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)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Dahao Wang, Haosen Zhao, Chang Xu, Sen Lin, Yue Guo
Summary: This study demonstrates that in situ 5-ASA grafted chitosan electrospun fibers (ASA-EF) can effectively reduce inflammation and promote nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury. ASA-EF administration leads to the downregulation of inflammatory cytokine expression and the upregulation of anti-inflammatory and regenerative gene expression. It also polarizes macrophages towards proregenerative phenotypes, reduces cavity area, increases myelination and regenerating axons, and improves motor function.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Rachel Ronan, Aniket Kshirsagar, Ana Lucia Rebelo, Abbah Sunny, Michelle Kilcoyne, Roisin O' Flaherty, Pauline M. Rudd, Gerhard Schlosser, Radka Saldova, Abhay Pandit, Siobhan S. McMahon
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury disrupts tissue integrity and function. This study investigates the role of glycosylation in regeneration and suggests that targeting glycosylation could be a promising strategy for future therapies.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Chun Yao, Xuemin Cao, Bin Yu
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a series of complex pathological reactions, affecting the local microenvironment. Although endogenous angiogenesis is triggered, the new vessels often do not function normally. Many blood vessel interventions have been applied in SCI treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
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
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhixiang Li, Panpan Xu, Lijun Shang, Bingxu Ma, Huihui Zhang, Liangmin Fu, Yuanyuan Ou, Yingji Mao
Summary: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a major cause of disability, and currently there are no effective treatments available. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the potential for treating SCI, but they tend to differentiate into astrocytes instead of neurons in the inflammatory microenvironment, posing a challenge for directing the differentiation of NSCs into neurons. The microtubule-stabilizing agent paclitaxel (PTX) has been reported to promote neuronal differentiation of NSCs. SDF-1α can recruit NSCs and guide their migration. In this study, a functional collagen scaffold loaded with SDF-1α and nanoparticle-encapsulated PLGA-PTX was developed, providing a neural regeneration conduit for NSC migration and neuronal differentiation, leading to motor function recovery and reduced glial scar formation after SCI.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhixiang Li, Panpan Xu, Lijun Shang, Bingxu Ma, Huihui Zhang, Liangmin Fu, Yuanyuan Ou, Yingji Mao
Summary: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a major cause of disability, resulting in irreversible motor and sensory impairment. Currently, there are no effective drugs or technologies available for treatment in both domestic and foreign countries. Neural stem cells (NSCs) show promise in treating SCI as they have the ability to differentiate in multiple directions. However, the challenge lies in directing the differentiation of NSCs into neurons instead of astrocytes due to the inflammatory microenvironment. This study proposes a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI repair by using a functional collagen scaffold loaded with SDF-1a and nanoparticle-encapsulated PLGA-PTX, allowing for slow release of PTX and promoting neuronal differentiation of NSCs.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Haitao Fu, Die Hu, Jinli Chen, Qizun Wang, Yingze Zhang, Chao Qi, Tengbo Yu
Summary: Spinal cord injury can result in sensorimotor impairments or disability. Studies of the cellular response to SCI have increased our understanding of nerve regenerative failure following spinal cord trauma. Biological, engineering, and rehabilitation strategies for repairing the injured spinal cord have shown impressive results in both rodent and non-human primate models. Cell transplantation, particularly using Schwann cells, has shown promise in promoting functional recovery in animal models and is safe for use in humans with subacute SCI. However, more research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the reparative effect of transplanted Schwann cells.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiang Gao, Weinan Cheng, Xiaoyi Zhang, Zhengyu Zhou, Zhaozhao Ding, Xiaozhong Zhou, Qiang Lu, David L. Kaplan
Summary: This study developed a bioactive system consisting of silk protein nanofiber hydrogels with hierarchical anisotropic microstructures to address spinal cord injury (SCI) by immobilizing nerve growth factor (NGF). The results showed that the hydrogel matrices reduced scar formation and achieved scarless repair of the spinal cord and effective recovery of motor functions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Si -Yu Chen, Rui-Lin Yang, Xiang-Chong Wu, De-Zhi Zhao, Sheng-Ping Fu, Feng-Qin Lin, Lin-Yan Li, Li-Mei Yu, Qian Zhang, Tao Zhang
Summary: Spinal cord injury is a highly destructive disease that lacks effective treatment. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has emerged as a more promising therapeutic option for promoting spinal cord injury repair through various mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Luzhong Zhang, Ke Yao, Jingjing Wei, Guicai Li, Ying Lin, You Lang Zhou, Yumin Yang
Summary: This study presents a simple in situ synthetic strategy for injectable lysine-contained peptide functionalized hydrogels for the treatment of spinal cord injury. The hydrogels promote adhesion and neurite extension of DRG neurons, inhibit glial scar formation, suppress inflammatory responses, and promote nerve regeneration.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ben Kaplan, Shulamit Levenberg
Summary: Peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries have significant impacts on patients' lives, with severe cases currently lacking a cure. Biomaterials can be engineered as scaffolds to mimic nerve tissue and promote axonal regeneration, as well as deliver therapeutic agents to the site of injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shiqiang Song, Jing Zhou, Junming Wan, Xingchang Zhao, Kai Li, Chengliang Yang, Chuanchuan Zheng, Liqiang Wang, Yujin Tang, Chong Wang, Jia Liu
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes severe neural tissue damage and motor/sensory dysfunction. Various strategies have been employed to treat SCI, but their limitations have hindered desirable outcomes. Compared to other strategies, advanced tissue engineering scaffolds with appropriate features and drug delivery capability can recruit neural stem cells, induce neuronal differentiation, and facilitate neuron maturation, leading to the regeneration of injured spinal cord tissue and the recovery of motor function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOPRINTING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yan-qing Wu, Jun Xiong, Zi-li He, Yuan Yuan, Bei-ni Wang, Jing-yu Xu, Man Wu, Su-su Zhang, Shu-fang Cai, Jia-xin Zhao, Ke Xu, Hong-yu Zhang, Jian Xiao
Summary: Metformin plays a protective role in myelin preservation during SCI recovery by promoting the autophagy level of microglial cells, regulating inflammatory responses, improving neuronal apoptosis, and enhancing locomotor function recovery.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Pei Yu, Kai Yang, Min Jiang
Summary: Nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury is regulated by many factors, including the distribution changes of RXR alpha in neurons and the upregulation of p66shc expression. RXR alpha inhibits nerve regeneration by promoting p66shc expression, and intervention of RXR alpha or p66shc can promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lin-Lin Luo, Jie Xu, Bing-Qiao Wang, Chen Chen, Xi Chen, Qiu-Mei Hu, Yu-Qiu Wang, Wan-Yun Zhang, Wan-Xiang Jiang, Xin-Ting Li, Hu Zhou, Xiao Xiao, Kai Zhao, Sen Lin
Summary: A novel AAV serotype, AAVYC5, introduced in this study, showed more efficient transduction into multiple retinal layers compared to AAV2, and enabled successful delivery of anti-angiogenic molecules in mice and non-human primates.