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Tissue-Engineered Regeneration of Hemisected Spinal Cord Using Human Endometrial Stem Cells, Poly ε-Caprolactone Scaffolds, and Crocin as a Neuroprotective Agent

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Abstract

Loss of motor and sensory function as a result of neuronal cell death and axonal degeneration are the hallmarks of spinal cord injury. To overcome the hurdles and achieve improved functional recovery multiple aspects, it must be taken into account. Tissue engineering approaches by coalescing biomaterials and stem cells offer a promising future for treating spinal cord injury. Here we investigated human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) as our cell source. Electrospun poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were used for hEnSC adhesion and growth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the attachment and survival of stem cells on the PCL scaffolds. The scaffold-stem cell construct was transplanted into the hemisected spinal cords of adult male rats. Crocin, an ethanol-extractable component of Crocus sativus L., was administered to rats for 15 consecutive days post injury. Neurite outgrowth and axonal regeneration were investigated using immunohistochemical staining for neurofilament marker NF-H and luxol-fast blue (LFB) staining, respectively. TNF-α staining was performed to determine the inflammatory response in each group. Functional recovery was assessed via the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale. Results showed that PCL scaffolds seeded with hEnSCs restored the continuity of the damaged spinal cord and decreased cavity formation. Additionally, hEnSC-seeded scaffolds contributed to the functional recovery of the spinal cord. Hence, hEnSC-seeded PCL scaffolds may serve as promising transplants for spinal cord tissue engineering purposes. Furthermore, crocin had an augmenting effect on spinal cord regeneration and proved to exert neuroprotective effects on damaged neurons and may be further studied as a promising drug for spinal cord injury.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, University College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Panieh Terraf & Shideh Montasser Kouhsari

  2. Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Medical Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Research Center for Science and Technology in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Jafar Ai & Hamideh Babaloo

Authors
  1. Panieh Terraf
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  2. Shideh Montasser Kouhsari
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  3. Jafar Ai
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  4. Hamideh Babaloo
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Correspondence to Shideh Montasser Kouhsari.

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Terraf, P., Kouhsari, S.M., Ai, J. et al. Tissue-Engineered Regeneration of Hemisected Spinal Cord Using Human Endometrial Stem Cells, Poly ε-Caprolactone Scaffolds, and Crocin as a Neuroprotective Agent. Mol Neurobiol 54, 5657–5667 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-016-0089-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-016-0089-7

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