Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA | Department of neurology, Ohio State University School
of Medicine, Columbus, OH 4321 0, USA | Division of Neurosurgery, Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA | Rehabilitation Engineering R&D Laboratory,
Brockton/West Roxbury VA Medical Center West Roxbury, MA, USA | Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's
Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Note: [] Correspondence to: M.H. Spilker, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Tel.: +1 617 253 4469; Fax: +1 617 258 5802; E-mail: mspilker@mit.edu
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects
of implantation of a collagen tube on healing and scar formation following
transection of tbc adult rat spinal cord. Methods: The spinal cords of adult
rats were completely transected at the mid-thoracic level. At 30 days after
injury, the cellular and extra-cellular components of repair tissue present
within tubulated and non-tubulated (control) wounds were compared using
qualitative and quantitative histological techniques. Results: The presence of
the tube reduced fibrocollagenous scar invasion into the gap, promoted
astrocyte migration, and oriented axonal and connective tissue components of
the repair tissue. Tube implants supported the regeneration of a substantial
number of myelinated axons. A notable finding was the identification of cells
containing a contractile actin isoform in the healing spinal cord. Conclusions:
The tubulation model allows for the study of spinal cord wound healing and axon
elongation in a controlled experimental environment within the tube lumen.
Using this model, it will be possible to study manipulation of the healing
response by the introduction of exogenous agents within the tube
