Neural precursor cells generated from Induced pluripotent stem cells with gelatin sponge-electrospun PLGA/PEG nanofibers for spinal cord injury repair

Objective: This study attempted to graft neural precursor cells (NPCs) differentiated from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) with gelatin sponge-electrospun Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Polyethylene glycol (PLGA/ PEG) nanofibers into transected rat spinal cords and to investigate whether the tissue engineering scaffolds could promote motor functional recovery. Methods: iPSc were differentiated into NPCs and identified with immunofluorescence and patch clamp analysis. Transferring the NPCs on the gelatin sponge-electrospun PLGA/PEG or PLGA alone 3D scaffolds. Tissue engineering scaffolds were transplanted into transected rat spinal cords and motor functional recovery was observed. Results: iPSc-NPCs could survive, self-renew and differentiate into neurons within the scaffolds in vitro. Electrospun PLGA/PEG nanofibers significantly promoted iPS-derived NPCs adhesion and proliferation as compared to PLGA. The iPS-derived NPCs have a better differentiation potential on the surface of the PLGA/PEG biomaterials. Furthermore, scaffolds combined with iPSc-NPCs treatment showed improvements in the functional recovery of the spinal cord after transection SCI. The PLGA/PEG group showed more significant promotions in motor functions than the PLGA alone and untreated control group when evaluated by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score. Conclusion: We demonstrated that neural precursor cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells with gelatin sponge-electrospun PLGA/PEG nanofibers could promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury.