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 we 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. Our principal method of evaluation is histomorphometry. During the past project year the following were accomplished toward achieving the objectives determining the effects of selected design variables on the reparative processes in spinal cord defects: 1) produce oriented pore in the porous collagen scaffold 2) non-virally transfect undifferentiated marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in monolayer with plasmid DNA encoding a neurotrophic fador 3) supplement the collagen scaffold with plasmid DNA and 4) transfect MSCs grown in the gene-supplemented collagen scaffold with plasmid DNA for a neurotrophic factor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA466655
Entities
People
- Myron Spector
Organizations
- Boston VA Research Institute