Microchip encapsulation andmicroRNA‐7 overexpression of trabecular meshwork mesenchymal stem/stromal cells improve motor function after spinal cord injury

Abstract Manipulation of stem cells and microencapsulation through microfluidic chips has shown more promising results in treating complex conditions, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), than traditional treatments. This study aimed to investigate the potency of neural differentiation and its therapeutic role in SCI animal model of trabecular meshwork mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (TMMSCs) via miR‐7 overexpression and microchip‐encapsulated. TMMSCs are transduced with miR‐7 via a lentiviral vector (TMMSCs‐miR‐7[+]) and encapsulated in alginate‐reduced graphene oxide (alginate‐rGO) hydrogel via a microfluidic chip. Neuronal differentiation of transduced cells in hydrogel (3D) and tissue cultures plate (2D) was assessed by expressing specific mRNAs and proteins. Further evaluation is being carried out through 3D and 2D TMMSCs‐miR‐7(+ and −) transplantation into the rat contusion SCI model. TMMSCs‐miR‐7(+) encapsulated in the microfluidic chip (miR‐7‐3D) increased nestin, β‐tubulin III, and MAP‐2 expression compared with 2D culture. Moreover, miR‐7‐3D could improve locomotor behavior in contusion SCI rats, decrease cavity size, and increase myelination. Our results revealed that miR‐7 and alginate‐rGO hydrogel were involved in the neuronal differentiation of TMMSCs in a time‐dependent manner. In addition, the microfluidic‐encapsulated miR‐7 overexpression TMMSCs represented a better survival and integration of the transplanted cells and the repair of SCI. Collectively, the combination of miR‐7 overexpression and encapsulation of TMMSCs in hydrogels may represent a promising new treatment for SCI.