Poly-L-Ornithine Coated Plant Scaffolds Support Motor Recovery in Rats After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Couvrette LJ, Walker KLA, et al.

Scientific Reports

University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Spiderwort Biotechnologies Inc.

RESEARCH SUMMARY

This study demonstrates that plant-derived lignocellulosic scaffolds coated with poly-L-ornithine (PLO) promote locomotor recovery and axonal regeneration following complete spinal cord transection in rats. The scaffolds, produced from decellularized Asparagus officinalis, exhibited aligned vascular channels (~40 µm pores) conducive to neural infiltration. PLO functionalization enhanced neuronal differentiation, axonal sprouting, and myelin regeneration. Animals implanted with PLO-coated scaffolds showed significant improvement in Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) and Karolinska Swim Assessment Tool (KSAT) scores, enhanced neurofilament infiltration, and remyelination at the lesion site. These findings position plant-based scaffolds as a promising platform for neural tissue repair.

Mechanical compression testing of the lignocellulosic scaffolds was performed using a CellScale UniVert to determine the Young’s modulus under 10% strain at 50 μm/s. Stress–strain curves revealed anisotropic mechanical properties, with moduli of ~148 kPa parallel and ~12 kPa perpendicular to the vascular bundles, confirming scaffold compliance comparable to spinal cord tissue.

AUTHORS

Lauren J. Couvrette, Krystal L.A. Walker, Arman Bayat, Daniel J. Modulevsky, Alex M. Laliberté, Charles M. Cuerrier, Maxime Leblanc-Latour, Ryan J. Hickey, Rose Boudria, Ruthie Monty, Ras-Jeevan K. Obhi, Isabel Shore, Ahmad Galuta, Eve C. Tsai, Tuan V. Bui, Andrew E. Pelling.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

JOURNAL

Scientific Reports

YEAR

2025

INSTITUTIONS

University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Spiderwort Biotechnologies Inc.

COUNTRIES

Canada

INSTRUMENT USED

UniVert

TESTING METHODS

Compression TestingMicro-Mechanical Testing

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Neural Tissue & CNS MechanicsPeripheral Nerve Regeneration & PNS MechanicsScaffold Mechanical Testing

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