Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2025, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (10): 2923-2937.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01706

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Activation of adult endogenous neurogenesis by a hyaluronic acid collagen gel containing basic fibroblast growth factor promotes remodeling and functional recovery of the injured cerebral cortex

Yan Li1, 2, 3, Peng Hao1 , Hongmei Duan1 , Fei Hao4 , Wen Zhao1 , Yudan Gao1 , Zhaoyang Yang1, *, Kwok-Fai So5, 6, 7, 8, 9, *, Xiaoguang Li1, 10, *   

  1. 1 Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China;  2 China Rehabilitation Science Institute, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China;  3 Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China;  4 Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, School of Engineering Medicine, Beihang University, Beijing, China;  5 Guangdong–HongKong–Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Ministry of Education CNS Regeneration Collaborative Joint Laboratory, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China;  6 Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China;  7 Department of Ophthalmology and State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China;  8 Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong–HongKong–Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China;  9 Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China;  10Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
  • Online:2025-10-15 Published:2025-02-09
  • Contact: Zhaoyang Yang, PhD, wack_lily@163.com; Kwok-Fai So, PhD, hrmaskf@hku.hk; Xiaoguang Li, PhD, lxgchina@sina.com.
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nos. 82272171 (to ZY), 82271403 (to XL), 81941011 (to XL), 31971279 (to ZY), 31730030 (to XL); and the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing, No. 7222004 (to HD).

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Abstract: The presence of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells in the adult mammalian brain suggests that the central nervous system can be repaired and regenerated after injury. However, whether it is possible to stimulate neurogenesis and reconstruct cortical layers II to VI in non-neurogenic regions, such as the cortex, remains unknown. In this study, we implanted a hyaluronic acid collagen gel loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor into the motor cortex immediately following traumatic injury. Our findings reveal that this gel effectively stimulated the proliferation and migration of endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells, as well as their differentiation into mature and functionally integrated neurons. Importantly, these new neurons reconstructed the architecture of cortical layers II to VI, integrated into the existing neural circuitry, and ultimately led to improved brain function. These findings offer novel insight into potential clinical treatments for traumatic cerebral cortex injuries.

Key words: adult endogenous neurogenesis,  , basic fibroblast growth factor-hyaluronic acid collagen gel,  , cortical remodeling, functional recovery,  , migration,  , motor cortex injury,  , neural circuits,  , neural stem cells,  , newborn neurons,  , proliferation