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Review
. 2010 Jan;27(1):1-19.
doi: 10.1089/neu.2009.0948.

Biomaterial design strategies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries

Karin S Straley  1 , Cheryl Wong Po Foo, Sarah C Heilshorn
Affiliations
Review

Biomaterial design strategies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries

Karin S Straley et al. J Neurotrauma. 2010 Jan.

Abstract

The highly debilitating nature of spinal cord injuries has provided much inspiration for the design of novel biomaterials that can stimulate cellular regeneration and functional recovery. Many experts agree that the greatest hope for treatment of spinal cord injuries will involve a combinatorial approach that integrates biomaterial scaffolds, cell transplantation, and molecule delivery. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of biomaterial-scaffold design strategies currently being applied to the development of nerve guidance channels and hydrogels that more effectively stimulate spinal cord tissue regeneration. To enhance the regenerative capacity of these two scaffold types, researchers are focusing on optimizing the mechanical properties, cell-adhesivity, biodegradability, electrical activity, and topography of synthetic and natural materials, and are developing mechanisms to use these scaffolds to deliver cells and biomolecules. Developing scaffolds that address several of these key design parameters will lead to more successful therapies for the regeneration of spinal cord tissue.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Key design elements in the construction of nerve guidance channels (adapted from Huang and Huang, 2006).
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Key design elements in the construction of hydrogel scaffolds.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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