Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jingjia Ye, Shuang Jin, Wanxiong Cai, Xiangfeng Chen, Hanyu Zheng, Tianfang Zhang, Wujie Lu, Xiaojian Li, Chengzhen Liang, Qixin Chen, Yaxian Wang, Xiaosong Gu, Bin Yu, Zuobing Chen, Xuhua Wang
Summary: A self-assembling hydrogel depot that releases anti-inflammatory drugs and growth factors locally has been proposed as a solution to repair severe spinal cord injuries and promote nerve regrowth.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Raspa, Luisa Carminati, Raffaele Pugliese, Federico Fontana, Fabrizio Gelain
Summary: After spinal cord injuries, harmful events such as activated microglia/macrophages infiltration, astrocyte migration, and increased production of inhibitory CSPGs often occur. Chronic SCI results in a gliotic scar that acts as a barrier to axonal regrowth, but biomaterial scaffolds show promise in promoting nervous cell restoration. Research focusing on self-assembling peptide (SAP) hydrogels loaded with Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) demonstrates potential for enhancing host neural regeneration and behavioral recovery in chronic SCI.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tania L. Lopez-Silva, Carlo D. Cristobal, Cheuk Sun Edwin Lai, Viridiana Leyva-Aranda, Hyun Kyoung Lee, Jeffrey D. Hartgerink
Summary: The study demonstrates that MDPs enhance neurite outgrowth and promote a multicellular pro-regenerative response in peripheral nerve injury.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Zheng Cao, Weitao Man, Yuhui Xiong, Yi Guo, Shuhui Yang, Dongkang Liu, He Zhao, Yongdong Yang, Shenglian Yao, Chuzhong Li, Lingyun Zhao, Xiaodan Sun, Hua Guo, Guihuai Wang, Xiumei Wang
Summary: Hierarchically aligned fibrin hydrogel (AFG) has been shown to facilitate neuroregeneration and restore locomotion in large animal models, indicating its potential for clinical translation.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Dingyang Liu, He Shen, Yeyu Shen, Ge Long, Xinghui He, Yannan Zhao, Zhiquan Yang, Jianwu Dai, Xing Li
Summary: The study indicates that the scaffold loaded with dual cues shows good effects in promoting neuron and endothelial cell migration, as well as axon and vessel regeneration. Long-term therapeutic effects include revascularization, spinal cord axonal regeneration, fibrotic scar reduction, electrophysiological recovery, and motor function improvement.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shiyang Liao, Yonghang Liu, Yanlong Kong, Haitao Shi, Bitong Xu, Bo Tang, Congbin Li, Yitian Chen, Jing Chen, Juan Du, Yadong Zhang
Summary: The study successfully developed a multi-channel Tubasatin A-loaded nanofiber conduit with promising therapeutic effects on spinal cord injury treatment.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Caixia Fan, Wen Yang, Lulu Zhang, Hui Cai, Yan Zhuang, Yanyan Chen, Yannan Zhao, Jianwu Dai
Summary: Spinal cord injury is a severe damage to the central nervous system, often leading to the loss of spinal cord structure and function. Researchers have developed a new hydrogel material with mechanical and electrical properties similar to the spinal cord, which can be used for spinal cord regeneration. By introducing glutathione and MMP-responsive proteins into the hydrogel, biomolecules can be released in response to the microenvironment of spinal cord injury, promoting axon regeneration and angiogenesis, and improving motor function recovery.
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
Chemistry, Physical
Zhe Zhang, Yi Chai, He Zhao, Shuhui Yang, Wei Liu, Zihui Yang, Weilong Ye, Chenlong Wang, Xiaohan Gao, Xiangdong Kong, Xiaodan Sun, Lingyun Zhao, Tuoyu Chen, Yuqi Zhang, Jiaju Lu, Xiumei Wang
Summary: The study successfully utilized a dual-functionalized peptide nanofiber hydrogel to construct an artificial neurovascular microenvironment, promoting interaction and communication between neural and vascular cells.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xuezhen Shen, Feng Qu, Yilun Pei, Simeng Lei, Suhang Xia, Jing Liang, Shan Li, Xun Sun, Liang Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that the combined application of functionalized self-assembling peptide gels and chitosan nerve conduits accelerates nerve healing and enhances morphological repair, providing a promising therapy for peripheral nerve regeneration.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meg L. Mcfetridge, Ketav Kulkarni, Tzong-Hsien Lee, Mark P. Del Borgo, Marie-Isabel Aguilar, Sharon D. Ricardo
Summary: Self-assembling lipopeptide hydrogels have been widely studied for therapeutics delivery due to their desirable properties such as rapid gelation, injectability, and controlled physicochemical characteristics. In this study, the researchers aimed to encapsulate cells in a 3D hydrogel using self-assembling lipidated-beta(3)-peptides, which have been previously used as 2D substrates in cell culture. Through fluorescence microscopy and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, it was found that lipidated beta(3)-peptides can penetrate the cell membrane and localize to the mitochondrial network. However, further optimization may be necessary to minimize membrane uptake for cell encapsulation applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meg L. Mcfetridge, Ketav Kulkarni, Tzong-Hsien Lee, Mark P. Del Borgo, Marie-Isabel Aguilar, Sharon D. Ricardo
