Ultrasound-Assisted Acellular Spinal Cord Scaffold for Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment remains challenging globally, with limited breakthroughs. Tissue engineering offers promise, particularly using acellular spinal cord scaffolds. This study developed a 1-ethyl-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)-crosslinked vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-modified acellular spinal cord scaffold for sustained VEGF release. The results show sustained VEGF release over 20 days without altering the scaffold’s properties. Enhanced stability and mechanical properties were observed without increased cytotoxicity. In a rat SCI model, the system improved motor function, reduced glial scarring, and restored spinal cord morphology and histology, indicating potential for SCI therapy.