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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Development of Combinatorial Therapeutics for Spinal Cord Injury using Stem Cell Delivery
Published on: June 7, 2024
Multifunctional Hyaluronic Acid/Graphite Nanoplatelet Hydrogels as Tools for Spinal Cord Regeneration
Cátia Correia1,2, Daniela Cruz-Moreira1,2, Fábio S Gonçalves1,2,3,4
13B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Rua Ave 1, Edifício 1 (Sede), Barco, 4805-694 Guimarães, Portugal.
New conductive hydrogels made from hyaluronic acid and graphite nanoplatelets show promise for spinal cord injury repair. These biomaterials support nerve regeneration and electrical signal transmission, aiding functional recovery.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroscience
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant motor and sensory dysfunction due to interrupted neural conduction.
- Current treatments for SCI are insufficient for restoring neuronal activity and connectivity.
- Advanced neuroregenerative materials are crucial for reconnecting damaged nerve pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop conductive and adhesive hydrogel composites for spinal cord injury (SCI) repair.
- To investigate the potential of hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogels functionalized with exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (EG) or pyrrolidine-functionalized EG (f-EG).
- To evaluate the biomaterials' ability to support neural connectivity and function.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized adhesive catechol-conjugated HA (HA-Cat) via HA-aldehyde reaction with dopamine and reduction.
- Fabricated hydrogel composites (HA-C) using sodium periodate as an oxidative agent.
- Incorporated varying percentages of EG and f-EG into the HA-C matrix.
Main Results:
- Hydrogel composites with 50% f-EG exhibited significantly enhanced electrical conductivity, facilitating electrical signal transmission.
- The developed hydrogels demonstrated suitable mechanical properties, adhesion, and self-healing capabilities for neural tissue regeneration.
- Enhanced cell attachment and viability of SH-SY5Y cells were observed on EG- or f-EG-reinforced HA-C after electrical stimulation.
Conclusions:
- The developed HA-C hydrogel composites are promising biomaterials for SCI repair.
- These materials can fill injury sites, bridge damaged neural pathways, and mimic the spinal cord's bioelectrical properties.
- The findings support the potential of these hydrogels for restoring neural connectivity and function after SCI.
