Phase-adapted metal ion supply for spinal cord repair with a Mg–Zn incorporated chimeric microsphere

Abstract

Dynamic alterations in metal ion concentrations are observed in the pathological process of spinal cord injury (SCI). Hence, strategically supplying metal ions in a phase-adapted manner is promising to facilitate injured spinal cord repair by preventing pathological damage. To achieve this, a chimeric hydrogel microsphere with Mg²⁺-crosslinked methacrylate gelatin as the "shell" and Zn²⁺-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as the "core" was designed. The chimeric microspheres allow continuous delivery of Mg²⁺ or Zn²⁺ at the exact required phase in SCI pathological process. Early release of Mg²⁺ reduced inflammation by diminishing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines due to changes in macrophage polarization, which further suppressed scar formation to create an ideal space for neural regeneration. The subsequently released Zn²⁺ at the late phase effectively promoted neural cell proliferation and regeneration, which was accompanied by activation of mature neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons, leading to significant behavioral recovery. Thus, this study underscores the critical role of metal ions at different phases of injured spinal cord repair and describes the construction of an injectable chimeric hydrogel microsphere carrying distinct metal ions with a core-shell structure. Chimeric microspheres overcome the discrepancy between the inflammatory response and neural regeneration and are a promising therapeutic strategy for injured spinal cord repair.