An engineering-reinforced extracellular vesicle–integrated hydrogel with an ROS-responsive release pattern mitigates spinal cord injury

The study focuses on improving the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCI) by using modified extracellular vesicles (EVs) delivered via a hydrogel. The EVs are enhanced to have better pro-angiogenic, neurotrophic, and anti-inflammatory effects. These modified EVs are then integrated into a hydrogel that releases them in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are indicative of injury severity. This allows for a controlled and on-demand release of the therapeutic EVs. The topical injection of this EV-integrated hydrogel into SCI rats showed a notable reduction in injury severity and improved functional recovery, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach for central nervous system injuries.

• 1
  The study successfully created a hydrogel that releases EVs in response to ROS, allowing for on-demand regulation of SCI treatment.
• 2
  3EVs exhibited promoted pro-angiogenic and neurotrophic capacities, which are urgently needed in vessel and neuron recovery after SCI.
• 3
  3EVs-Dxm-Gel posed localized EV release for at least 1 week and sustainably inhibited oxidation damage and inflammation in the acute phase.