Scaffolding to rebuild the spinal cord

2004/01/28 Lexartza Artza, Irantzu - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Osasuna
• Medikuntza

Spinal cord wounds are very scarce, as the bone marrow is cut, the nerves cannot grow in the remaining section to join both parts. So far, many researchers have tried to build bridges that facilitate nerve growth, but used solid materials such as collagen. Its application requires invasive surgery, with the consequent risk of causing more damage to the marrow.

To avoid this danger, Chicago researchers have made a bridge with a liquid. The molecules that make up the liquid have a negative charge, so they repel each other. By injecting the liquid solution into the spinal cord affected by a rodent, the fluid meets positively charged molecules, such as calcium or sodium ions present in the tissues of the living, with which it is immediately associated to solidify in gel.

They have been designed to bond molecules in a special way, forming a small mass of tiny tubes. Each tube is 5 nanometers wide and hundreds of nanometers long. Tubes have a porous structure and nerve cells can grow around and through them. In addition, molecules have been added a small portion of protein so that nerve cells know and adhere to them. The structure is designed to disintegrate 4-6 weeks later, thus avoiding foreign elements within the organism.

On the other hand, it has tried to add new nerve cells that help repair the marrow. In one trial they added stem cells to the solution, which became neurons and began to grow on the solidified bridge.

In any case, although the scaffold structure is well placed, the nerves may have difficulty growing again. Once the spinal cord is injured, the surrounding cells join together forming a dense spot. Due to the impossibility of crossing this nerve barrier, it may be necessary to add enzymes to the solution that can break this stain.