SVF Combined with HGF-Functionalized Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogel Promotes Spinal Cord Injury Repair in Rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder. The development of effective therapies to ameliorate the consequences of SCI represents a major challenge and a central priority of international biomedical research. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) derived from adipose tissue possesses considerable functional potential. SVF is a heterogeneous mixture of cells that act synergistically. However, after local transplantation, SVF is rapidly cleared via the bloodstream, and its poor survival severely compromises therapeutic efficacy. To overcome this limitation, we employed a self-assembling peptide nanohydrogel HGF-RADA16-IKVAV (where HGF denotes the tripeptide histidine-glycine-phenylalanine) as a scaffold to enhance SVF retention and efficacy in a rat model of SCI. Implantation of SVF and HGF into the injured spinal cord demonstrated that this combined therapy significantly modulated the inflammatory response, increased neuronal survival, and promoted a denser network of axon tracts. Consequently, the SVF-encapsulated HGF hydrogel resulted in superior restoration of limb movement and reduced neuropathic pain. Proteomic analysis confirmed that the combined treatment shifted the injury-induced molecular landscape, particularly in immune and inflammatory pathways. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that this combinatorial strategy represents an effective therapeutic paradigm for SCI.