Numerical characterization of regenerative axons growing along a spherical multifunctional scaffold after spinal cord injury

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205961
• Publication Date: 2018-10-26T17:30:55Z
• Authors: Weiping Zhu; Han Zhang; Xuning Chen; Kan Jin; Le Ning
• Keywords: Regenerative Medicine; Biomaterial

Spinal cord injury (SCI) followed by extensive cell loss, inflammation, and scarring, often permanently damages neurological function. Biomaterial scaffolds are promising but currently have limited applicability in SCI because after entering the scaffold, regenerating axons tend to become trapped rarelyre-enter host tissue, reasons for which remain be completely explored. Here, we propose a mathematical model computer simulation characterizing regenerative growing along scaffold following SCI, how their growth may guided. The assumed solid, spherical, multifunctional, biomaterial that would bridge rostral caudal stumps of transected spinal rat guide toward tissue. Other assumptions include whole being coated with extracellular matrix components, area additionally seeded chemoattractants. chemical factors on around were formulated several coupled variables, parameter values derived fromexisting experimental data. Special attention was given effects coating strength, seeding location, density, as well ramp slope axonal regeneration. In numerical simulations, slimmer provided small at entry “on-ramp” improved success rate If rates high, an increased number traverse through narrow channels, causing congestion lowering rate. An increase severed (300–12000) did not significantly affect rate, it reduced However, densities complexes chemoattractants area, both rates. density thecomplexes risks over-eutrophic surface harms regeneration.Although theoretical predictions yet validated directly experiments, this tool can advance treatment is also applicable other architectures.