Injectable hydrogels as novel materials for central nervous system regeneration

APPROACH: Injuries of the central nervous system (CNS) can cause serious and permanent disability due to limited regeneration ability of the CNS. Presently available therapies are focused on lesion spreading inhibition rather than on tissue regeneration. Recent investigations in the field of neural tissue engineering indicate extremely promising properties of novel injectable and non-injectable hydrogels which are tailored to serve as biodegradable scaffolds for CNS regeneration. OBJECTIVE: This review discusses the state-of-the-art and barriers in application of novel polymer-based hydrogels without and with nanoparticles for CNS regeneration. MAIN RESULTS: Pure hydrogels suffer from lack of similarities to natural neural tissue. Many of the biological studies indicated nano-additives in hydrogels may improve their topography, mechanical properties, electroconductivity and biological functions. The most promising biomaterials which meet the requirements of CNS tissue engineering seem to be injectable thermosensitive hydrogels loaded with specific micro-and nanoparticles. SIGNIFICANCE: We highlight injectable hydrogels with various micro-and nanoparticles, because of novelty and attractiveness of this type of materials for CNS regeneration and future development perspectives.