bFGF-like Activity Supported Tissue Regeneration, Modulated Neuroinﬂammation, and Rebalanced Ca2+ Homeostasis following Spinal Cord Injury

Int. J. Mol. Sci., 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914654 · Published: September 27, 2023

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to permanent changes in motor, sensory, and autonomic functions due to secondary mechanisms like inflammation and glial cell activation. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can modulate neurotrophic activity and promote tissue repair in CNS disorders, but its therapeutic use is limited by undesirable effects. A synthetic compound, SUN11602, mimicking bFGF, has shown neuroprotective activities and a good pharmacokinetic profile. This study investigates its effect on tissue regeneration, neuroinflammation, and calcium overload in a mouse model of SCI.

Study Duration

10 days

Participants

Male adult CD1 mice, 6–8 weeks old (25–30 g, N = 10 mice for each group)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
SUN11602 treatment significantly decreased motor alteration and diminished the neuroinflammatory state through the regulation of glial activation, the NF-κB pathway, and kinases.
2
SUN11602 therapy restored the equilibrium of the neuronal circuit by controlling Ca2+-binding proteins and restoring neurotrophin expression.
3
bFGF-like compounds may be an effective tool for reducing inflammation in SCI patients while enhancing their quality of life.

Research Summary

This study investigates the neuroprotective activity of SUN11602, a bFGF-like compound, in modulating tissue regeneration, neuroinflammation, and Ca2+ overload using a subacute mouse model of SCI. SUN11602 treatment considerably decreased motor alteration, diminished the neuroinflammatory state, regulated glial activation and the NF-κB pathway, and restored neurotrophin expression. The findings suggest that bFGF-like compounds may be an effective tool for reducing inflammation in SCI patients while enhancing their quality of life.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

SUN11602 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to promote tissue regeneration and neuronal survival following SCI.

Neuroinflammation Management

The study highlights the potential of SUN11602 in managing neuroinflammation by modulating glial activation and the NF-κB pathway.

Calcium Homeostasis Restoration

SUN11602 demonstrates the ability to restore calcium homeostasis, a critical factor in neuronal health and function after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Animal model limits
2
Future in-depth clinical research is required to corroborate these early ﬁndings
3
Pharmaco-toxicological aspects of the SUN11602 compound need to be studied further

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