Spinal Cord Injury Management through the Combination of Stem Cells and Implantable 3D Bioprinted Platforms

Cells, 2021 · DOI: 10.3390/cells10113189 · Published: November 16, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Biomedical Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) severely impact patients due to the body's limited ability to repair itself. Current treatments aren't able to fully restore lost neural functions. Therefore, new therapies combining stem cells and 3D bioprinting are being explored to promote repair after SCI. Implanted stem cells can replace dead cells and restore neural circuits. However, they need protection from inflammation and guidance for proper differentiation. 3D bioprinted scaffolds offer both protection and promotion of differentiation for stem cells at the injury site. This review discusses recent progress in using stem cells for SCI treatment, various 3D bioprinting techniques, and the combined application of these methods for effective SCI repair.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Stem cells have self-renewing capabilities making them suitable for SCI treatment, however, their application is limited due to ethical issues, immune rejection and limited sources.
2
Different stem cells (embryonic, induced pluripotent, mesenchymal, neural) have been applied to restore spinal cord injuries.
3
3D bioprinted scaffolds can mimic the structure of the extracellular matrix, promote cell growth and tissue regeneration, improve axon regrowth, and restore neural circuitry in SCI.

Research Summary

This review explores the potential of combining stem cells and 3D bioprinted scaffolds for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. Current SCI therapies are inadequate, creating a need for new approaches. Stem cells can regenerate damaged tissue but require protection and guidance, which 3D bioprinted scaffolds can provide, promoting cell differentiation and integration at the injury site. The review covers various stem cell types used in SCI therapy, different 3D bioprinting methods, and recent advances in their combined application, highlighting this approach as a promising strategy for future clinical trials.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Advancements

The combination of stem cells and 3D bioprinted scaffolds offers a novel therapeutic approach for SCI, potentially overcoming limitations of current treatments.

Regenerative Medicine

This combined therapy can enhance cell proliferation and neural differentiation while reducing inflammation and cavity formation in vivo, promoting tissue regeneration.

Clinical Translation

The approach shows promise for safe applications in future clinical trials, offering new strategies for SCI management.

Study Limitations

1
Ethical issues, immune rejection, and limited sources of stem cells.
2
Challenges in maintaining the viability and promoting the differentiation of stem cells within bioprinted scaffolds.
3
Need for optimization of bioinks and methods for the combined use of 3D bioprinted scaffolds and stem cells in clinical trials.

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