A novel biosynthetic hybrid scaffold seeded with olfactory ensheathing cells for treatment of spinal cord injuries.
BACKGROUND
Implantation of tissue-engineered scaffolds is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for inducing nerve regenerations following spinal cord injuries. In this paper, we report a novel bioengineered hybrid scaffold comprised of three major extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.


METHODS
ECM-scaffolds (ECM-S) were prepared by gelling fibrinogen, fibronectin and laminin using fresh rat plasma. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) were isolated from fresh rat olfactory mucosa, purified under differential adhesion, and assessed by immunofluorescent staining. OECs were seeded onto ECM-S and cultured. The effects of the scaffolds on the seeded cells were detected using the immunofluorescent staining, Western blotting, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Tissue-engineered ECM-S could be easily molded into mat-like or cylindrical shapes and gelled by addition of fresh plasma. Observations by electron microscopy show that the ECM-S forms a stable three-dimensional porous network. Studies on the effects of the ECM-S on the biological behaviors of OECs in vitro indicate that the scaffold can promote OEC adhesion, proliferation and process extensions. Additionally, OECs seeded on the scaffold maintained the expression of nerve growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-3 and matrix metalloproteinase-9.


CONCLUSIONS
We developed a biosynthetic hybrid gel which could be used as a scaffold for OEC transplantation; this gel can promote nerve regeneration following spinal cord injuries.
Qian
Lei-min
LM
Department of Gastroenterology, People's Hospital of Jiangyin, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214400, China. qianlm0921@ hotmail.com
Zhang
Zhi-jian
ZJ
Gong
Ai-hua
AH
Qin
Ru-juan
RJ
Sun
Xiang-lan
XL
Cao
Xu-dong
XD
Liu
Jin-bo
JB
Jiang
Ping
P
Chen
Yong-chang
YC
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D051381:Rats; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds