title: Subacute Tissue Response to 3D Graphene Oxide Scaffolds Implanted in the Injured Rat Spinal Cord.
abstract: The increasing prevalence and high sanitary costs of lesions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) at the spinal cord are encouraging experts in different fields to explore new avenues for neural repair. In this context, graphene and its derivatives are attracting significant attention, although their toxicity and performance in the CNS in vivo remains unclear. Here, the subacute tissue response to 3D flexible and porous scaffolds composed of partially reduced graphene oxide is investigated when implanted in the injured rat spinal cord. The interest of these structures as potentially useful platforms for CNS regeneration mainly relies on their mechanical compliance with neural tissues, adequate biocompatibility with neural cells in vitro and versatility to carry topographical and biological guidance cues. Early tissue responses are thoroughly investigated locally (spinal cord at C6 level) and in the major organs (i.e., kidney, liver, lung, and spleen). The absence of local and systemic toxic responses, along with the positive signs found at the lesion site (e.g., filler effect, soft interface for no additional scaring, preservation of cell populations at the perilesional area, presence of M2 macrophages), encourages further investigation of these materials as promising components of more efficient material-based platforms for CNS repair.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), Finca de La Peraleda s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López-Dolado
authors.affiliation: Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), Finca de La Peraleda s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: Ankor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Mayorga
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Portolés
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Feito
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Del Monte
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María Concepción
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.affiliation: Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos (SESCAM), Finca de La Peraleda s/n, 45071, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: María Concepción
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Serrano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D006108:Graphite
keywords: graphene oxide; scaffolds; spinal cord injury; tissue response; toxicity