Tissue engineered neural constructs designed for intracerebral gelation

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in death or severe neurological disability in 175,000 individuals each year in the U.S. (T.A. Gennarelli, 1993), TBI treatment presents a significant clinical challenge because of the poor regenerative capabilities of the brain, resulting in permanent tissue loss. A tissue engineered construct consisting of cells embedded within an extracellular matrix scaffold has the potential to rescue damaged tissue and promote functional recovery. In this in vitro study, the authors investigated Matrigel^TM and methylcellulose (MC) as potential construct materials for incorporation of neural cells. These materials form gels at physiologic temperatures yet exist as a solution at lower temperatures. This reverse gelation makes them particularly attractive for minimally invasive grafting in the brain. The material/cell constructs could be injected as a solution into lesioned areas and/or deafferented regions, where they would subsequently form a semi-solid hydrogel in vivo