Injectable neural hydrogel as

Purpose: This study demonstrated Methods: Rat-derived iPN hydrogel solutions were combined with a dextran-dye before subcutaneous injection into adult Sprague Dawley rats. After injection, an Results: Gelation of iPN hydrogels was successful upon subcutaneous injection. When combined with iPN, a 10 kDa dextran-dye was reduced to 54% its initial signal at 24 hours, while PLGA-encapsulated dextran-dye in iPN was only reduced to 78% by 24 hours. Modified media stimulation resulted in changes in ASC phenotype and dramatic upregulation of VEGF secretion. The PLGA encapsulation protocol was adapted for use with temperature sensitive biomolecules, however, considerations must be made with loading efficiency for cell secretome as the maximum efficiency was 28%. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated successful injection and subsequent gelation of our iPN hydrogel formulation Lay Summary: We developed an injectable decellularized tissue scaffold from rat peripheral nerve tissue (called iPN), a potential minimally invasive therapeutic meant to fill lesion spaces after injury. This study was the first demonstration of iPN delivery to a living animal. The iPN solution was injected subcutaneously in a rat and properly formed a gelled material upon entering the body. Our results showed that encapsulating biomolecules in an FDA-approved polymer (PLGA) slowed the release of biomolecules from the iPN, which could allow therapeutics more time around the scaffold to help repair native tissue. Lastly, we investigated one potential avenue for combining iPN with other regenerative cues obtained from adipose-derived stem cells. Description of Future Works: Future work must focus on optimal loading conditions and release profiles from the iPN hydrogels. Next steps will be applying iPN in various combination therapies for spinal cord injury. We will focus efforts on developing a pro-regenerative secretome that directly promotes neurite extension and neural cell infiltration into iPN scaffolds upon transplantation in spinal cord.