NEAT Bioprinting Enables Functional Repair of Spinal Cord Injuries (PRJCA041020)

Spinal cord repair requires biomaterials that replicate the aligned axonal architecture and mechanical compliance of native tissue. However, current scaffolds fail to support three-dimensional alignment and neuronal differentiation of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in hydrated, soft environments (~70% water, 8 weeks). Human NSCs encapsulated within NEAT constructs exhibited enhanced alignment and neuronal differentiation guided by optimized fibrillar architecture. In rat models of complete spinal cord transection, NEAT constructs promoted axonal reconnection, synapse formation, and functional locomotor recovery. This strategy bridges topographical control, cellular programming, and functional integration, providing a robust platform for neural tissue engineering and spinal cord regeneration.