Using NGF heparin-poloxamer thermosensitive hydrogels to enhance the nerve regeneration for spinal cord injury

Acta Biomater, 2016 · DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2015.10.014 · Published: January 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) lead to tissue degeneration and loss of function. The study aims to enhance nerve regeneration using a novel heparin-poloxamer (HP) thermo-sensitive hydrogel to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF). The hydrogel was prepared and tested for its properties, including gelation temperature and micromorphology. The cellular uptake of the hydrogel was evaluated using PC12 cells in vitro. The effects of the NGF-HP hydrogel on spinal cord injury in rats were evaluated by studying pathologic characteristics and neuron regeneration.

Study Duration

28 Days

Participants

Young adult female Sprague–Dawley rats (220–250 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
NGF-HP hydrogel showed good morphology and stable bioactivity of NGF in vitro, and enhanced the efficiency of NGF cellular uptake without obvious cytotoxicity.
2
The study observed significant improvements in neuron functions and tissue morphology in SCI rats treated with the NGF-HP hydrogel.
3
Compared with free HP hydrogel and NGF treatment groups, NGF-HP hydrogel group showed significant inhibition on the formation of glial scars in the extreme crushed rat SCI model.

Research Summary

This study introduces a novel heparin-poloxamer (HP) thermo-sensitive hydrogel for enhanced nerve regeneration in spinal cord injury (SCI). The NGF-HP hydrogel effectively delivered NGF to the injured spinal cord, promoting cellular uptake and improving neuron functions and tissue morphology in SCI rats. The neuroprotective effects of NGF-HP were linked to the inhibition of chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis, suggesting a potential mechanism for SCI regeneration.

Practical Implications

Enhanced NGF Delivery

HP hydrogel can effectively deliver NGF into the injured site using orthotopic injection.

Effective SCI Regeneration Strategy

The method provides a potential effective strategy for SCI regeneration.

Inhibition of Glial Scar Formation

NGF-HP hydrogel demonstrates significant inhibition of glial scar formation compared to free HP hydrogel and NGF treatment groups.

Study Limitations

1
The low number of samples limited the optimization dose of experimental parameters for NGF.
2
The improved function and regeneration changes in NGF-HP hydrogel group still did not reach the levels of the control group, which may be related to the short intervention.
3
The complex mechanism of axon regeneration in SCI model remains to be explored before in situ injection technique can be brought from bench to bedside.

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