3D-printed frameworks guide repair cells from the spine to heal harm from spinal cord injury
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities research team has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of spinal cord injury recovery. They have combined 3D printing, stem cell biology, and lab-grown tissues to create a potential solution for repairing damage to the spinal cord structure.
The project, which received funding from the National Institutes of Health, the State of Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, and the Spinal Cord Society, brought together expertise across multiple disciplines, including mechanical engineering, neurosurgery, neuroscience, and physics.
Guebum Han, former University of Minnesota postdoctoral researcher and first author of the paper, explained that the team created a 3D-printed framework called an organoid scaffold, containing microscopic channels filled with spinal neural progenitor cells (sNPCs). These sNPCs, derived from human adult stem cells, can divide and transform into specific nerve cell types.
The scaffold not only supported cell survival but also enabled reconnection across a severe injury. In a study conducted on rats with completely severed spinal cords, the new neurons integrated smoothly with existing nerve circuits. Over time, the sNPCs developed into neurons, and the rats showed significant functional recovery as the connections strengthened.
Ann Parr, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota, stated that regenerative medicine has brought about a new era in spinal cord injury research. She added that the breakthrough method holds the potential to help people regain function after paralysis. More than 300,000 Americans live with spinal cord injuries, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, making this discovery a significant step forward.
The researchers plan to scale up production and refine the technology for clinical trials. Han, who now works at Intel Corporation, added that the method creates a relay system that bypasses the damaged area in the spinal cord. This innovative approach offers hope for those affected by spinal cord injuries and could potentially revolutionise the treatment of this debilitating condition.
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