Daniel Tornero and Alba Ortega Gascó, lead authors of the study

A research team from the Institute of Neurosciences of the University of Barcelona (UBneuro) and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Barcelona has developed a new experimental approach to enhance brain repair after injury. The study, led by Alba Ortega Gascó and Daniel Tornero, describes how combining stem cell therapy with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can promote neuronal maturation, connectivity, and functional recovery.

Published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the work provides new insights into the biological mechanisms that support neuronal regeneration and synaptic plasticity; key processes for developing future treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries.

A combined approach to enhance neuronal repair

The researchers used human skin cells reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate neuronal cultures in the laboratory. By combining this cellular model with the continuous production of BDNF, they obtained more mature and active neurons, demonstrating the synergistic potential of stem cell–based and molecular therapies.

The study highlights how the overexpression of BDNF not only strengthens neuronal activity but also promotes the growth and guidance of axons, which are essential for restoring functional neural connections after brain damage.

A microfluidic model for studying axonal attraction

Using a microchip culture system, the team was able to visualize how BDNF influences axonal growth and directionality in neurons derived from human stem cells. This setup allowed the observation of two separate neuronal populations — one capable of producing BDNF and one not — interacting through microchannels, recreating a dynamic environment to study neuronal communication and projection formation.

Implications for neuroregenerative medicine

The findings open new perspectives for improving stem cell–based treatments targeting neurodegenerative diseases and injuries such as stroke. They also provide a valuable model for investigating neuronal development and connectivity under controlled laboratory conditions.

Further preclinical studies will be essential to determine the safety and efficacy of these strategies before their translation to clinical applications. However, the results represent a significant step toward more effective therapies aimed at restoring brain function.

References

Ortega-Gascó, A., Percopo, F., Font-Guixé, A., Ramos-Bartolomé, S., Cami-Bonet, A., Magem-Planas, M., Fabrellas-Monsech, M., Esquirol-Albalá, E., Goulet, L., Fornos-Zapater, S., Arcas-Márquez, A., Haeb, A.-C., Gómez-Bravo, C., Introna, C., Canals, J. M., & Tornero, D. (2025). BDNF Overexpression Enhances Neuronal Activity and Axonal Growth in Human iPSC-Derived Neural Cultures. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(15), 7262. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157262