3D microfiber scaffolds improve implanted neural cell survival and integration
Evidence mounts that stem cells on fiber scaffolds make an ideal approach for enhancing implanted cell survival and integration.
Using tiny scaffolds composed of micron diameter fibers, researchers have shown that differentiated neural cells have improved survival and integration into mice brain. The fibrous microscaffolds were loaded with induced human neurons and injected through a needle into mouse brain. The microscaffolds were shown to significantly enhance the cell survival as well as the integration of the neurons into host brain. Combined with the body of other work on neuronal cells grown in patterned and functionalized fiber scaffolds and hydrogels, this adds to the evidence that neural stem cells can be guided to reconstruct neural structure and function.