Alginate strings with genetically engineered fibroblasts and their application in spinal cord regeneration

Author

Kanakasabai, Saravanan ; Murray, M. ; Fisher, I. ; Wheatley, M.A.

Author_Institution

Sch. of Biomed. Eng., Sci. & Health Syst., Drexel Univ., Philadelphia, PA, USA

fYear

2003

Firstpage

15

Lastpage

16

Abstract

We have optimized a method for producing strings of alginate bioconjugated with a laminin pentapeptide that aids in cell adhesion. These strings are 400-500 μm in thickness and could be bundled to act as a graft at the site of injury. In vitro studies have shown that rat (NB2a) and human (SHSY5Y) neuroblastoma cell lines adhere to, and differentiate on these modified alginate strings. The strings also have the capacity to hold genetically modified fibroblasts that release neurotrophins that would aid in neuronal regeneration. These strings are strong enough to be surgically transplanted to the spinal cord, and may ultimately help in bridging the gap at the injury site.

Keywords

adhesion; cellular biophysics; genetics; neurophysiology; organic compounds; surgery; 400 to 500 micron; cell adhesion; cell differentiation; gap bridging; graft; human cells; in vitro studies; injury site; neuroblastoma cell lines; rat cells; surgically transplanted strings; Adhesives; Antibiotics; Biological materials; Biomedical engineering; Fibroblasts; Genetic engineering; Injuries; Nerve fibers; Spinal cord; Sugar;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Bioengineering Conference, 2003 IEEE 29th Annual, Proceedings of

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7767-2

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/NEBC.2003.1215969

Filename

1215969