Raphael Thys
Scientists devise new bio-inspired hydrogel that healed injured spinal cord in rates, improving motor functions. (Representative image)
Scientists have come up with a way to heal spinal cord injury in animals that shows promise in especially improving motor function during recovery.
They developed a new hydrogel comprised of hyaluronic acid-graft-dopamine (HADA) and a designer peptide HGF-(RADA)4-DGDRGDS (HRR) to enhance tissue integration following spinal cord injury (SCI).
In an official statement released by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, researchers stated that the new hydrogel boosts nerve regrowth following spinal cord injury in animals.
Boosting nerve regrowth post spinal cord injury
“This strategy holds promise for further applications in repairing other central nervous system injuries and diseases,” the authors stated.
“The gel transforms dense scar tissue into a welcoming environment, where tissue repair-promoting cells can infiltrate and support nerve healing,” the statement added.
When the spinal cord is injured, referred to as Trauma-induced spinal cord injury (SCI), it usually renders dense scar tissue to form called fibrotic scarring. This makes it challenging for nerve cells to regrow.
However, the researchers noted that employing specific biomaterials may aid in the creation of a better environment for these nerves to repair and regrow within the scarred region.
Encouraging axonal repair in spinal cord scars
Scientists stated that this dense tissue is not a hospitable medium for nerve axon regeneration. Implantation of select biomaterials might be a way to encourage axonal repair in spinal cord scars.
The study showed that hyaluronic acid-graft-dopamine (HADA) and designer peptide (HRR) hydrogel, were enhanced with curcumin and Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3).
As NT-3 is an element that promotes nerve growth, it greatly improved motor, sensory, and bladder functions in rats and motor functions in canines by promoting nerve regrowth.
Additionally, the hydrogel transformed scar tissue into a conducive environment for axonal growth.
The study authors stated that the HADA/HRR hydrogel manipulated the infiltration of PDGFRβ+ cells in a parallel pattern, transforming dense scars into an aligned fibrous substrate that guided axonal regrowth.
“Further incorporation of NT-3 and curcumin promoted axonal regrowth and survival of interneurons at lesion borders, which served as relays for establishing heterogeneous axon connections in a target-specific manner.”
Furthermore, in vitro, analyses illustrated the hydrogel’s ability to support fibroblast infiltration, while in vivo tests on rat models of complete spinal cord transection and canines with hemisected lesions showed significant functional improvements.
According to the statement, rat models of complete spinal cord transection that received hydrogel treatment had improved bladder, sensory, and motor activity, including recovery of locomotion.
“Canines with hemisected lesions showed similar improvements in motor function,” the authors added.
This strategy holds promise for further applications in repairing other central nervous system injuries and diseases. Authors noted that such biomaterials can inspire beneficial biological activities for SCI repair.
The study was published earlier today [July 3, 2024] in the journal – Science Advances.
The Blueprint Daily
Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.
Shubhangi Dua As a quirky and imaginative multi-media journalist with a Masters in Magazine Journalism, I'm always cooking up fresh ideas and finding innovative ways to tell stories. I've dabbled in various realms of media, from wielding a pen as a writer to capturing moments as a photographer, and even strategizing on social media. With my creative spirit and eye for detail, I've worked across the dynamic landscape of multimedia journalism and written about sports, lifestyle, art, culture, health and wellbeing at Further Magazine, Alt.Cardiff and The Hindu. I'm on a mission to create a media landscape that's as diverse as a spotify playlist. From India to Wales and now England, my journey has been filled with adventures that inspire my paintings, cooking, and writing.