Summary: Self-assembling lipopeptide hydrogels have been widely used for therapeutics delivery due to their unique properties. However, their potential application in cell-encapsulation is still being explored. In this study, the authors assessed the cell-penetrating properties of lipidated-ss(3)-peptides in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and demonstrated that these peptides can penetrate the MSC plasma membrane and localize to the mitochondrial network. Further optimization is needed to minimize the membrane uptake of these peptides for cell encapsulation applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yu Wang, Ying-Qian Chai, Jie Cai, Shan-Shan Huang, Ye-Feng Wang, Shan-Shan Yuan, Ji-Long Wang, Ke-Qing Shi, Jun-Jie Deng
Summary: Hydrogel derived from adipose tissue lysate can create a long-term anti-inflammatory microenvironment, improving neural differentiation and axon regeneration in the repair of spinal cord injuries.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qi Sha, Yankai Wang, Zhi Zhu, Hua Qiu, Weirui Niu, Xiangyang Li, Jun Qian
Summary: The study developed a biomimetic hydrogel scaffold that can release biofactors in a controlled manner, promoting spinal cord injury repair and enhancing nerve regeneration.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Biao Yang, Chengzhen Liang, Di Chen, Feng Cheng, Yuang Zhang, Shaoke Wang, Jiawei Shu, Xianpeng Huang, Jingkai Wang, Kaishun Xia, Liwei Ying, Kesi Shi, Chenggui Wang, Xuhua Wang, Fangcai Li, Qian Zhao, Qixin Chen
Summary: The current effective method for treating spinal cord injury (SCI) involves using a hydrogel called agarose/gelatin/polypyrrole (Aga/Gel/PPy, AGP3) to fill the injured cavity and promote neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation. This AGP3 hydrogel showed excellent biocompatibility and promoted neuronal differentiation while inhibiting astrocyte growth. In vivo studies demonstrated that the AGP3 hydrogel covered tissue defects, reduced the size of the injured area, and facilitated functional recovery by promoting endogenous neurogenesis. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that AGP3 hydrogel modulated the expression of neurogenesis-related genes through intracellular calcium signaling pathways.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhaodi Che, Yali Song, Chengfang Xu, Wei Li, Zhiyong Dong, Cunchuan Wang, Yixing Ren, Kwok-Fai So, George L. Tipoe, Fei Wang, Jia Xiao
Summary: Chronic alcohol consumption causes liver steatosis, cell death, and inflammation. Melatonin (MLT) has been found to alleviate alcoholic liver disease (ALD)-induced injury, and its direct regulating targets in hepatocytes are the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the downstream BRG1-TERT axis. MLT can effectively and safely protect the liver from alcohol-induced damage. It may serve as a complementary agent for individuals with alcoholism.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lingtai Yu, Mengfan Liu, Fuxiang Li, Qianghua Wang, Meizhi Wang, Kwok-Fai So, Yibo Qu, Libing Zhou
Summary: Celsr2 knockout improves the survival and axon regeneration of injured motoneurons by alleviating inhibitory synaptic stripping.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Ming Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Wai-Ching Lam, Amy Cheuk Yin Lo
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Runhua Wang, Yuanyuan Cai, Weicong Lu, Ruoxi Zhang, Robin Shao, Suk-Yu Yau, Brendon Stubbs, Roger S. McIntyre, Kuan-Pin Su, Guiyun Xu, Liangwen Qi, Kwok-Fai So, Kangguang Lin
Summary: This 3-month randomized psychoeducation-controlled trial examined the effects of exercise on gut microbiota in young adolescents with subthreshold depression. The exercise intervention group showed an increase in the relative abundance of certain genera and species of gut bacteria compared to the psychoeducation-controlled group. These changes were associated with improvements in depressive symptoms and enrichment of defense and signal transduction mechanisms.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Lan Yan, Mei Wang, Fengzhen Yang, Yajie Wang, Siqi Wang, Kwok-Fai So, Li Zhang
Summary: Aerobic exercise relieves anxiety disorders by modulating neurogenesis and neural activity. The molecular mechanism of exercise-mediated anxiolysis is not fully understood. In a chronic restrain stress model in adolescent mice, 14-day treadmill exercise maintained normal neural activity and axonal myelination in the medial prefrontal cortex, preventing anxiety-like behaviors. Further investigation revealed activation of the mTOR pathway within the prefrontal cortex, mediated by exercise-induced brain RNA methylation inhibiting the expression of FMRP. Overall, treadmill exercise modulates the FMRP-mTOR pathway to maintain cortical neural activity and axonal myelination, improving stress resilience.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Ophthalmology
Ling-Ping Cen, Kevin K. Park, Kowk-Fai So
Summary: Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are crucial for transmitting visual information to the brain, and their loss or damage can result in partial or total vision loss. Accurate diagnosis is essential for timely treatment and prevention of irreversible RGC loss. Promoting RGC axon regeneration is vital for restoring vision, but several factors inhibit this process. Understanding the mechanisms of RGC survival and regeneration, as well as exploring potential therapies, is important for treating optic neuropathies.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Aimei Liu, Lingtai Yu, Xuejun Li, Kejiao Zhang, Wei Zhang, Kwok-Fai So, Fadel Tissir, Yibo Qu, Libing Zhou
Summary: The role of the gene Celsr2 in reactive astrocytes is crucial for neural repair. Celsr2 knockout leads to the formation of elongated protrusions in reactive astrocytes and affects calcium influx. Inhibiting Celsr2 enhances nerve regeneration and functional recovery following spinal cord injury.
