Effects of oxygen generating scaffolds on cell survival and functional recovery following acute spinal cord injury in rats

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2020 Nov 28;31(12):115. doi: 10.1007/s10856-020-06453-y.

Abstract

Persistent local oxygen delivery is crucial to create a microenvironment for cell survival and nerve regeneration in acute spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to fabricate calcium peroxide-based microspheres incorporated into a 3-D construct scaffold as a novel oxygen release therapy for SCI. The scaffolds were able to generate oxygen over the course of 21 days when incubated under hypoxic conditions. In vitro, GFP-labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were planted into the scaffolds. We observed that scaffolds could enhance MSC survival under hypoxic conditions for more than 21 days. Oxygen generating scaffolds were transplanted into spinal cord injury sites of rats in vivo. Twelve weeks following transplantation, cavity areas in the injury/graft site were significantly reduced due to tissue regeneration. Additionally, the oxygen generating scaffolds improved revascularization as observed through vWF immunostaining. A striking feature was the occurrence of nerve fiber regeneration in the lesion sites, which eventually led to significant locomotion recovery. The present results indicate that the oxygen generating scaffolds have the property of sustained local oxygen release, thus facilitating regeneration in injured spinal cords.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible* / chemistry
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible* / pharmacokinetics
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible* / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration* / instrumentation
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration* / methods
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Microspheres
  • Nerve Regeneration / drug effects
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Oxygen / pharmacokinetics*
  • Oxygen / pharmacology
  • Peroxides / chemistry
  • Peroxides / pharmacokinetics
  • Peroxides / pharmacology
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / chemistry
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / pharmacokinetics
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Recovery of Function / physiology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / therapy
  • Tissue Scaffolds* / chemistry

Substances

  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Peroxides
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • calcium peroxide
  • Oxygen