Electrospinning Device: Silk fibroin scaffold combined with neural stem cells promotes neural regeneration after spinal cord injury

Background

After 3D printing and freeze drying, the 3D-CF scaffold showed a porous structure, and these pores provided space for cells to grow. The scaffold was completely degraded within 4 weeks after implantation in rats, indicating that it has good biocompatibility and degradability.

Interaction between neural stem cells (NSCs) and 3D-CF scaffolds

NSCs can adhere, survive and grow well on the surface and pores of 3D-CF scaffolds, showing that 3D-CF scaffolds have excellent biocompatibility. The microscopic porous structure of the scaffold provides a suitable growth environment for NSCs, which is conducive to the regeneration of nerve fibers.

3D printed scaffolds promote neurological function recovery

Studies have shown that the 3D-CF+NSCs group performed better than other groups in neurological function scores, motor evoked potential tests, magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging, showing that 3D printed scaffolds combined with NSCs transplantation can significantly promote neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury.

3D printed scaffolds fill the cavities at the injury site and promote nerve fiber regeneration

3D-CF scaffolds help fill the cavities after spinal cord injury and promote the regeneration of nerve fibers. Compared with the spinal cord injury group alone, the 3D-CF+NSCs group showed more abundant regenerated axons and less glial scar formation, indicating that the 3D-CF scaffold helps to inhibit the growth of glial scars while promoting axon pathfinding and neural network reconstruction.

Application prospects of electrospinning equipment

Electrospinning technology can prepare nanofibers, which have good biocompatibility and drug carrier properties, and are suitable for manufacturing tissue engineering scaffolds, drug sustained release systems, and biosensors. In 3D printed scaffolds, electrospinning technology can be used to prepare nanofibers with specific structures and functions, enhance the mechanical properties and bioactivity of scaffolds, and thus improve their application effect in neural regeneration.

Conclusion

3D bioprinted 3D-CF scaffolds combined with NSCs transplantation are an effective method for spinal cord injury repair. This scaffold not only provides a structural basis and promotes the reconstruction of neural networks, but also inhibits the growth of glial scars, providing a good direction for axon pathfinding during spinal cord injury repair. Electrospinning equipment has potential application value in the preparation of such scaffolds, which can provide a finer fiber structure and further improve the performance of the scaffold.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31719263/