Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (30): 4876-4882.doi: 10.12307/2023.503

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Functional characteristics of three-dimensional biological scaffolds for repairing injured spinal cord

Jiu Jingwei1, 2, Liu Haifeng1, 2, Wang Guishan2, Li Dijun2, Yan Lei1, 2, Zhao Bin1, 2, Wang Bin2, 3   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China; 2Shanxi Key Laboratory of Bone and Soft Tissue Repair, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China; 3Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
  • Received:2022-06-06 Accepted:2022-08-24 Online:2023-10-28 Published:2023-04-03
  • Contact: Zhao Bin, MD, Chief physician, Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Bone and Soft Tissue Repair, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China Wang Bin, PhD, Associate chief physician, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Bone and Soft Tissue Repair, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China; Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China
  • About author:Jiu Jingwei, Master candidate, Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Bone and Soft Tissue Repair, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China Liu Haifeng, Doctoral candidate, Department of Orthopedics, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Bone and Soft Tissue Repair, Taiyuan 030000, Shanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the Central Government Guides Local Science and Technology Development Funds, No. YDZX20201400001738 (to WB); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81802204 (to WB); Major Scientific and Technological Research Special Project of Shanxi Provincial Health Commission, No. 2020XM11 (to ZB)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury can result in irreversible tissue damage and persistent sensorimotor impairment. Treatment of spinal cord injury is a significant problem that has piqued clinical scientists’ interest. Biomimetic three-dimensional scaffolds have shown to be a viable option for nervous system repair. 3D biological scaffolds of various sizes and forms can be swiftly produced to perfectly regulate the relative spatial structure of its materials and cells, in order to better imitate the relative anatomical location of the spinal cord, using biological 3D printing.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize research progress of 3D biological scaffolds in the field of tissue repair and regeneration after spinal cord injury.
METHODS: Using the Chinese and English search terms “biology 3D printing, biological scaffold, three dimensional scaffold, spinal cord injury”, CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and EMbase databases were searched for articles concerning 3D biological scaffolds combined with stem cell transplantation in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Totally 67 articles were eventually included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Biological 3D printing technology can produce 3D biological scaffolds that are more consistent with spinal cord tissue than the spatial structure and cell distribution of traditional biological scaffolds. It makes better use of the properties of each material and cell to make the synthetic spinal cord more similar to natural spinal cord tissue. However, the selection of materials and cells for bio-inks remains a challenge. (2) This paper summarizes the main role of 3D biological scaffolds loaded with different materials and cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Collagen has an extraordinary effect on reducing glial scar and reducing the formation of spinal cord vacuoles. Gelatin has better biocompatibility, which can better ensure the survival of transplanted cells. The anti-inflammatory effect of alginate has a good effect on the microenvironment changes after spinal cord injury. Hyaluronic acid can not only promote neural differentiation but also promote the formation of neural network. Chitosan has obvious advantages in vascular reconstruction. (3) The mechanism of effects of 3D biological scaffolds in the treatment of different types and stages of spinal cord injury remains to be further studied. 

Key words: biology 3D printing, 3D biological scaffold, spinal cord injury, collagen, gelatin, alginate, hyaluronic acid, chitosan, mesenchymal stem cell, neural stem cell

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