Novel carbon dots with dual Modulatory effects on the bone marrow and spleen as a potential therapeutic candidate for treating spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers an immune response, leading to further damage. This study introduces Ejiao carbon dots (EJCDs) designed to regulate the immune system's response to SCI by targeting the bone marrow and spleen. EJCDs promote hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation into erythroid progenitors in the bone marrow, which reduces myeloid cell proliferation and migration. They also reduce the immune response in the spleen by diminishing monocyte and macrophage infiltration. The study demonstrates that EJCDs can effectively reduce myeloid cell infiltration after SCI and promote neurological recovery in mice, suggesting their potential as a therapeutic candidate for treating spinal cord injuries.

• 1
  EJCDs promote HSC self-renewal and erythroid differentiation in the bone marrow by upregulating FZD4 protein expression in LSK cells.
• 2
  EJCDs attenuate the immune response in the spleen following spinal cord injury by diminishing the local infiltration of monocytes and macrophages via downregulation of CCAAT enhancer binding protein-β expression.
• 3
  EJCDs reduce myeloid cell infiltration post-spinal cord injury and promote neurological recovery, making them promising therapeutic candidates.