PulseExploreJournal ClubDebatesTrendingResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeExploreJournal ClubTrending
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
April 10, 2026Small Structures2 citationsOpen Access

Injectable Liposome‐Anchored Hydrogel Microspheres Promote Spinal Cord Injury Repair by Modulating the Inflammatory Microenvironment and Recruiting Endogenous Stem Cells

View Full Paper
HWHao WangWZWenjun ZouKSKelv Shen

Key Points

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of liposome-anchored hydrogel microspheres in modulating inflammation and promoting spinal cord injury repair.
  • Developed a liposome-hydrogel composite with dual functions.
  • Conducted release assays for Rg1 and SDF1α.
  • Induced macrophage polarization in vitro and analyzed cytokine secretion.
  • Performed in vivo tests for inflammation control and motor function improvement.
  • Achieved 74.8% release of Rg1 by day 7 and sustained SDF1α release by day 28.
  • Enhanced M2 macrophage polarization and IL-10 secretion in vitro.
  • Suppressed acute inflammation and reduced scar formation in vivo.
  • Promoted neuronal regeneration and improved hindlimb motor function outcomes.

Abstract

Early local inflammatory response following spinal cord injury (SCI) hinders achievement of satisfactory clinical outcomes because of surrounding bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) dysfunction and endogenous repair mechanisms inhibition. In this study, we develop a liposome‐anchored hydrogel microsphere composite with dual functionality: modulating inflammation and promoting neural repair. Cationic liposomes modified with aldehyde groups (R‐L), encapsulating traditional Chinese medicine monomer Rg1, are fabricated using thin‐film dispersion method. These liposomes are subsequently combined with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) microspheres loaded with stem cell chemoattractant SDF1α via a spontaneous Schiff base reaction and electrostatic adsorption, forming the composite R‐L@S‐GMs. Release assays reveal that Rg1 reaches a cumulative release of 74.8% by day 7, while SDF1α releases more gradually, reaching a comparable level by day 28. In vitro, R‐L@S‐GMs effectively induce macrophage polarization toward M2 phenotype, significantly enhance anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 secretion, and promote neuronal differentiation of recruited BMSCs. In vivo, local injection of R‐L@S‐GMs effectively suppresses local and systemic acute inflammatory responses, reduces scar formation, promotes angiogenesis and neuronal regeneration, and consequently improve hindlimb motor function. In conclusion, R‐L@S‐GMs developed in this study successfully reconcile early‐phase inflammation control with late‐stage neural repair, offering promising potential for minimally invasive therapies in SCI.

Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Wang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d895046c1944d70ce05f70https://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202500875
Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper