Bioengineered scaffolds for spinal cord repair

Spinal cord injury can lead to devastating and permanent loss of neurological function, affecting all levels below the site of trauma. Unfortunately, the injured adult mammalian spinal cord displays little regenerative capacity and little functional recovery in large part due to a tissue environment that is nonpermissive for regenerative axon growth. Artificial tissue repair scaffolds may provide a physical guide to allow regenerative axon growth that bridges the lesion cavity and restores functional neural connectivity. By integrating different strategies, including the use of various biomaterials and microstructures as well as incorporation of bioactive molecules and living cells, combined or synergistic effects for spinal cord repair through regenerative axon growth may be achieved. This article briefly reviews the development of bioengineered scaffolds for spinal cord repair, focusing on spinal cord injury and the subsequent cellular response, scaffold materials, fabrication techniques, and current therapeutic strategies. Key issues and challenges are also identified and discussed along with recommendations for future research.