Advances in regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury: a biomaterials approach

Tsintou, Magdalini; Dalamagkas, Kyriakos; Seifalian, Alexander M.

doi:10.4103/1673-5374.156966

Cited by 127 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 145 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The sections presented subsequently are not meant to be comprehensive reviews but a general overview. For comprehensive reviews focusing on specific categories of biomaterials and providing a more thorough analysis of different biomaterial strategies under development for repair of the injured spinal cord refer to [Haggerty, and Oudega, 2013; Krishna et al, 2013; Macaya, and Spector, 2012; Pakulska et al, 2012; Perale et al, 2011; Schaub et al, 2015a; Straley et al, 2010; Tsintou et al, 2015]. The next sections present different biomaterial approaches either as being non-directional (unable to direct the extension of regenerating axons) or directional, and the results of such approaches when employed within an animal model of SCI.…”

Section: Spinal Cord Injurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrospun Fibers for Drug Delivery after Spinal Cord Injury and the Effects of Drug Incorporation on Fiber Properties

Johnson¹,

D’Amato²,

Gilbert³

2016

Cells Tissues Organs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is currently no cure for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). While many promising approaches are being tested in clinical trials, the complexity of SCI limits several of these approaches from aiding complete functional recovery. Several different categories of biomaterials are investigated for their ability to guide axonal regeneration, to deliver proteins or small molecules locally, or to improve the viability of transplanted stem cells. The purpose of this study is to provide a brief overview of SCI, present the different categories of biomaterial scaffolds that direct and guide axonal regeneration, and then focus specifically on electrospun fiber guidance scaffolds. Much like other polymer guidance approaches, electrospun fibers can retain and deliver therapeutic drugs. The experimental section presents new data showing the incorporation of two therapeutic drugs into electrospun poly-L-lactic acid fibers. Two different concentrations of either riluzole or neurotrophin-3 were loaded into the electrospun fibers to examine the effect of drug concentration on the physical characteristics of the fibers (fiber alignment and fiber diameter). Overall, the drugs were successfully incorporated into the fibers and the release was related to the loading concentration. The fiber diameter decreased with the inclusion of the drug, and the decreased diameter was correlated with a decrease in fiber alignment. Subsequently, the study includes considerations for successful incorporation of a therapeutic drug without changing the physical properties of the fibers.

show abstract

Section: Spinal Cord Injurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrospun Fibers for Drug Delivery after Spinal Cord Injury and the Effects of Drug Incorporation on Fiber Properties

Johnson¹,

D’Amato²,

Gilbert³

2016

Cells Tissues Organs

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These conditions range from spinal cord injuries necessitating neuroregeneration [59, 60], to myocardial infarctions requiring prompt cardiac tissue repair [61, 62]. In this perspective, we discussed some of the major materials-based strategies and considerations when developing scaffolds for regenerative engineering applications.…”

Section: Conclusion and Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vision for Functionally Decorated and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Regenerative Engineering

Clegg

Wechsler

Peppas

2017

Regen. Eng. Transl. Med.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The emerging field of regenerative engineering offers a great challenge and an even greater opportunity for materials scientists and engineers. How can we develop materials that are highly porous to permit cellular infiltration, yet possess sufficient mechanical integrity to mimic native tissues? How can we retain and deliver bioactive molecules to drive cell organization, proliferation, and differentiation in a predictable manner? In the following perspective, we highlight recent studies that have demonstrated the vital importance of each of these questions, as well as many others pertaining to scaffold development. We posit hybrid materials synthesized by molecular decoration and molecular imprinting as intelligent biomaterials for regenerative engineering applications. These materials have potential to present cell adhesion molecules and soluble growth factors with fine-tuned spatial and temporal control, in response to both cell-driven and external triggers. Future studies in this area will address a pertinent clinical need, expand the existing repertoire of medical materials, and improve the field’s understanding of how cells and materials respond to one another.

show abstract

“…These substances can also be introduced in the form of stem cells directly injected into the cavity or exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells. The rationale for using these materials is that they will produce neuronal bridging, i.e., filling-in, and thus will generate connectivity across the lesion (10,34–41) (Figure 2). …”

Section: The Missing Link: Non-human Primate Models For Motor Circuitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing Research in Regeneration and Repair of the Motor Circuitry: Non-Human Primate Models and Imaging Scales as the Missing Links for Successfully Translating Injectable Therapeutics to the Clinic

Tsintou¹

2016

Int J Stem Cell Res Ther

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Regeneration and repair is the ultimate goal of therapeutics in trauma of the central nervous system (CNS). Stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI) are two highly prevalent CNS disorders that remain incurable, despite numerous research studies and the clinical need for effective treatments. Neural engineering is a diverse biomedical field, that addresses these diseases using new approaches. Research in the field involves principally rodent models and biologically active, biodegradable hydrogels. Promising results have been reported in preclinical studies of CNS repair, demonstrating the great potential for the development of new treatments for the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury. Several obstacles stand in the way of clinical translation of neuroregeneration research. There seems to be a key gap in the translation of research from rodent models to human applications, namely non-human primate models, which constitute a critical bridging step. Applying injectable therapeutics and multimodal neuroimaging in stroke lesions using experimental rhesus monkey models is an avenue that a few research groups have begun to embark on. Understanding and assessing the changes that the injured brain or spinal cord undergoes after an intervention with biodegradable hydrogels in non-human primates seem to represent critical preclinical research steps. Existing innovative models in non-human primates allow us to evaluate the potential of neural engineering and injectable hydrogels. The results of these preliminary studies will pave the way for translating this research into much needed clinical therapeutic approaches. Cutting edge imaging technology using Connectome scanners represents a tremendous advancement, enabling the in vivo, detailed, high-resolution evaluation of these therapeutic interventions in experimental animals. Most importantly, they also allow quantifiable and clinically meaningful correlations with humans, increasing the translatability of these innovations to the bedside.

show abstract

Advances in regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury: a biomaterials approach

Cited by 127 publications

References 145 publications

Electrospun Fibers for Drug Delivery after Spinal Cord Injury and the Effects of Drug Incorporation on Fiber Properties

Electrospun Fibers for Drug Delivery after Spinal Cord Injury and the Effects of Drug Incorporation on Fiber Properties

Vision for Functionally Decorated and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Regenerative Engineering

Advancing Research in Regeneration and Repair of the Motor Circuitry: Non-Human Primate Models and Imaging Scales as the Missing Links for Successfully Translating Injectable Therapeutics to the Clinic

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About