Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
09:41
Injection of Hydrogel Biomaterial Scaffolds to The Brain After Stroke
Published on: October 1, 2020
5.3K
Particle hydrogels decrease cerebral atrophy and attenuate astrocyte and microglia/macrophage reactivity after stroke
Elias Sideris1, Sophia Kioulaphides2, Katrina Wilson2
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Advanced Therapeutics
|January 2, 2023
Summary
Injecting a novel hydrogel into stroke-affected brain areas in mice reduced brain damage and promoted repair. This innovative stroke therapy modulated brain cells, decreasing atrophy and preserving neural connections for better recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Stroke-related disabilities affect many individuals, with reactive astrocytes and pro-inflammatory microglia contributing to secondary brain damage and hindering repair.
- These same glial cells, however, also possess pro-repair capabilities crucial for endogenous recovery and brain plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of a hyaluronic acid-based microporous annealed particle (MAP) hydrogel for stroke recovery.
- To assess the impact of MAP hydrogel injection into the stroke core on glial cell phenotypes and brain tissue preservation.
Main Methods:
- Direct injection of MAP hydrogel into the stroke core in a mouse model.
- Analysis of astrocyte reactivity and microglial activation states post-injection.
- Quantification of cerebral atrophy and preservation of neurofilament-200 (NF200) axonal bundles.
Main Results:
- MAP hydrogel injection significantly reduced the percentage of highly reactive astrocytes.
- An increased percentage of alternatively activated (pro-repair) microglia was observed.
- Reduced cerebral atrophy and preservation of NF200 axonal bundles were evident post-treatment.
- MAP hydrogel promoted reparative astrocyte infiltration and subsequent axonal penetration into the lesion site.
Conclusions:
- Direct injection of porous MAP hydrogel into the stroke core can mitigate secondary brain damage.
- This approach effectively modulates astrocytes and microglia towards a pro-repair phenotype, promoting endogenous repair mechanisms.
- The findings suggest a clinically relevant therapeutic strategy for reducing cerebral atrophy and enhancing brain plasticity after stroke.
