Teng, Yang D.Lavik, ErinQu, XianluPark, Kook I.Ourednik, JitkaZurakowski, DavidLanger, RobertSnyder, Evan Y.2021-03-192021-03-192002-03-05Yang D. Teng, Erin B. Lavik, Xianlu Qu, Kook I. Park, Jitka Ourednik, David Zurakowski, Robert Langer, Evan Y. Snyder, Functional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury mediated by a unique polymer scaffold seeded with neural stem cells, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Mar 2002, 99 (5) 3024-3029; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.052678899https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.052678899http://hdl.handle.net/11603/21193Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Mar 2002, 99 (5) 3024-3029To better direct repair following spinal cord injury (SCI), we designed an implant modeled after the intact spinal cord consisting of a multicomponent polymer scaffold seeded with neural stem cells. Implantation of the scaffold–neural stem cells unit into an adult rat hemisection model of SCI promoted long-term improvement in function (persistent for 1 year in some animals) relative to a lesion-control group. At 70 days postinjury, animals implanted with scaffold-plus-cells exhibited coordinated, weight-bearing hindlimb stepping. Histology and immunocytochemical analysis suggested that this recovery might be attributable partly to a reduction in tissue loss from secondary injury processes as well as in diminished glial scarring. Tract tracing demonstrated corticospinal tract fibers passing through the injury epicenter to the caudal cord, a phenomenon not present in untreated groups. Together with evidence of enhanced local GAP-43 expression not seen in controls, these findings suggest a possible regeneration component. These results may suggest a new approach to SCI and, more broadly, may serve as a prototype for multidisciplinary strategies against complex neurological problems7 pagesen-USThis item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.spinal cord injuryneural stem cellsmulticomponent polymer scaffoldfunctional long-term improvementText