Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin City have demonstrated for the first time a groundbreaking process combining 3D printing, stem cell biology, and laboratory-grown tissue for the recovery of spinal cord injuries.
The study was recently published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
According to the National Center for Spinal Cord Injury Statistics, more than 300,000 people in the United States suffer from spinal cord injuries, but there is no way to completely reverse the injury and paralysis. The major challenges are neuronal death and the inability of nerve fibers to cross the site of injury. This new study addresses this issue head-on.
This method involves creating a unique 3D printing framework for lab-grown organs called organoid scaffolds with microscopic channels. These channels are entered with regional-specific spinal neural progenitor cells (SNPCs), cells derived from human adult stem cells that are capable of dividing and differentiating into specific types of mature cells.
“We use 3D printed channels in the scaffold to guide stem cell growth, ensuring that new neural fibers grow in the desired way,” said Guebum Han, a postdoctoral researcher in mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota and the first author of the paper, who currently works at Intel Corporation. “This method creates a relay system that bypasses the damaged area when placed in the spinal cord.”
In their study, the researchers implanted these scaffolds into rats with a completely cut spinal cord. The cells successfully expanded the nerve fibers both in both directions (to the head) and caudal (to the tail) to form new connections with the host’s existing neural circuits.
New neurons were seamlessly integrated into the host spinal cord tissue over time, resulting in significant functional recovery in rats.
Regenerative medicine has brought about a new era in spinal cord injury research. Our lab is excited to explore the future possibilities of “mini spinal cord” for clinical translation. ”
Ann Parr, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota
Although this study is in its first stage, it offers a new means of hope for people with spinal cord injuries. The team hopes to expand production and continue developing this combination of technology for future clinical applications.
In addition to Han and Pa, the team included Hyun Jun Kim and Michael McAlpine from the University of Minnesota School of Mechanical Engineering. Nicholas S. Lavoir, Nandadevi Patil, Olivia G. Collenfeld, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota. Manuel Esguera of the University of Minnesota Department of Neuroscience. Daeha Joung of the Faculty of Physics at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The work was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program and the Spinal Cord Association.
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Journal Reference:
Han, G., et al. (2025). 3D printed scaffolds promote strengthening spinal organoid formation for use in spinal cord injury. Advanced healthcare materials. doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202404817.
