Stem-cell tissue scaffold for spinal-repair constructed using polymers from PolySciTech

An exciting application of biodegradable polymer technology is the regeneration of new tissue using an appropriate scaffold seeded with mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, researchers utilized PLGA from PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) (PolyVivo cat# AP045) as part of a scaffold system to support the regrowth of spinal cord tissue using stem cells. This research holds promise for potentially repairing spinal breaks as a treatment for paralysis. Read more: Ropper, Alexander E., Devang K. Thakor, InBo Han, Dou Yu, Xiang Zeng, Jamie E. Anderson, Zaid Aljuboori et al. "Defining recovery neurobiology of injured spinal cord by synthetic matrix-assisted hMSC implantation." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017): 201616340. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2017/01/12/1616340114.short

“Abstract: Mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from adult tissues offer tangible potential for regenerative medicine, given their feasibility for autologous transplantation. MSC research shows encouraging results in experimental stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and neurotrauma models. However, further translational progress has been hampered by poor MSC graft survival, jeopardizing cellular and molecular bases for neural repair in vivo. We have devised an adult human bone marrow MSC (hMSC) delivery formula by investigating molecular events involving hMSCs incorporated in a uniquely designed poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid scaffold, a clinically safe polymer, following inflammatory exposures in a dorsal root ganglion organotypic coculture system. Also, in rat T9–T10 hemisection spinal cord injury (SCI), we demonstrated that the tailored scaffolding maintained hMSC stemness, engraftment, and led to robust motosensory improvement, neuropathic pain and tissue damage mitigation, and myelin preservation. The scaffolded nontransdifferentiated hMSCs exerted multimodal effects of neurotrophism, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, antiautoimmunity, and antiinflammation. Hindlimb locomotion was restored by reestablished integrity of submidbrain circuits of serotonergic reticulospinal innervation at lumbar levels, the propriospinal projection network, neuromuscular junction, and central pattern generator, providing a platform for investigating molecular events underlying the repair impact of nondifferentiated hMSCs. Our approach enabled investigation of recovery neurobiology components for injured adult mammalian spinal cord that are different from those involved in normal neural function. The uncovered neural circuits and their molecular and cellular targets offer a biological underpinning for development of clinical rehabilitation therapies to treat disabilities and complications of SCI. Keywords: spinal cord injury recovery, neurobiology, mesenchymal stromal stem cell, PLGA, locomotion.”.