Significance
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating lesion, lacking effective treatment options currently available in clinics. Here we delineated that the treatment of injured spinal cord with porcine brain decellularized matrix-based hydrogels for the first time, and could modulate the macrophage polarization and the ultimate functional recovery. When appropriate formulations were applied to a contused spinal cord model in rats, the decellularized matrix hydrogels shifted the macrophages to polarize to pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, decreased the size of lesion cavity, and finally promoted the locomotor functions until 8 weeks following the injury. We consider this work can significantly augment the matrix(biomaterial)-based therapeutic options, as an alternative to drug or cell-free approaches, for the treatment of acute injury of spinal cord.
Statement of significance
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating lesion, lacking effective treatment options currently available in clinics. Here we delineated that the treatment of injured spinal cord with porcine brain decellularized matrix-based hydrogels for the first time, and could modulate the macrophage polarization and the ultimate functional recovery. When appropriate formulations were applied to a contused spinal cord model in rats, the decellularized matrix hydrogels shifted the macrophages to polarize to pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, decreased the size of lesion cavity, and finally promoted the locomotor functions until 8 weeks following the injury. We consider this work can significantly augment the matrix(biomaterial)-based therapeutic options, as an alternative to drug or cell-free approaches, for the treatment of acute injury of spinal cord.