DataSheet2_Delivery of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Through an In Situ Forming Smart Hydrogel Activates Autophagy in Schwann Cells and Improves Facial Nerves Generation via the PAK-1 Signaling Pathway.ZIP

Although studies have shown that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can activate autophagy and promote peripheral nerve repair, the role and the molecular mechanism of action of bFGF in the facial nerve are not clear. In this study, a thermosensitive in situ forming poloxamer hydrogel was used as a vehicle to deliver bFGF for treating facial nerve injury (FNI) in the rat model. Using H&E and Masson’s staining, we found that bFGF hydrogel can promote the functional recovery and regeneration of the facial nerve. Furthermore, studies on the mechanism showed that bFGF can promote FNI recovery by promoting autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis. Additionally, this study demonstrated that the role of hydrogel binding bFGF in nerve repair was mediated through the activation of the PAK1 signaling pathway in Schwann cells (SCs). These results indicated that poloxamer thermosensitive hydrogel loaded with bFGF can significantly restore the morphology and function of the injured facial nerve by promoting autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis by activating the PAK1 pathway, which can provide a promising strategy for FNI recovery.

尽管已有研究表明碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（basic fibroblast growth factor, bFGF）可激活自噬并促进周围神经修复，但bFGF在面神经中的作用及其分子作用机制仍不明确。本研究采用热敏型原位自成型泊洛沙姆水凝胶作为载体递送bFGF，用于大鼠模型的面神经损伤（facial nerve injury, FNI）治疗。通过苏木精-伊红（H&E）染色与马松（Masson）染色分析，本研究发现bFGF水凝胶可促进面神经的功能恢复与再生。进一步的机制研究表明，bFGF可通过激活自噬、抑制细胞凋亡来促进面神经损伤修复。此外，本研究证实，结合bFGF的水凝胶在神经修复中的作用，是通过激活雪旺细胞（Schwann cells, SCs）中的PAK1信号通路介导实现的。上述结果表明，负载bFGF的泊洛沙姆热敏水凝胶可通过激活PAK1通路促进自噬、抑制细胞凋亡，显著恢复受损面神经的形态与功能，为面神经损伤的修复提供了极具潜力的治疗策略。