title: Neural stem/progenitor cell-laden microfibers promote transplant survival in a mouse transected spinal cord injury model.
abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) into the lesioned spinal cord can promote functional recovery following incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) in animal models. However, this strategy is insufficient following complete SCI because of the gap at the lesion epicenter. To obtain functional recovery in a mouse model of complete SCI, this study uses a novel collagen-based microfiber as a scaffold for engrafted NS/PCs. We hypothesized that the NS/PC-microfiber combination would facilitate lesion closure as well as transplant survival in the transected spinal cord. NS/PCs were seeded inside the novel microfibers, where they maintained their capacity to differentiate and proliferate. After transplantation, the stumps of the transected spinal cord were successfully bridged by the NS/PC-laden microfibers. Moreover, the transplanted cells migrated into the host spinal cord and differentiated into three neural lineages (astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes). However, the NS/PC-laden scaffold could not achieve a neural connection between the rostral end of the injury and the intact caudal area of the spinal cord, nor could it achieve recovery of motor function. To obtain optimal functional recovery, a microfiber design with a modified composition may be useful. Furthermore, combinatorial therapy with rehabilitation and/or medications should also be considered for practical success of biomaterial/cell transplantation-based approaches to regenerative medicine.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.|Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Keiko
authors: K
authors: Sugai
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Soraya
authors: S
authors: Nishimura
authors: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.|Takeuchi Biohybrid Innovation Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Midori
authors: M
authors: Kato-Negishi
authors: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.|Takeuchi Biohybrid Innovation Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hiroaki
authors: H
authors: Onoe
authors: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.|Takeuchi Biohybrid Innovation Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Shintaroh
authors: S
authors: Iwanaga
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yoshiaki
authors: Y
authors: Toyama
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Morio
authors: M
authors: Matsumoto
authors: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.|Takeuchi Biohybrid Innovation Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Japan Science and Technology, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Shoji
authors: S
authors: Takeuchi
authors: Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hideyuki
authors: H
authors: Okano
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Masaya
authors: M
authors: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins
keywords: biomaterial; microfiber; neural stem/progenitor cell; spinal cord injury