HETEROGENEOUS PHPMA HYDROGELS FOR TISSUE-REPAIR AND AXONAL REGENERATION IN THE INJURED SPINAL-CORD

A biocompatible heterogeneous hydrogel of poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl) met hacrylamide] (PHPMA) showing an open porous structure, viscoelastic pr operties similar to the neural tissue and a large surface area availab le for cell interaction, was evaluated for its ability to promote tiss ue repair and axonal regeneration in the transected rat spinal cord. A fter implantation, the polymer hydrogel could correctly bridge the tis sue defect, form a permissive interface with the host tissue to favour cell ingrowth, angiogenesis and axonal growth occurred within the mic rostructure of the network. Within 3 months the polymer implant was in vaded by host derived tissue, glial cells, blood vessels and axons pen etrated the hydrogel implant. Such polymer hydrogel matrices which sho w neuroinductive and neuroconductive properties have the potential to repair tissue defects in the central nervous system by promoting the f ormation of a tissue matrix and axonal growth by replacing the lost of tissue.