Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Katarzyna Pieczonka, Hiroaki Nakashima, Narihito Nagoshi, Kazuya Yokota, James Hong, Anna Badner, Jonathon C. T. Chio, Shinsuke Shibata, Mohamad Khazaei, Michael G. Fehlings
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes the loss of neurons and glial cells. Current interventions for SCI lack regenerative solutions. Neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising strategy for regeneration but inconsistent differentiation hinders functional recovery. This study generated oligodendrogenically biased NPCs (oNPCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and demonstrated their effectiveness in a rodent model of cervical SCI, showing enhanced tissue preservation, remyelination, and functional recovery without adverse effects. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of oNPCs in cervical SCI and call for further investigation to optimize this approach.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chen Jin, Yayu Wu, Haipeng Zhang, Bai Xu, Wenbin Liu, Chunnan Ji, Panpan Li, Zhenni Chen, Bing Chen, Jiayin Li, Xianming Wu, Peipei Jiang, Yali Hu, Zhifeng Xiao, Yannan Zhao, Jianwu Dai
Summary: This study created a linearly ordered spinal cord-like structure by placing human spinal cord neural progenitor cells and spinal cord astrocytes on a linearly ordered collagen scaffold. The structure promoted neural and vascular regeneration, inhibited inflammation and glial scar formation, and facilitated neural circuit reconstruction and motor functional recovery. Therefore, this research is of great importance in the treatment of spinal cord injury.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jun Zhou, Yaqi Wu, Zhijian Tang, Kaipeng Zou, Juan Chen, Zuowei Lei, Xueyan Wan, Yanchao Liu, Huaqiu Zhang, Yu Wang, Armin Blesch, Ting Lei, Shengwen Liu
Summary: Studies have shown that alginate capillary hydrogels can fill the lesion cavity and promote axonal regeneration after grafting into the injured spinal cord. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) can survive, proliferate, and differentiate into neurons within the capillaries in vitro. In animal experiments, a portion of the grafted cells can survive and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, the grafted cells can promote the growth of host axons, form putative synapses with host neurons, improve electrophysiological conductivity, and partially restore locomotor function.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Woo Keyoung Kim, Yeon Sung Son, Ji-Hey Lim, Wan Hee Kim, Byung-Jae Kang
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful isolation and propagation of NSPCs derived from the canine cervical spinal cord, which have the potential to differentiate into neuronal and glial cells.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yiyan Zheng, Chrystine M. Gallegos, Haipeng Xue, Shenglan Li, Dong H. Kim, Hongxia Zhou, Xugang Xia, Ying Liu, Qilin Cao
Summary: Recovering locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) is crucial. Stem cell therapy, particularly using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), holds promise as a reparative strategy. This study found that purified iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) were able to improve locomotor function in a rat model of cervical SCI.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jincheng Li, Wenqi Luo, Chunsheng Xiao, Jianhui Zhao, Chunyu Xiang, Wanguo Liu, Rui Gu
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe neurological impairments. Current clinical treatments are limited, with unsatisfactory effects. Finding ways to recruit and facilitate the differentiation of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (eNSPCs) towards neurons is considered a promising strategy for the noninvasive and immune-compatible treatment of SCI. This manuscript discusses the responses of eNSPCs to exogenous interventions and various manipulation approaches to enhance neurogenesis and reconstruct the hostile microenvironment, including pharmacological treatments and regulation. Combined treatments are also highlighted for future investigations.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yiwei Xu, Jing Zhou, Cuicui Liu, Sheng Zhang, Fenglin Gao, Wenjing Guo, Xiumin Sun, Chi Zhang, Heying Li, Zilong Rao, Shuai Qiu, Qingtang Zhu, Xiaolin Liu, Xiaodong Guo, Zengwu Shao, Ying Bai, Xiao Zhang, Daping Quan
Summary: The repair of spinal cord injury depends on remodeling the microenvironment and supporting the recruitment and differentiation of endogenous stem/progenitor cells. Decellularized tissue matrices have shown promise in promoting neural tissue regeneration, especially when derived from nervous system tissues. This study compared a DTM hydrogel derived from spinal cord (DSCM-gel) and one derived from peripheral nerves (DNM-gel), with results showing that DSCM-gel promotes NSPC viability, proliferation, migration, and differentiation into neurons in early 3D culturing stages.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zachary K. Zabarsky, Tianyi David Luo, Xue Ma, Gabriella M. Dean, Thomas L. Smith
Summary: This study investigates the role of neuroinflammation in spinal cord injury (SCI) and examines the effects of Pioglitazone (PGZ) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) on neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). The results demonstrate that combination treatment of PGZ and GCSF enhances NSPC proliferation and improves functional recovery.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fumei He, Ke Cheng, Junyang Qi, Fangjie He, Chengjun Chu, Yue Xiong, Jingxin Zhao, JiaQi Ding, FanShu Kong, ZiMeng Cao, Gan Liu, Wenbin Deng
