Rotary jet-spun porous microfibers as scaffolds for stem cells delivery to central nervous system injury

Transplanting stem cells into the central nervous system is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, preclinical trials of cell-based therapies are limited by poor local cell engraftment and survival. Here, we present a polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold to support delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a mouse model of stroke. We isolated bone marrow MSCs from adult C57/Bl6 mice, cultured them on PLA polymeric rough microfibrous (PLA-PRM) scaffolds obtained by rotary jet spinning, and transplanted into the brains of adult C57/Bl6 mice, carrying thermocoagulation-induced cortical stroke. Interleukins (IL4, IL6 and IL10) and tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF) expression levels in the brain of mice that received PRM were similar to untreated. MSCs transplantation significantly reduced the area of the lesion and PRM delivery increased MSCs retention at the injury site. We conclude that PLA-PRM scaffolds offer a promising new system to deliver stem cells to injured areas of the brain.\n\nGRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG_DISPLAY_L [Figure 1] M_FIG_DISPLAY C_FIG_DISPLAY\n\nSynthetic scaffolds offer an alternative to optimize stem cell transplantation at sites of brain injury. Here, we present a rotary jet spun polylactic acid (PLA) polymer used as a scaffold to support delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a mouse model of stroke. Transplantation of MSCs isolated or cultured on PRM significantly reduced the area of the lesion and PRM delivery increased MSCs retention at the injury site.