abstract
A spinal cord injury (SCI) can be caused by unforeseen events such as a fall, a vehicle accident, a gunshot, or a malignant illness, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of the patient. Due to the limited regenerative potential of the central nervous system (CNS), SCI is one of the most daunting medical challenges of modern medicine. Great advances have been made in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, which include the transition from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) biomaterials. Combinatory treatments that use 3D scaffolds may significantly enhance the repair and regeneration of functional neural tissue. In an effort to mimic the chemical and physical properties of neural tissue, scientists are researching the development of the ideal scaffold made of synthetic and/or natural polymers. Moreover, in order to restore the architecture and function of neural networks, 3D scaffolds with anisotropic properties that replicate the native longitudinal orientation of spinal cord nerve fibres are being designed. In an effort to determine if scaffold anisotropy is a crucial property for neural tissue regeneration, this review focuses on the most current technological developments relevant to anisotropic scaffolds for SCI. Special consideration is given to the architectural characteristics of scaffolds containing axially oriented fibres, channels, and pores. By analysing neural cell behaviour in vitro and tissue integration and functional recovery in animal models of SCI, the therapeutic efficacy is evaluated for its successes and limitations.
keywords
NEURAL STEM-CELLS; MULTIPLE-CHANNEL BRIDGES; TEMPLATED AGAROSE SCAFFOLDS; ELECTROSPUN FIBER DIAMETER; COLLAGEN SCAFFOLD; AXONAL REGENERATION; FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY; GUIDANCE SCAFFOLDS; IN-VITRO; NEURONAL DIFFERENTIATION
subject category
Materials Science
authors
Sousa, JPM; Stratakis, E; Mano, J; Marques, PAAP
our authors
João Mano
Vice Directoracknowledgements
This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 829060 and the Portuguese following funding: UIDB/00481/2020 and UIDP/00481/2020-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) and CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-022083-Centro Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Centro2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund. J.S.thanks FCT for the Ph.D. grant SFRH/BD/144579/2019.