Spinal cord injury repair by implantation of structured hyaluronic acid scaffold with PLGA microspheres in the rat

In order to create an optimal microenvironment for neural regeneration in the lesion area after spinal cord injury (SCI), we fabricated a novel scaffold composed of a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel with a longitudinal multi-tubular conformation. The scaffold was modified by binding with an anti-Nogo receptor antibody (antiNgR) and mixed further with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres containing brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (HA+PLGA). In the rat, after implantation of this composite into an injured area created by a dorsal hemisection at T9-10 of the spinal cord, favorable effects were seen with regard to the promotion of spinal repair, including excellent integration of the implants with host tissue, inhibition of inflammation, and gliosis. In particular, large numbers of new blood vessels and regenerated nerve fibers were found within and around the implants. Simultaneously, the implanted rats exhibited improved locomotor recovery. Thus, this novel composite material might provide a suitable microenvironment for neural regeneration following SCI.