Brachyury-Activated Fucoidan Hydrogel Microspheres Rejuvenate Degenerative Intervertebral Discs Microenvironment.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolic disorders and the establishment of inflammatory microenvironment are the primary pathological alterations associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). The inflammatory microenvironment promotes ECM degradation, further exacerbating the vicious cycle of nucleus pulposus (NP) degeneration. This study introduces the mRNA encoding a novel therapeutic transcription factor, Brachyury (Bry), into nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) using an injectable microsphere system composed of biomimetic GelMA/Fucoidan (FU) dual-component hydrogel (GF) and surface chemically grafted lipid nanoparticles (LNP) (BLNP@GF). The study aims to alleviate inflammatory response in the NP while restoring the ECM secretion function of NPCs and enhancing the ability of NPCs to w

SUBMITTER: Gong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12442695 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature