Tissue-engineered neural complex seeded in modified collagen scaffold for treatment of acute spinal cord injury in adult rats / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To repair the injured spinal cord in adult rats using tissue-engineered neural complex constructed in vitro by tissue engineering techniques and discuss the treatment effect.Methods Neural stem cells (NSCs) from rats were cultured separately and modified collagen scaffold was also prepared to construct complex of NSCs /modified collagen scaffold in vitro.Embryo spine cord extract was administered to induce differentiation of NSCs,the structure of which was revealed by histochemical technique and scanning electron microscope.The rat models of hemisected spinal cord injury were built and grafted with tissue-engineered neural complex.Functional recovery of the models was evaluated every two weeks postoperatively.Effect in repair of spinal cord injury was assessed by histological method at postoperative three and eight weeks.Results After tissue-engineered neural complex planted in the modified collagen scaffold was grafted into the injured spinal cord in adult rats,the seed cells survived and further differentiated into functionally active neurons.The differentiated glia cells presented quite regular reticular structure.Motor function below the level of the injured spinal cord in adult rats obtained obvious recovery.Conclusion Tissue-engineered neural complex seeded in the modified collagen scaffold takes effect in structural reconstruction and functional recovery of the injured spinal cord in adult rats.