We hypothesize that the presence of high MW HA (HA with limited degradation) after SCI will decrease glial scarring.

In addition, stiffness-matched high MW HA hydrogels crosslinked to resist degradation were implanted in a rat model of spinal dorsal hemisection injury.

The ratio of low MW to high MW alginates used to form gels was also varied, while maintaining the gel forming ability of the polymer.

Confluent, morphologically-healthy cultures of endothelial cells were achieved only on materials grafted with low molecular weight HA, but not high MW HA, heparin, or PEG.

Results clearly showed efficient BBB crossing of albumin in all injected mice, underlying the ability of NPs to deliver high MW molecules to the brain.