Collagen-Binding Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) alone or with a Gelatin- furfurylamine Hydrogel Enhances Functional Recovery in Mice after Spinal Cord Injury

Scientific Reports, 2018 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19316-y · Published: January 22, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study investigates a novel approach to treat spinal cord injury (SCI) using a modified protein called collagen-binding hepatocyte growth factor (CBD-HGF). HGF is known to help nerve regeneration, but the modification helps it stay in place longer. The researchers tested CBD-HGF alone and in combination with a gelatin-based hydrogel, which acts as a scaffold to support tissue growth. They found that CBD-HGF, especially when combined with the hydrogel, improved recovery in mice with SCI. This approach appears promising for treating serious spinal cord injuries because it promotes nerve regeneration and reduces inflammation at the injury site.

Study Duration

6-8 weeks post-injury

Participants

Female C57Bl/6 mice (8–9 weeks old)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
CBD-HGF has a higher binding affinity to spinal cord tissue and gelatin-FA hydrogel compared to unmodified HGF, allowing it to remain in the spinal cord longer.
2
In mice with spinal cord compression injury, a single administration of CBD-HGF significantly improved motor function recovery compared to unmodified HGF.
3
In mice with complete spinal cord transection, CBD-HGF combined with gelatin-FA hydrogel promoted neural regeneration and functional recovery more effectively than HGF with hydrogel.

Research Summary

The study evaluates the neurorestorative effects of an engineered HGF with a collagen binding domain (CBD-HGF) alone and in combination with gelatin-FA hydrogel for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment in mice. CBD-HGF remained in the spinal cord for a longer duration compared to unmodified HGF and enhanced recovery from spinal cord compression injury. CBD-HGF combined with gelatin-FA hydrogel promoted endogenous repair and recovery more effectively than HGF with hydrogel in mice with complete transection injury, suggesting its potential for treating serious SCI.

Practical Implications

Targeted Drug Delivery

CBD-HGF allows for more targeted and sustained delivery of HGF to the injury site, potentially improving treatment efficacy.

Scaffold-Based Therapy

The combination of CBD-HGF with gelatin-FA hydrogel provides a promising scaffold-based therapy for severe SCI by promoting neural regeneration and reducing scar formation.

Reduced Inflammation

CBD-HGF can ameliorate inflammation after spinal cord injury, possibly through reducing cytokine/chemokine responses.

Study Limitations

1
The precise mechanisms by which CBD-HGF exerts its anti-inflammatory properties and contributes to functional recovery from compression injury remain unclear.
2
How gelatin-FA hydrogel supports tissue repair and when it is absorbed and replaced by regenerated tissue in the transection model are unknown.
3
The functional recovery achieved with CBD-HGF and gelatin-FA hydrogel in the transection model was not fully satisfactory, indicating further improvements are needed.

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