Axon-like aligned conductive CNT/GelMA hydrogel fibers combined with electrical stimulation for spinal cord injury recovery

This study introduces a novel approach to spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery by combining regenerative medicine and rehabilitation. The approach involves conductive biomaterials that can bridge regenerative scaffolds with electrical stimulation to induce axon regeneration and support physiological electrical signal transmission. Aligned conductive hydrogel fibers were developed by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into methacrylate acylated gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel via rotating liquid bath electrospinning. These fibers mimic the structure, conductivity, and soft mechanical properties of neural axons. In vivo studies using a rat model of SCI showed that the combined approach of aligned CNT/GelMA hydrogel fibers and electrical stimulation significantly restored motor function. This suggests that conductive hydrogel fibers can induce neural regeneration and support electrical stimulation to promote SCI recovery.

• 1
  CNT/GelMA hydrogel fibers supported PC12 cell proliferation and aligned adhesion, which was enhanced by electrical stimulation (ES).
• 2
  The combination of aligned CNT/GelMA hydrogel fibers and ES promoted neuronal differentiation and axon-like neurite sprouting in neural stem cells (NSCs).
• 3
  The aligned structure of the hydrogel could induce the neural fibers regeneration, and the ES enhanced the remyelination and axonal regeneration.