Basic fibroblast growth factor sustained-release system promotes neurogenesis and tissue repair after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is accompanied by a substantial loss of neurons. Cell replacement therapy improves motor and sensory dysfunction by replacing dead neurons, and endogenous neurogenesis is an important cell replacement source. Stimulating endogenous neurogenesis is therefore a viable approach for treating spinal cord injury. Given that basic fibroblast growth factor is a potent inducer of neurogenesis, we developed a sustained-release system of basic fibroblast growth factor-chitosan to enhance tissue repair in spinal cord injury. In the present study, we isolated neural stem cells from the spinal cords of neonatal rats and used single-cell RNA sequencing to trace the complete process of neurogenesis under ex vivo culture conditions. Under the influence of basic fibroblast growth factor-chitosan, neural stem cells were able to transition from a quiescent state to an activated state and subsequently differentiate into neuronal precursor cells and immature neurons. Additionally, basic fibroblast growth factor-chitosan significantly enhanced neural stem cell proliferation in vitro and promoted neuronal generation. Subsequent in vivo experiments confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor-chitosan in spinal cord injury, demonstrating enhanced neurogenesis and tissue repair.