Ferrostatin-1 loaded Gelatin methacrylate scaffold promotes recovery from spinal cord injury via inhibiting apoptosis and ferroptosis
Shuili Jing, Yujing Liu, Z. Ye, Abdullkhaleg Ali Albashari, Heng Zhou, Yan He
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic disease that seriously damages the central nervous system, which will bring a heavy burden to patients physically, mentally and economically. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered mode of cell death in recent years. It has been found that ferroptosis is related to a variety of diseases (stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.), and plays a major role in secondary injury after spinal cord injury. Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) is a potent inhibitor of ferroptosis that has been shown to improve functional recovery after SCI by alleviating white matter damage. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels can carry drugs/nanomaterials into the body and have a slow release and physical support. However, the specific role of the GelMA hydrogel-based Fer1 slow-release system in neuronal iron death after SCI remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that the Fer@GelMA slow-release system inhibits apoptosis and promotes neuronal survival by inhibiting ferroptosis, ultimately rescuing damaged tissue and promoting recovery of SCI motor function. This discovery may provide a new treatment strategy for SCI.