Advances in 3D-Printed Scaffolds for Spinal Cord Injury Repair
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/5w96yv57Keywords:
3D Printing scaffold, spinal cord, injury repair.Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a type of central nervous system damage. Due to the limitations of current technologies in effectively reconstructing neural structures and restoring function in patients, there is an urgent clinical need for improved regenerative therapies. Against this backdrop, 3D-printed scaffold technology offers new possibilities for SCI repair by precisely simulating the complex three-dimensional structure of the spinal cord. The SCI repair scaffold system comprises three categories: axon-guiding, microenvironment-modulating, and neuron-replacing scaffolds, each repairing the nervous system through distinct pathways. Guiding scaffolds utilize micro topological structures to physically direct axonal growth, modulating scaffolds focus on restoring a healthy microenvironment to promote signal conduction, while replacing scaffolds leverage transplanted cells to directly facilitate synapse formation and neural circuit reconstruction. However, challenges such as low cell survival rates and imprecise microenvironment regulation persist, hindering further progress in 3D-printed scaffolds for SCI repair. This article reviews the application progress of 3D-printed scaffolds from the perspectives of structural guidance, microenvironment regulation, and cell replacement, aiming to provide references for research on spinal cord injury repair.
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