Injectable hydrogel materials for spinal cord regeneration: a review

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) poses significant regenerative challenges due to inhibitory factors and injury heterogeneity.
• Surgical interventions for SCI can cause further damage, especially in non-penetrating injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of in situ-forming scaffolds for spinal cord repair.
• To discuss the advantages and requirements of these injectable biomaterials.
• To highlight their potential for treating central nervous system and other organ injuries.

Main Methods:

• Focus on injectable, in situ-forming polymer scaffolds (synthetic and natural).
• Examines their transformation from liquid to gel upon injection.
• Reviews their mechanical properties, integration with host tissue, and therapeutic loading capabilities.

Main Results:

• In situ-forming scaffolds conform to individual lesion sites, integrating with host tissue.
• Their tunable mechanical properties can mimic the native extracellular matrix, enhancing axonal ingrowth.
• These materials can deliver therapeutics to modulate the wound environment and promote regeneration.

Conclusions:

• Injectable in situ-forming scaffolds represent an attractive strategy for SCI regeneration.
• Lessons learned from SCI applications are transferable to other central nervous system and organ tissue repairs.
• These biomaterials offer a minimally invasive approach to spinal cord repair and regeneration.