In a new study, Gopal Agarwal, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Schmidt Lab, has made a key contribution to central nervous system (CNS) regeneration. As the lead author, Agarwal helped develop a new injectable hydrogel made from decellularized human nerve tissue. This material shows promise for supporting recovery after spinal cord injuries (SCI) and other CNS damage.

The hydrogel, called iHPN, is made from human sciatic nerves using a process that removes the cells while keeping the supportive tissue structures, known as the extracellular matrix (ECM). This allows the hydrogel to closely mimic the properties of real nerve tissue, making it an ideal material for supporting regeneration. Unlike traditional materials that come from animals or synthetic sources, iHPN is made from human tissue, which could make it more suitable for clinical use.

One of the study’s main findings iHPN can help reduce inflammation, which is a major obstacle to recovery after SCI and other CNS injuries. In laboratory tests, the hydrogel helped reduce the inflammation in cells that are typically activated after injury, including astrocytes, microglia, and macrophages. This ability to reduce inflammation suggests that iHPN could help with the healing process by addressing one of the most common complications in CNS injuries.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, iHPN also showed positive results in encouraging the growth of nerve cells, Agarwal said. When tested with human nerve cells, the hydrogel improved cell survival and supported better development of neurons, suggesting that it could help in rebuilding damaged nerve tissue.

The Schmidt Lab is exploring how iHPN could be used in other ways, such as a delivery system for cells or drugs. This could further support recovery after SCI and other CNS injuries. Future studies will focus on testing iHPN in living organisms to better understand its potential for aiding regeneration.