The support of neural stem cells transplanted into stroke-induced brain cavities by PLGA particles

Stroke causes extensive cellular loss that leads to a disintegration of the afflicted brain tissue. Although transplanted neural stem cells can recover some of the function lost after stroke, recovery is incomplete and restoration of lost tissue is minimal. The challenge therefore is to provide transplanted cells with matrix support in order to optimise their ability to engraft the damaged tissue. We here demonstrate that plasma polymerised allylamine (ppAAm)-treated poly(d,l-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold particles can act as a structural support for neural stem cells injected directly through a needle into the lesion cavity using magnetic resonance imaging-derived co-ordinates. Upon implantation, the neuro-scaffolds integrate efficiently within host tissue forming a primitive neural tissue. These neuro-scaffolds could therefore be a more advanced method to enhance brain repair. This study provides a substantial step in the technology development required for the translation of this approach.