Article
Immunology
Runwei Li, Shuang Qu, Meng Qin, Lu Huang, Yichun Huang, Yi Du, Zhexiong Yu, Fu Fan, Jing Sun, Qiushuang Li, Kwok-Fai So
Summary: Influenza, caused by a respiratory virus, has a significant global impact on human health. Influenza A viruses, in particular, are highly pathogenic and have caused multiple pandemics. An effective treatment strategy for viral pneumonia caused by influenza infection should focus on reducing direct damage from the virus and relieving excessive inflammation. Lycium barbarum glycopeptide (LbGp), derived from the fruit of Lycium barbarum, has strong pro-immune activity and potential antiviral effects. This study evaluated the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of LbGp and its therapeutic effect on H1N1-induced viral pneumonia.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Feng Feng, Xiyong Song, Zan Tan, Yujie Tu, Longyou Xiao, Pengfei Xie, Yahao Ma, Xiumin Sun, Junwu Ma, Limin Rong, Liumin He
Summary: Local reconstruction of a permissive environment with biomaterials is a promising strategy to treat spinal cord injury (SCI). We reported a hybrid hydrogel fabricated from a small functional self-assembling peptide (F-SAP) and large silk fibroin (SF). The diffusion of SF micelles into F-SAP solution was driven by the dynamic synergy between osmotic pressure and F-SAP/SF electrostatic interactions, resulting in the rearrangement of SF micelles and the formation of rod-like filaments with axes nearly perpendicular to F-SAP nanofibers. Spectroscopy analysis, including circular dichroism, Raman and fluorescence, indicated conformation changes of SF from random coil to ss sheet, which contributed to enhanced mechanical properties of the resultant hybrid hydrogel. Furthermore, the F-SAP/SF hybrid hydrogel coupled with controlled release of NT-3 provided a permissive environment for neural regeneration by providing nanofibrous substrates for regenerating axons, inflammatory modulation and remyelination, consequently resulting in improved locomotion and electrophysiological properties. This hydrogel could be used as a long-term stent in vivo for the treatment of SCI.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuchu Liu, Ji-an Wei, Zhihua Luo, Jing Cui, Yifan Luo, Sarah Oi Kwan Mak, Siqi Wang, Fengwei Zhang, Yan Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Lingling Shi, Li Zhang, Billy Kwok Chong Chow
Summary: Salt homeostasis is regulated by neural circuits and peripheral endocrine factors. The colon, a primary site for electrolyte absorption, might play a role in modulating sodium intake. This study discovered that the gastrointestinal hormone secretin, released from colon endocrine cells during sodium deficiency, is crucial for inducing salt appetite. Circulating secretin activates specific receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tracts, which in turn activates the downstream para-ventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, resulting in increased sodium intake. These findings reveal a previously unknown gut-brain pathway for the timely regulation of sodium homeostasis.
Article
Biology
Zhihua Luo, Junlin Chen, Yelin Dai, Kwok-Fai So, Li Zhang
Summary: Aerobic exercise effectively improves mental disorders by promoting adult neurogenesis. This study reveals that chronic restraint stress leads to overexcitation of the mPFC-BLA pathway, and 14-day treadmill exercise reverses these abnormalities. Chemogenetic studies demonstrate that the mPFC-BLA circuit is necessary for preventing anxiety-like behaviors in stressed mice. These findings suggest a neural circuitry mechanism by which exercise enhances resilience against environmental stress.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao Liu, Fei Hao, Peng Hao, Jingxue Zhang, Liqiang Wang, Si-Wei You, Ningli Wang, Zhaoyang Yang, Kwok-Fai So, Xiaoguang Li
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Zihao Chen, Lei He, Jiawei Di, Lijun Huang, Feng Feng, Bu Yang, Peigen Xie, Limin Rong
Summary: This study investigated the potential reasons for persistent low back pain after minimally invasive discectomy by analyzing clinical data. Lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis (LFJOA) was found to be a possible underlying cause, with older age, female gender, high BMI, and heavy labor being associated with a higher prevalence of LFJOA. The LFJOA subgroup had worse clinical outcomes and more adjacent segment degeneration and lateral recess stenosis.
ARCHIVES OF ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGERY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Xue Pan, Lu Bai, Chengcheng Pan, Zhicheng Liu, Seeram Ramakrishna
Summary: This review discusses the fabrication methods and applications of SERS substrates based on electrospun nanofibers, and highlights the challenges and prospects.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)