GDNF gene-engineered adipose-derived stem cells seeded Emu oil-loaded electrospun nanofibers for axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury

Abstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) activates a cascade of signaling pathways which results in impaired sensory and motor function without restoration of function due to the very limited self-regenerative ability of the spinal cord. As a novel treatment, combination therapy can offer effective repair for SCI regeneration. In this study, a polymeric bioactive scaffold seeded with genetically engineered adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) was designed for SCI axonal regeneration. Materials and Methods Emu oil (EO)-loaded polycaprolactone/collagen (PCL/Col) electrospun scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning and were characterized employing FE-SEM and FTIR. ASCs were transduced with a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-mediated recombinant adenovirus and overexpression of GDNF in infected cells as confirmed using ELISA tests. The cell-seeded scaffolds were transplanted in the lesion site of a contused spinal cord in a rat model. Histological assessments and behavioral examinations were used to evaluate functional recovery and nerve repair 8 weeks after scaffold implantation. Results Our study revealed the high viability of ASCs over 14 days on scaffolds. Compared with the control group, the levels of GDNF was significantly increased in transfected ASCs after 24h (p Conclusion The results provide promising evidence for the application of combination therapy as a clinically useful treatment for SCI repair.