Gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel scaffold loaded with activated Schwann cells attenuates apoptosis and promotes functional recovery following spinal cord injury

  • Authors:
    • Yang Liu
    • Hao Yu
    • Peng Yu
    • Peng Peng
    • Chao Li
    • Zhenyang Xiang
    • Dexiang Ban
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 15, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.11843
  • Article Number: 144
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Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a refractory disease of the central nervous system with a high disability and incidence rate. In recent years, bioactive material combined with cell transplantation has been considered an effective method for the treatment of SCI. The present study encapsulated activated Schwann cells (ASCs) in a 3D gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel in order to investigate its therapeutic effects on SCI. ASCs were isolated from previously ligated rat sciatic nerves. Scanning electron microscopy and live/dead staining were used to evaluate the biocompatibility of hydrogels with the ASCs. The scaffold was transplanted into the spinal cord of rats in the hemisection model. Behavioral tests and hematoxylin and eosin staining were employed to assess the locomotion recovery and lesion areas before and after treatment. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL staining and immunochemistry, and apoptosis‑related protein expression was detected using western blot analysis. The ASCs exhibited a favorable survival and proliferative ability in the 3D GelMA hydrogel. The scaffold transplantation significantly reduced the cavities and improved functional recovery. Moreover, the GelMA/ASCs implants significantly inhibited cell apoptosis following SCI and this effect may be mediated via the p38 MAPK pathway. Overall, these findings indicated that ASCs combined with the 3D GelMA hydrogel may be a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI.
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April-2023
Volume 25 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Liu Y, Yu H, Yu P, Peng P, Li C, Xiang Z and Ban D: Gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel scaffold loaded with activated Schwann cells attenuates apoptosis and promotes functional recovery following spinal cord injury. Exp Ther Med 25: 144, 2023
APA
Liu, Y., Yu, H., Yu, P., Peng, P., Li, C., Xiang, Z., & Ban, D. (2023). Gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel scaffold loaded with activated Schwann cells attenuates apoptosis and promotes functional recovery following spinal cord injury. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 25, 144. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.11843
MLA
Liu, Y., Yu, H., Yu, P., Peng, P., Li, C., Xiang, Z., Ban, D."Gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel scaffold loaded with activated Schwann cells attenuates apoptosis and promotes functional recovery following spinal cord injury". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 25.4 (2023): 144.
Chicago
Liu, Y., Yu, H., Yu, P., Peng, P., Li, C., Xiang, Z., Ban, D."Gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel scaffold loaded with activated Schwann cells attenuates apoptosis and promotes functional recovery following spinal cord injury". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 25, no. 4 (2023): 144. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.11843