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  • Channel density and porosity of degradable bridging scaffolds on axon growth after spinal injury.

Channel density and porosity of degradable bridging scaffolds on axon growth after spinal injury.

Biomaterials (2013-01-08)
Aline M Thomas, Matthew B Kubilius, Samantha J Holland, Stephanie K Seidlits, Ryan M Boehler, Aileen J Anderson, Brian J Cummings, Lonnie D Shea
ABSTRACT

Bridges implanted into the injured spinal cord function to stabilize the injury, while also supporting and directing axon growth. The architecture of the bridge is critical to its function, with pores to support cell infiltration that integrates the implant with the host and channels to direct axon elongation. Here, we developed a sucrose fiber template to create poly(lactide-co-glycolide) multiple channel bridges for implantation into a lateral hemisection that had a 3-fold increase in channel number relative to previous bridges and an overall porosity ranging from approximately 70%-90%. Following implantation into rat and mouse models, axons were observed within channels for all conditions. The axon density within the bridge increased nearly 7-fold relative to previous bridges with fewer channels. Furthermore, increasing the bridge porosity substantially increased the number of axons, which correlated with the extent of cell infiltration throughout the bridge. Analysis of these cell types identified an increased presence of mature oligodendrocytes within the bridge at higher porosities. These results demonstrate that channels and bridge porosity influence the re-growth of axons through the injury. These bridges provide a platform technology capable of being combined with the delivery of regenerative factors for the ultimate goal of achieving functional recovery.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 504 H, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), acid terminated, lactide:glycolide 50:50, Mw 38,000-54,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 505, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), ester terminated, Mw 54,000-69,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-Neurofilament 145 kDa Antibody, CT, clone 3H11, clone 3H11, Chemicon®, from mouse
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), lactide:glycolide 65:35, Mw 40,000-75,000
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Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), lactide:glycolide (75:25), mol wt 66,000-107,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), lactide:glycolide (50:50), mol wt 30,000-60,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 503, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), lactide:glycolide 50:50, ester terminated, Mw 24,000-38,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 504, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), lactide:glycolide 50:50, ester terminated, Mw 38,000-54,000
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Resomer® RG 858 S, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), ester terminated, lactide:glycolide 85:15, Mw 190,000-240,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 756 S, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), ester terminated, lactide:glycolide 75:25, Mw 76,000-115,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), ester terminated, Mw 50,000-75,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 752 H, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), acid terminated, lactide:glycolide 75:25, Mw 4,000-15,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 653 H, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), acid terminated, Mw 24,000-38,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 503 H, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), acid terminated, lactide:glycolide 50:50, Mw 24,000-38,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 502, Poly(D,L-Lactide-co-Glycolide), lactide:glycolide 50:50, ester terminated, Mw 7,000-17,000
Sigma-Aldrich
Resomer® RG 502 H, Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), acid terminated, viscosity 0.16-0.24 dL/g