Implantation of a Matrigel-loaded agarose scaffold promotes functional regeneration of axons after spinal cord injury in rat

作者：Han Sungmin; Lee Jee Youn; Heo Eun Young; Kwon Il Keun; Yune Tae Young^*; Youn Inchan^*

来源：Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2018, 496(3): 785-791.

DOI：10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.01.157

• Spinal cord injury
• Corticospinal tract
• Agarose scaffold
• Functional connectivity
• Regeneration

An agarose scaffold can be useful for supporting and guiding injured axons after spinal cord injury (SCI), but the electrophysiological signal of regenerated axon in scaffolds has not yet been determined. The current study investigated whether a Matrigel-loaded agarose scaffold would enhance the regeneration of axons after SCI. Moreover, the functional connectivity of regenerated axons within the channels of the scaffold was evaluated by directly recording motor evoked potentials. Our data showed that the agarose scaffold containing Matrigel can support and enhance linearly organized axon regeneration after SCI. Additionally, motor evoked potenti.ils were successfully recorded from regenerated axons. These results demonstrate that an agarose scaffold loaded with Matrigel could promote the regeneration of axons and guide the reconnection of functional axons after SCI.

• 出版日期2018-2-12