Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41744251›Full record

ArticleAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)2026

Astrocyte Enrichment of 3D Cortical Constructs Enhances Brain Repair.

Elisa M Cruz, Luana C Soares, Gretchen Greene, Fernando Messore, Mohammed Abuelem, Mingyu Li, Caroline Andersen, Mirriam Domocos, Elisa Vitiello, Rabeah Abdul Razak and 11 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

21 authors.

Elisa M CruzDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Luana C SoaresDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Gretchen GreeneDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Fernando MessoreDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Mohammed AbuelemDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Mingyu LiDepartment of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Caroline AndersenDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Mirriam DomocosDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Elisa VitielloDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Rabeah Abdul RazakDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Marlene LawstonDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Gabriel MoserDepartment of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Talia Vasaturo-KolodnerDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Mona BarkatDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Roslyn M BillDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Edward MannDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Linna ZhouDepartment of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Mootaz M SalmanDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Hagan BayleyDepartment of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Zoltán MolnárDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Francis G SzeleDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2931-0673

Funding

BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford RE/24/130024Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Pioneer Award BB/Y512874/1British Heart Foundation and the UK Dementia Research Institute UK DRI-8203ERC Advanced grant, FORTIFY ERC-2022-ADG-101096882John Fell Fund grant (University of Oxford) to L.C.S., an MRC grant MR/W027119/1Oxford Martin School (University of Oxford). The Oxford Martin Programme on 3D Printing for Brain RepairSao Paulo Research Foundation Grant 2022/06554-7UKRI Frontier Research Grant EP/Y023684/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Regenerative medicine offers a promising approach to treat brain injuries, yet challenges persist in promoting neuronal survival and integration. Recent studies demonstrate that human cells implanted into rodent brains can exhibit plasticity, integrate into neural circuits and alleviate functional deficits. However, integration is often poor, with inadequate vascularization, and insufficient support cells such as astrocytes. Astrocytes play a crucial role in neuronal development and recovery by releasing growth factors, facilitating synaptogenesis, and promoting blood vessel formation. This study investigated human neuronal progenitor cells cultured alone or cultured with mouse astrocytes and formed into 3D constructs using microfluidics. Co-cultures exhibited enhanced neuronal maturation, viability, and density. Following implantation into mouse brains, co-cultures reduced lesion size, increased axonal growth, and improved astrocyte coupling to blood vessels within the graft. Additionally, we show that NPCs and co-cultures increased astrocyte size in implants. Deconvolved high-resolution microscopy identified synapses and optogenetics showed functional connections between the host and implants. These findings underscore the essential role of astrocytes in enhancing neuronal tissue integration and advancing brain injury treatments.

Indexed as

AstrocytesBrainBrain InjuriesCerebral CortexNeural Stem CellsAnimalsCells, CulturedCoculture TechniquesHumansMiceNeuronsAstrocytesBrain implantationCerebral cortex developmentMicrofluidics tissue printingTraumatic brain injury

Identifiers

PMID41744251
PMCPMC13067773

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.