International Journal of Nanomedicine (Dec 2023)

Modified FGF Hydrogel for Effective Axon Formation by Enhanced Regeneration of Myelin Sheath of Schwann Cells Using Rat Model

  • Li J,
  • Shangguan Z,
  • Ye X,
  • Wang Z,
  • Liu W,
  • Chen G

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 18
pp. 7225 – 7236

Abstract

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Jiandong Li,1,2,* Zhitao Shangguan,1,2,* Xiaoqing Ye,1,2 Zhenyu Wang,1,2 Wenge Liu,1,2 Gang Chen1,2 1Department of Orthopaedics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China; 2Union Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Gang Chen; Wenge Liu, Tel +86-15880004731 ; +86-13705977551, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: An acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating event for which there is no targeted or effective treatment. Previous studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and Schwann cells (SC) exert a protective effect on the injured tissues. Because of their easy injectability and strength, hydrogels are considered to be ideal candidates for creating loadable tissues. However, the application and mechanism of bFGF-hydrogels have not been explored.Methods: We synthesized a new class of bFGF-hydrosol and evaluated its safety and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Next, an SCI rat model was established to evaluate the effect of the hydrosol on an SCI by detecting various pro-inflammatory markers and evaluating the injury. The ability of hydrosol to promote axon formation was evaluated by detecting corresponding indexes, and its ability to promote remyelination was evaluated by detecting the corresponding indexes in Schwann cells.Results: A novel in situ injectable hydrogel containing bFGF (HA-bFGF) was synthesized and found to have better biocompatibility than other gels. HA-bFGF helped to repair tissue damage after an SCI in vivo. Our mechanistic investigation also showed that HA-bFGF improved axon formation after an SCI by facilitating the regeneration of myelin sheath of Schwann cells.Conclusion: In this study, we found that HA-bFGF could promote neural restoration and tissue recovery after an SCI. Our results indicate that hydrogels loaded with bFGF can alleviate a spinal cord injury by promoting the remyelination of Schwann cells, reducing inflammation at the injured site, and ultimately promoting axon generation.Keywords: acute spinal cord injury, HA-bFGF, Schwann cells

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