Induction of angiogenesis and neural progenitor cells by basic fibroblast growth factor‐releasing polyglycolic acid sheet following focal cerebral infarction in mice

Biodegradable sheets loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are prepared as novel bFGF‐releasing systems from polyglycolic acid nonwoven fabric by oxygen plasma treatment followed by bFGF adsorption. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of this system on a focal cerebral infarction model (CB‐17 mouse). A preliminary in vitro study showed that this system released bFGF in an acellular culture medium, thereby keeping the bFGF concentration in the medium at ≥5 ng/ml for a prolonged period of 7 days. The released bFGF from this system retained its biological activity to enhance endothelial tube formation in vitro. In a mouse model of subacute focal cerebral infarction, this system increased the expression of endogenous vascular endothelial growth factor in the peri‐infarct cortex and subventricular zone, promoted angiogenesis in the striatum, and increased neural progenitor cells in the peri‐infarct cortex. Thus, this bFGF‐releasing system has the potential to be a novel therapeutic approach for cerebral infarction.