Summary: Black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNs) have been found to regulate cellular redox homeostasis, enhance stem cell transplant survival rate, and facilitate neural differentiation through the activation of Nrf2 pathways. In a mouse model of spinal cord injury (SCI), BPNs-treated neural progenitor cells effectively inhibited inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis, as well as reducing glial scar formation and promoting axon regeneration. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic applications of BPNs in advanced stem cell transplantation and neural tissue engineering.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jue Ling, Tingting Huang, Ronghua Wu, Chao Ma, Ge Lin, Zhihao Zhou, Junpei Wang, Qifeng Tu, Xiaoxuan Tang, Yan Liu, Mei Liu, Liu Yang, Yumin Yang
Summary: This study demonstrates the efficacy of cell-enhanced photocrosslinked silk fibroin hydrogels in modulating injury-induced neuroinflammation and promoting neurite regrowth after spinal cord injury (SCI). The biomimetic hydrogel system provides mechanical cues for neuronal differentiation and promotes macrophage/microglia polarization, resulting in improved recovery.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Anne Huntemer-Silveira, Dane Malone, Anna Frie, Patrick Walsh, Ann M. Parr
Summary: Spinal cord injury impairs motor and sensory function, but research using induced pluripotent stem cells has made progress in in vivo remodeling and neuromodulation. However, current protocols for differentiating spinal neurons are time-consuming and lack specificity, and there is limited research on sensory neuron transplantation.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenni Chen, Haimin Zhang, Caixia Fan, Yan Zhuang, Wen Yang, Yanyan Chen, He Shen, Zhifeng Xiao, Yannan Zhao, Xiaoran Li, Jianwu Dai
Summary: Aligned collagen-fibrin hydrogels with stretchable property, adhesive behavior, and controlled delivery capability were developed for spinal cord injury repair. The hydrogels demonstrated improved mechanical properties compared to collagen-only hydrogels and promoted endogenous neural stem/progenitor cell migration and differentiation, leading to effective recovery.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhifeng You, Xu Gao, Xinyi Kang, Wen Yang, Tiandi Xiong, Yue Li, Feng Wei, Yan Zhuang, Ting Zhang, Yifu Sun, He Shen, Jianwu Dai
Summary: Neural regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is closely related to the formation of microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) mediated neurovascular unit. This study established a method for isolating primary spinal cord-derived MECs (SCMECs) with high cell yield and purity to investigate their therapeutic effects on SCI. Transcriptomics and proteomics identified differentially expressed genes and proteins in SCMECs that were involved in angiogenesis, immunity, metabolism, and cell adhesion molecular signaling. SCMECs and brain-derived MECs (BMECs) showed different levels of angiogenesis and promoted proliferation, migration, and differentiation of spinal cord or brain-derived neural stem cells (SNSC/BNSC). SCMECs in combination with the NeuroRegen scaffold showed higher effectiveness in promoting vascular reconstruction and neuronal regeneration compared to BMECs, possibly through the VEGF/AKT/eNOS-signaling pathway.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yifan Wang, Tengfei Zhao, Yiren Jiao, Hanxu Huang, Yongxiang Zhang, Ao Fang, Xuhua Wang, Yanling Zhou, Haochen Gu, Qionghua Wu, Jiang Chang, Fangcai Li, Kan Xu
Summary: This study investigates the effect of Laponite nanoplatelets on stem cell therapy. The results show that Laponite nanoplatelets can induce the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells within five days in vitro, and the NF-kappa B pathway is involved in this process. Moreover, Laponite nanoplatelets can increase the survival rate of transplanted neural stem cells and promote their differentiation into mature neurons. The formation of connections between transplanted cells and host cells is confirmed by axon tracing. Therefore, Laponite nanoplatelets can be considered a convenient and practical biomaterial to enhance the efficacy of neural stem cell transplantation and promote repair of the injured spinal cord.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Mi Park, Jae Hwan Kim, Jong Eun Lee
Summary: Arginine decarboxylase synthesizes agmatine, which has neuroprotective effects. Transfecting human ADC gene into murine brain-derived neural precursor cells can improve neural and bladder function in spinal cord injury model mice, induce neural lineage differentiation, and reduce glial scar formation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
Zaid Patel, Colin K. Franz, Ankit Bharat, James M. Walter, Lisa F. Wolfe, Igor J. Koralnik, Swati Deshmukh
Summary: The diaphragm, the principle muscle of inspiration, can be affected by various factors leading to dysfunction, which can now be diagnosed and monitored using ultrasound. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, research and clinical applications of diaphragm ultrasound have gained increasing importance.
JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Colin K. Franz, Nikhil K. Murthy, George R. Malik, Jean W. Kwak, Dom D'Andrea, Alexis R. Wolfe, Ellen Farr, Melanie A. Stearns, Swati Deshmukh, Jinny O. Tavee, Fang Sun, Kevin N. Swong, Leslie Rydberg, R. James Cotton, Lisa F. Wolfe, James M. Walter, John M. Coleman, John A. Rogers
Summary: We diagnosed 66 peripheral nerve injuries in 34 patients who survived severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). By combining this new data with a re-analysis of published case series, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the sites of nerve lesions. The most common sites are those known to be vulnerable to mechanical loading, such as the ulnar nerve, common fibular nerve, and sciatic nerve. Our study highlights the importance of protecting peripheral nerves in the care of COVID-19 patients and presents proof of concept for a wearable, wireless pressure sensor for real-time monitoring.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Michael J. Berger, Adenike A. Adewuyi, Ida K. Fox, Colin K. Franz
Summary: This review emphasizes the significance of clinical electrodiagnostic (EDX) evaluation in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), particularly in the context of nerve transfer surgery to restore upper limb functions. The EDX evaluation is crucial in determining the extent of lower motor neuron lesions, candidacy for surgery, and prognostic evaluation postoperatively.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Richard Severin, Colin K. Franz, Ellen Farr, Cristiane Meirelles, Ross Arena, Shane A. Phillips, Sam Bond, Francesco Ferraro, Mark Faghy
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause damage to the respiratory muscles, resulting in persistent dyspnea in COVID-19 recovered patients. Therefore, screening for respiratory muscle weakness and providing interventions is crucial for COVID-19 patients.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Neill Y. Li, Nikhil K. Murthy, Collin K. Franz, Robert J. Spinner, Allen T. Bishop, Peter M. Murray, Alexander Y. Shin
Summary: This study examines the presentation, injury patterns, and clinical course of COVID-19-related peripheral nerve injury following mechanical ventilation. A retrospective study of patients with COVID-19 and ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation was conducted, and peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 11 patients, including brachial plexopathy. The majority of patients showed minimal clinical improvements.
