Black phosphorus nanosheets enhance differentiation of neural progenitor cells for improved treatment in spinal cord injury

Abstract

Stem cell transplantation holds great potential as a treatment option for nerve damage diseases. However, the therapeutic effects are significantly impeded by low survival rate and uncontrolled differentiation of stem cells. In this study, black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNs), which are biodegradable inorganic nanomaterials, are first revealed with remarkable abilities to regulate cellular redox homeostasis, enhance transplant survival rate of stem cells, and facilitate neural differentiation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). These effects of BPNs are proved to be associated with the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (Nrf2) pathways in NPCs. In vivo, BPNs-treated NPCs could effectively inhibit inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis in the mice with spinal cord injury (SCI). In addition, BPNs-treated NPCs more effectively reduce glial scar formation and promote axon regeneration compared with natural NPCs in SCI site. These findings collectively support the therapeutic potentials of BPNs for advanced stem cell transplantation and neural tissue engineering in the future.

Ke Cheng

Postdoctoral Researcher

My research interests lie at the surface of chemistry and biology, where I am deeply passionate about applying innovative chemistry to advance fields such as chemoproteomics, drug discovery, nanomedicine, and theranostics. My aim is to provide robust methodologies for mapping biological interactomes, accelerating drug development, and expanding therapeutic opportunities.