Applications of bio-printing to promote spinal cord regeneration.

Abstract

The spinal cord is one of the most important part of the human nervous system and great importance is placed on developing the best treatment for its damage. 3D bio-printing technology, and the fabrication of special scaffolds using it, is a potential solution for regenerating damage in spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Bio-printing can be divided into indirect and direct bio-printing, while among the bio-printing methods, inkjet bio-printing, fused deposition modeling (FDM), extrusion bio-printing, or light-assisted bio-printing can be distinguished. The last group can be in turn divided into several separate techniques such as digital light processing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA) and laser-assisted bio-printing (LAB). While bio-printing technology for the treatment of SCI is in the early stages of research, several successful trials have already been performed, where the use of such scaffolds has resulted in at least partial restoration of autonomic nervous system function in patients with chronic and acute SCI.