Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5435095 | Materials Science and Engineering: C | 2017 | 7 Pages |
â¢We introduced a silk fibroin (SF)-based neurobridge as scaffold enriched with/without nerve growth factor (NGF).â¢NGF released from alginate (Alg) microspheres on SF scaffold to the central lesion site of SCI.â¢The sparing of spinal cord tissue and the number of surviving neurons were increased.â¢This optimal multi-disciplinary approach offers a promising treatment for the injured spinal cord.
Neurons loss and axons degeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) gradually give rise to result in functional motor and sensory impairment. A bridging biomaterial scaffold that allows the axons to grow through has been investigated for the repair of injured spinal cord. In this study, we introduced a silk fibroin (SF)-based neurobridge as scaffold enriched with/without nerve growth factor (NGF) that can be utilized as a therapeutic approach for spinal cord repair. NGF released from alginate (Alg) microspheres on SF scaffold (SF/Alg composites scaffolds) to the central lesion site of SCI significantly enhanced the sparing of spinal cord tissue and increased the number of surviving neurons. This optimal multi-disciplinary approach of combining biomaterials, controlled-release microspheres and neurotrophic factors offers a promising treatment for the injured spinal cord.
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