Local Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Using a Dental Pulp Stem Cell Encapsulated H2S Releasing Multifunctional Injectable Hydrogel

This study introduces a new hydrogel designed to help heal spinal cord injuries (SCI). The hydrogel contains dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and releases hydrogen sulfide (H2S), aiming to reduce inflammation and promote nerve regeneration. The hydrogel uses modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to carry and release H2S in a controlled way. These nanoparticles are incorporated into a Pluronic F127 (PF-127) hydrogel, which is biocompatible and can be easily injected into the injury site. In tests with rats, the hydrogel improved SCI recovery by reducing inflammation and supporting the growth of new nerve cells. This suggests it could be a promising treatment for SCI in humans.

• 1
  The PF-OMSF@JK composite hydrogel significantly improves in vivo SCI regeneration in Sprague–Dawley rats through a reduction in inflammation and neuronal differentiation of the incorporated stem cells.
• 2
  OMSF@JK incorporated PF-127 injectable hydrogel (PF-OMSF@JK) has a soft consistency similar to that of the human spinal cord and thus, shows a high cytocompatibility with DPSCs.
• 3
  The composite hydrogel prolonged the release of H2S, which enabled control of inflammation and proved advantageous for the differentiation of the incorporated DPSCs, eventually responsible for the formation of new tissue at the CI site.