Review
Emergency Medicine
Yu Zhang, Shuhai Yang, Chang Liu, Xiaoxiao Han, Xiaosong Gu, Songlin Zhou
Summary: Spinal cord injury often results in permanent disability due to the loss of functional recovery. The formation of a glial scar around the damaged tissue can interrupt the healing process, and therapeutic treatments targeting scar components are important for improving functional recovery.
Review
Cell Biology
Lucila Perez-Gianmarco, Maria Kukley
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects millions of people, mainly young individuals, causing deficits in sensory, motor, and autonomic functions. Regrowth of axons is a crucial goal for neurological recovery after SCI, but is challenging due to the formation of a glial scar. Traditionally considered detrimental, recent evidence suggests that glial scars are beneficial for surrounding spared tissue. Experimental studies in rodent models have shown that removal of specific glial cell populations disrupts scar organization, increases inflammation, extends tissue degeneration, and impairs recovery after SCI.
Review
Neurosciences
Areez Shafqat, Ibrahem Albalkhi, Hamzah M. Magableh, Tariq Saleh, Khaled Alkattan, Ahmed Yaqinuddin
Summary: Poor axonal regeneration and functional recovery after SCI is not primarily due to the injury scar, but rather a failure to stimulate axon growth adequately. Targeting neuroinflammation and glial scarring may not be as effective as neuron-directed approaches. This raises questions about the viability of these translational avenues.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Longkuo Xia, Jianhuan Qi, Mingming Tang, Jing Liu, Da Zhang, Yanbing Zhu, Baoyang Hu
Summary: Continual deletion of microglia using pexidartinib reduces the production of collagen I and reforms the astrocyte scar, allowing for axon regeneration.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Dana Klatt Shaw, Vishnu Muraleedharan Saraswathy, Lili Zhou, Anthony R. McAdow, Brooke Burris, Emily Butka, Samantha A. Morris, Sabine Dietmann, Mayssa H. Mokalled
Summary: Zebrafish possess specialized glial cells that spontaneously repair spinal cord injuries, while mammals lack the essential gene regulatory network that reprograms pro-regenerative zebrafish glia after injury.Activation of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition gene program in zebrafish glia is a major factor distinguishing mammalian and zebrafish glia.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Tanner Clifford, Zachary Finkel, Brianna Rodriguez, Adelina Joseph, Li Cai
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to permanent and degenerating damage to the central nervous system (CNS). The formation of glial scar plays a role in segregating neural lesion and protecting surrounding healthy tissue, but it also inhibits regeneration. Therapeutic strategies have been developed to overcome the negative effects, including scar prevention, scar resolution, cell transplantation, and cell reprogramming. This review focuses on the molecular and cellular aspects of glial scar formation and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different regeneration-promoting strategies after SCI.
Article
Neurosciences
Tetsuya Tamaru, Kazu Kobayakawa, Hirokazu Saiwai, Daijiro Konno, Ken Kijima, Shingo Yoshizaki, Kazuhiro Hata, Hirotaka Iura, Gentaro Ono, Yohei Haruta, Kazuki Kitade, Kei-Ichiro Iida, Ken-Ichi Kawaguchi, Yoshihiro Matsumoto, Kensuke Kubota, Takeshi Maeda, Seiji Okada, Yasuharu Nakashima
Summary: Spinal cord injury causes different phenotypic changes in astrocytes, leading to glial scar formation. The characteristics of glial scars change over time, but scar-forming astrocytes have autonomous function to form and maintain glial scars.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Manufacturing
Juqing Song, Baiheng Lv, Wencong Chen, Peng Ding, Yong He
Summary: Due to the complex nerve anatomy and limited regeneration ability of natural tissue, current treatment for long-distance peripheral nerve regeneration and spinal cord injury repair is unsatisfactory. Tissue engineering, using scaffold materials and seed cells, has emerged as a promising method to regenerate peripheral nerve and spinal cord with structures and functions similar to natural tissues. The rapid development of 3D printing technology has allowed researchers to create novel 3D constructs to achieve high bionics, and this review discusses the application of 3D printing technology in peripheral nerve regeneration and spinal cord repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXTREME MANUFACTURING
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ce Zhang, Jianning Kang, Xiaodi Zhang, Ying Zhang, Nana Huang, Bin Ning
Summary: Spinal cord injury leads to scar formation and irreversible loss of function due to complex inflammatory and pathological processes. Studies have shown promising therapeutic results by targeting the cellular and extracellular matrix components of spinal cord scars, such as chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. Moreover, the application of new technologies has contributed to a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved in scar formation.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhifeng You, Xu Gao, Xinyi Kang, Wen Yang, Tiandi Xiong, Yue Li, Feng Wei, Yan Zhuang, Ting Zhang, Yifu Sun, He Shen, Jianwu Dai
Summary: Neural regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is closely related to the formation of microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) mediated neurovascular unit. This study established a method for isolating primary spinal cord-derived MECs (SCMECs) with high cell yield and purity to investigate their therapeutic effects on SCI. Transcriptomics and proteomics identified differentially expressed genes and proteins in SCMECs that were involved in angiogenesis, immunity, metabolism, and cell adhesion molecular signaling. SCMECs and brain-derived MECs (BMECs) showed different levels of angiogenesis and promoted proliferation, migration, and differentiation of spinal cord or brain-derived neural stem cells (SNSC/BNSC). SCMECs in combination with the NeuroRegen scaffold showed higher effectiveness in promoting vascular reconstruction and neuronal regeneration compared to BMECs, possibly through the VEGF/AKT/eNOS-signaling pathway.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jian Xing, Agnieszka Lukomska, Bruce A. Rheaume, Juhwan Kim, Muhammad S. Sajid, Ashiti Damania, Ephraim F. Trakhtenberg
Summary: The failure of spontaneous regeneration of long-distance axons in central nervous system projection neurons is the reason for the irreversibility of white matter pathologies. The interaction between regenerating axons and live oligodendrocytes contributes to the stalling of axonal growth. Demyelination-inducing cuprizone and Pten knockdown enhance axon regeneration, while localized cuprizone injection promotes axon regeneration.
