Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a major impact on affected patients due to its pathological consequences and absence of capacity for self-repair. Currently available therapies are unable to restore lost neural functions. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop novel treatments that will promote functional repair after SCI. Several experimental approaches have been explored to tackle SCI, including the combination of stem cells and 3D bioprinting. Implanted multipotent stem cells with self-renewing capacity and the ability to differentiate to a diversity of cell types are promising candidates for replacing dead cells in injured sites and restoring disrupted neural circuits. However, implanted stem cells need protection from the inflammatory agents in the injured area and support to guide them to appropriate differentiation. Not only are 3D bioprinted scaffolds able to protect stem cells, but they can also promote their differentiation and functional integration at the site of injury. In this review, we showcase some recent advances in the use of stem cells for the treatment of SCI, different types of 3D bioprinting methods, and the combined application of stem cells and 3D bioprinting technique for effective repair of SCI.
Highlights
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in irreversible loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions [1]
The results of this study revealed that only mice treated with spinal cord-type neural progenitor cells (NPCs) showed an improvement in their motor recovery, and the other types of cells could not exhibit any significant effect on SCI treatment [40]
Neural tissue engineering is an interesting field of science that could facilitate function recovery at the injured site of the nervous system via the use of therapeutic agents
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in irreversible loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions [1]. The combinatory approach of using 3D printed scaffolds and stem cells could be more effective in improving motor function in SCI than using a single therapeutic method [10]. This combined therapy could enhance cell proliferation and neural differentiation in vitro while reducing inflammation and the formation of a cavity in vivo. This method shows an anti-inflammatory effect via suppressing the activated microglia or macrophages in the injury site [11]. A combinational approach using implantable platforms and stem cell therapy could provide novel and promising strategies for future studies and show potential for safe applications in further clinical trials
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