Title:Recent Advances and Patents for Nerve Scaffold Biomaterials and their Use for Local, Non-Viral Delivery of Growth Factors and Nucleic Acids
VOLUME: 5 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Justin M. Saul and James B. Clarke
Affiliation:Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering, Miami University, Saul, 650 East High Street, Room 064L, Oxford, OH 45056.
Keywords:Controlled release, local delivery, biomedical devices, interfering RNA, gene delivery
Abstract:Injuries to the peripheral and central nervous system represent difficult physical challenges for those suffering
from these injuries as well as a significant cost to the U.S. healthcare system. Treatment methods include electrical stimulation,
improved rehabilitation techniques, cell therapies, and biomaterials. Biomaterial solutions to the challenges of
nerve injury offer a potential long-term solution if used alone or in combination with other treatment modalities, and have
therefore received considerable attention for product development. Controlled release of protein-based therapeutics such
as growth factors is likely to be a critical design component to achieving long-term success with biomaterials. We consider
the alternative approach of nucleic acid delivery through non-viral approaches as a means to achieve spatio-temporal
control over growth factor delivery. We also describe promising aspects of non-viral delivery methods of antisense (e.g.,
siRNA) from biomaterials for nerve regeneration that could help to overcome the challenges of up-regulation of inhibitory
molecules following injury.