Article
Orthopedics
Peng Peng, Hao Yu, Yongjin Li, Jingyuan Huang, Shengyu Yao, Cong Xing, Weixiao Liu, Bin Zhang, Shiqing Feng
Summary: SCI is a severe disease with high mortality and morbidity globally, lacking effective therapeutic interventions. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs play a crucial role in neural tissues and are closely related to the pathophysiology of SCI.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC TRANSLATION
(2021)
Review
Biology
Shuo Li, Hoai Thi Phuong Dinh, Yukihiro Matsuyama, Kohji Sato, Satoru Yamagishi
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes physical impairment and psychological devastation through complex pathological processes. The two phases of SCI include primary mechanical damage and secondary injury, which lead to vascular disruption, inflammation, cell death, and scar formation. Secretory factors, such as neurotrophic factors and growth factors, play important roles in nerve regeneration, while the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) is damaged, allowing immune cell infiltration and promoting angiogenesis. This review discusses the therapeutic application and outcomes of these secretory factors in SCI.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Papon Muangsanit, Victoria Roberton, Eleni Costa, James B. Phillips
Summary: Vascularisation is crucial for nerve tissue engineering to support long-term survival of implanted cells. Constructs containing endothelial cells have shown to promote axonal regeneration and vascularisation across peripheral nerve gaps.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Qi-Ming Pang, Si-Yu Chen, Qi-Jing Xu, Sheng-Ping Fu, Yi-Chun Yang, Wang-Hui Zou, Meng Zhang, Juan Liu, Wei-Hong Wan, Jia-Chen Peng, Tao Zhang
Summary: Inflammatory response and glial scar formation play crucial roles in spinal cord injury and repair. The role of MSCs in regulating neuroinflammation and glial scar formation after SCI is also significant.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yichang Xu, Yong Gu, Feng Cai, Kun Xi, Tianwen Xin, Jincheng Tang, Liang Wu, Zhen Wang, Fei Wang, Lianfu Deng, Catarina Pereira Leite, Bruno Sarmento, Wenguo Cui, Liang Chen
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhongshu Shan, Hongtao Bi, Angxiu Suonan, Yong Gu, Huan Zhou, Kun Xi, Rui Xiong, Hua Chen, Liang Chen
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kun Xi, Yong Gu, Jincheng Tang, Hao Chen, Yun Xu, Liang Wu, Feng Cai, Lianfu Deng, Huilin Yang, Qin Shi, Wenguo Cui, Liang Chen
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Yi-Chang Xu, Yong Gu, Jia-Ying Yang, Kun Xi, Jin-Cheng Tang, Jiang Bian, Feng Cai, Liang Chen
Summary: This study assessed the mechanistic relationship between AGE accumulation and HIF-1 alpha degradation in NPCs, revealing that AGE treatment leads to reduced HIF-1 alpha protein levels through RACK1-mediated proteasomal degradation, independently of the canonical PHD-mediated degradation pathway. The competition between RACK1 and HSP90 for HIF-1 alpha binding following AGE treatment suggests potential avenues for the treatment or prevention of intervertebral disc degeneration.
CELL BIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiang Bian, Feng Cai, Hao Chen, Zhenzhou Tang, Kun Xi, Jincheng Tang, Liang Wu, Yichang Xu, Lianfu Deng, Yong Gu, Wenguo Cui, Liang Chen
Summary: The injectable peptide-cell-hydrogel microsphere showed promising results in regulating ECM metabolism and inhibiting inflammatory responses, providing an effective approach for tissue regeneration under overactive inflammatory conditions.
Article
Oncology
Zhongshu Shan, Yanyan Zhao, Zhixue Qiu, Suonan Angxiu, Yong Gu, Junning Luo, Hongtao Bi, Wei Luo, Rui Xiong, Siqing Ma, Zhao He, Liang Chen
Summary: CLA effectively attenuates UVB-induced bone cell damage, promotes bone regeneration, and the combination therapy of UVB and CLA has osteoprotective effects on ovariectomized osteoporotic rats.
ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jincheng Tang, Kun Xi, Hao Chen, Lingjun Wang, Dongya Li, Yun Xu, Tianwen Xin, Liang Wu, Yidi Zhou, Jiang Bian, Zhengwei Cai, Huilin Yang, Lianfu Deng, Yong Gu, Wenguo Cui, Liang Chen
Summary: The study introduces an osteogenic glue that combines amine-modified mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles and a gelatin-dextran network, showing improved adhesiveness and healing outcomes for comminuted fractures.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fushan Hou, Wei Jiang, Yin Zhang, Jincheng Tang, Dong Li, Bin Zhao, Lei Wang, Yong Gu, Wenguo Cui, Liang Chen
Summary: The newly developed osteogenic dual-crosslinking biodegradable bone glue possesses enhanced mechanical capability and excellent biocompatibility and adhesion ability, playing a crucial role in promoting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells proliferation and bone growth.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Yun-Sen Zhu, Jiang-Nan Zhang, Ting-Ting Mo, Chang Jiang, Ru-Chao Ma, Liang Chen
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the role of DDR2 in ON-mediated regulation of osteoblast mineralization through p38 MAPK activation. Results showed that ON enhanced Col 1 and Ddr2 gene expressions in osteoblasts, while Ddr2-siRNA/DDR2-blocker decreased key gene and protein expressions and reduced cellular activity and mineralized nodules. These findings suggest that DDR2 activation of p38 MAPK is essential for ON-regulating osteoblast mineralization.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiachen He, Chichi Chen, Liang Chen, Ruoyu Cheng, Jie Sun, Xingzhi Liu, Lin Wang, Can Zhu, Sihan Hu, Yuan Xue, Jian Lu, Huiling Yang, Wenguo Cui, Qin Shi
Summary: In this study, honeycomb-like gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel microspheres are developed using microfluidic technique to construct a 3D model of osteosarcoma. The study shows that the osteosarcoma cells cultured in 3D GelMA microspheres have stronger tumorous stemness, proliferation, migration abilities, and resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs compared to cells in 2D cultures. Moreover, the 3D-cultured cells show more tumorigenicity in mice. This provides an effective and convenient strategy for tumor pathogenesis and drug screening research.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Meng Li, Jiaxiang Bai, Huaqiang Tao, Li Hao, Weiling Yin, Xiaoxue Ren, Ang Gao, Ning Li, Miao Wang, Shiyuan Fang, Yaozeng Xu, Liang Chen, Huilin Yang, Huaiyu Wang, Guoqing Pan, Dechun Geng
Summary: This study proposes a biomimetic surface strategy for the rational integration and optimization of anti-infectivity and osteo-inductivity onto PEEK surfaces using a mussel foot proteins (Mfps)-mimic peptide. By employing bioorthogonal clicking, antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) were precisely located on the azido-modified PEEK surfaces, resulting in a dual-effect of host defense and tissue repair.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wei Wang, Xiaolong Liang, Xin Liu, Jiaxiang Bai, Wei Zhang, Wenming Li, Tianhao Wang, Meng Li, Zerui Wu, Liang Chen, Huilin Yang, Ye Gu, Yunxia Tao, Jun Zhou, Huaiyu Wang, Dechun Geng
Summary: This study reveals the important role of NOX4 in the progression of periprosthetic osteolysis (PPO) triggered by wear particles. NOX4 blockade suppresses osteoclastogenesis and enhances the scavenging of intracellular ROS. The study also demonstrates that NOX4 blockade can prevent titanium nanoparticle-induced bone destruction through activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic approach for preventing PPO.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wei Jiang, Fushan Hou, Yong Gu, Qimanguli Saiding, Pingping Bao, Jincheng Tang, Liang Wu, Chunmao Chen, Cailiang Shen, Catarina Leite Pereira, Marco Sarmento, Bruno Sarmento, Wenguo Cui, Liang Chen
Summary: This study developed an organic-inorganic dual-adhesive hydrogel using alendronate and methacryloyl hyaluronic acid, which promoted the stability of orthopedic implants under osteoporotic conditions.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liang Wu, Yichang Xu, Kun Xi, Yong Gu, Jincheng Tang, Tianwen Xin, Huilin Yang, Lingjun Wang, Wenguo Cui, Liang Chen
Summary: This study presents an injectable porous microsphere with hierarchical micro/nano-structure, inspired by the native osteoimmune microenvironment, for bone healing. The microsphere can mimic the extracellular matrix and activate macrophage polarization, promoting tissue repair, angiogenesis, and mineralization.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yu Tang, Zonghan Xu, Jincheng Tang, Yichang Xu, Ziang Li, Wenbo Wang, Liang Wu, Kun Xi, Yong Gu, Liang Chen
Summary: The integration of a hydrogel perfusion system and electrospinning technology has led to the development of a concrete composite support for nerve injury repair. The hydrogel activates macrophages to induce an anti-inflammatory response and reprograms the immune microenvironment after spinal cord injury. Additionally, the release of programmed cytokines from the composite enhances the recruitment and differentiation of neural stem cells, leading to improved nerve function recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