WORLD NEUROSURGERY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Katherine M. Burke, Amy S. Ellrodt, Benjamin C. Joslin, Pia P. Sanpitak, Claire MacAdam, Prabhav Deo, Kevin Ozment, Cristina Shea, Stephen A. Johnson, Doreen Ho, Samuel K. Chu, Ashwin N. Babu, Colin K. Franz, Sabrina Paganoni
Summary: This case series explores the efficacy of glenohumeral joint injections for the management of shoulder pain due to adhesive capsulitis in people living with ALS (PALS). Results show that although only one PALS reported complete symptom resolution, all had at least partial symptomatic improvement during the observation period, with no observed complications. Therefore, a comprehensive plan including glenohumeral joint injections and additional therapies should be considered for managing shoulder pain in ALS patients.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yamin Zhang, Fei Liu, Yuhe Zhang, Jin Wang, Dominic D'Andrea, Jordan B. Walters, Shupeng Li, Hong-Joon Yoon, Mingzheng Wu, Shuo Li, Ziying Hu, Tong Wang, Junhwan Choi, Keith Bailey, Elizabeth Dempsey, Kaiyu Zhao, Anastasia Lantsova, Yasmine Bouricha, Ivy Huang, Hexia Guo, Xinchen Ni, Yunyun Wu, Geumbee Lee, Fuchang Jiang, Yonggang Huang, Colin K. Franz, John A. Rogers
Summary: In this study, a light-controlled, self-powered technology was developed for programmable drug release. The device can bypass the limitations of traditional systems and provide a bioresorbable solution.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Allison B. Wang, Stephen N. Housley, Daniel Ludvig, Colin K. Franz, Ann Marie Flores, Timothy C. Cope, Eric J. Perreault
Summary: Oxaliplatin chemotherapy can cause long-term sensorimotor impairments, but there were no significant differences in short-latency stretch reflexes of the shoulder muscles between cancer survivors and healthy controls, contrary to expectations based on preclinical work. The differences between human and preclinical testing paradigms may be responsible for these findings.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Michael R. Drumm, Wenxia Wang, Thomas K. Sears, Kirsten Bell-Burdett, Rodrigo Javier, Kristen Y. Cotton, Brynna Webb, Kayla Byrne, Dusten Unruh, Vineeth Thirunavu, Jordain Walshon, Alicia Steffens, Kathleen McCortney, Rimas V. Lukas, Joanna J. Phillips, Esraa Mohamed, John D. Finan, Lucas Santana-Santos, Amy B. Heimberger, Colin K. Franz, Jonathan Kurz, Jessica W. Templer, Geoffrey T. Swanson, Craig Horbinski
Summary: Seizures are a common complication of adult-type diffuse gliomas, especially those with mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 or 2 (IDHmut). The risk of postoperative seizures in adult-type diffuse glioma patients is influenced by factors such as preoperative seizures, tumor location, extent of resection, and glioma molecular subtype. Experimental studies show that the metabolic product of IDHmut can induce seizure-like activity in the presence of non-neoplastic glial cells, and IDHmut inhibitors have shown potential in reducing seizure risk in IDHmut glioma patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
Colin Franz
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Michael Drumm, Wenxia Wang, Kirsten B. Burdett, Thomas Sears, Rodrigo Javier, Kristen Cotton, Brynna Webb, Jacob Stolz, Kayla Byrne, Dusten Unruh, Jordain Walshon, Alicia Steffens, Kathleen McCortney, Omar Bushara, Alyssa Weston, Suning He, Rimas Lukas, John Finan, Colin Franz, Jonathan Kurz, Jessica Templer, Geoff Swanson, Craig Horbinski
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Michael Drumm, Wenxia Wang, Kirsten Bell Bell Burdett, Thomas Sears, Rodrigo Javier, Kristen Cotton, Brynna Webb, Dusten Unruh, Jordain Walshon, Alicia Steffens, Kathleen McCortney, Omar Bushara, Alyssa Weston, Suning He, John Finan, Colin Franz, Jonathan Kurz, Jessica Templer, Geoff Swanson, Craig M. Horbinski
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Critical Care Medicine
Suning He, Alyssa Weston, John Finan, Colin Franz
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jonathan Huang, Nikhil K. Murthy, Colin Franz, Jonathan Samet, Swati Deshmukh, Kevin N. Swong
Summary: Entrapment neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy, are common in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and can severely impact upper limb function. This case report describes anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) neuropathy, which has not been previously reported in the SCI population. Surgical decompression was performed successfully, highlighting the effectiveness of this treatment option. Further research is needed to determine optimal management strategies for AIN neuropathy in SCI patients.
SPINAL CORD SERIES AND CASES
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
Michael Drumm, Wenxia Wang, Kirsten Bell-Burdett, Thomas Sears, Rodrigo Javier, Kristen Cotton, Brynna Webb, Jacob Stolz, Kayla Byrne, Dusten Unruh, Jordain Walshon, Alicia Steffens, Kathleen McCortney, Omar Bushara, Alyssa Weston, Suning He, John Finan, Colin Franz, Jonathan Kurz, Jessica Templer, Geoff Swanson, Craig Horbinski
JOURNAL OF NEUROPATHOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)