AUTOLOGOUS Marrow-Derived Stem Cell-Seeded Gene-Supplemented Collagen Scaffolds for Spinal Cord Regeneration as a Treatment for Paralysis
Abstract
The long-term objective of this research is to develop a device for treating spinal cord injury. The specific aims of the proposed study are to test new types of collagen tubes and porous collagen scaffolds. Moreover, the authors will be investigating the effects of incorporating genes from nerve growth factors into the collagen scaffolds and seeding the scaffolds with marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The standardized defect site is a 5-mm gap in the rat thoracic spinal cord. Their principal method of evaluation is histomorphometry. During the past project year, the authors made progress in determining the effects of selected design variables on the reparative processes in spinal cord defects: (1) development of methods to fabricate collagen tubes and porous cylindrical scaffolds, (2) implantation of collagen tube devices into the rat spinal cord, (3) development of a method for the quantitative analysis of images of axons in the reparative tissue, and (4) implementation of methods for the isolation and growth of marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA448103
Entities
People
- Myron Spector
Organizations
- Boston VA Research Institute