A SCALABLE MULTILAYERED HYDROGEL DELIVERING STROMAL VASCULAR FRACTION FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY REPAIR

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological condition with limited therapeutic options. Cell-based strategies have shown promise, but their clinical translation is hampered by poor cell survival, limited trophic support, and lack of scalable delivery systems. This study aims to evaluate the functionality of a reproducible multilayered hydrogel loaded with stromal vascular fraction (SVF), focusing on cell survival, trophic factor release, and therapeutic efficacy following SCI.

SVF was purified from human liposuction and incorporated into multilayered hydrogels designed to optimize cell survival and factor release. Cell survival within the hydrogel was assessed over time, together with the capacity to secrete trophic factors relevant to neuroprotection and tissue repair. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in a preclinical model of SCI. Neuropathological analyses were performed to investigate tissue preservation and the involvement of distinct cellular populations associated with the treatment.

The hydrogel support sustained SVF cell viability over time and preserved the ability of embedded cells to release trophic factors. In vivo, treatment with the SVF-loaded hydrogel resulted in improved tissue preservation and modulation of the injury environment. Neuropathological analyses revealed the modulation of multiple cellular populations, suggesting a multifaceted contribution to the observed therapeutic effects.

This study clearly shows that the multilayered hydrogel is a functional, scalable, and reproducible system that supports the delivery of SVF in SCI, supporting cell survival, trophic activity, and therapeutic efficacy, with high potential for translational applications.