Barrier-penetrating liposome targeted delivery of basic ﬁbroblast growth factor for spinal cord injury repair

Materials Today Bio, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100546 · Published: January 7, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study introduces a novel method for delivering a growth factor (bFGF) to the site of spinal cord injury (SCI) using specially designed nanoparticles called liposomes. These liposomes are designed to both target the injury site and penetrate the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB), which normally prevents drugs from reaching the spinal cord. The liposomes are modified with peptides (Cp and Rp) to enhance their targeting and penetration abilities, aiming to improve SCI treatment by promoting tissue repair and restoring motor function.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

160 Sprague Dawley rats (female, average weight 200–220 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The dual-targeted liposomes (bFGF@Lip-Cp&Rp) can effectively cross the BSCB and accumulate at the injury site in SCI rats.
2
bFGF@Lip-Cp&Rp promotes BSCB repair, facilitates M2-polarization of macrophages, increases angiogenesis, and suppresses neuronal apoptosis and axonal atrophy.
3
Continuous treatment with bFGF@Lip-Cp&Rp supports the restoration of limb motor function in SCI rats, indicating a promising therapeutic approach.

Research Summary

This research focuses on developing a dual-targeting liposome (bFGF@Lip-Cp&Rp) to deliver basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment, addressing the challenges of drug delivery to the injury site and penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB). The study demonstrates that these liposomes can effectively cross the BSCB, accumulate at the injury site, promote BSCB repair, increase angiogenesis, modulate macrophage polarization, and suppress neuronal apoptosis and axonal atrophy in SCI rats. The findings suggest that bFGF@Lip-Cp&Rp is a promising therapeutic approach for SCI treatment, as it supports the restoration of limb motor function in SCI rats due to good biocompatibility and excellent repairing effects of the liposomes.

Practical Implications

Targeted Drug Delivery

The dual-targeting liposome system can be used as a template for delivering other therapeutic agents to specific sites in the body, especially in the central nervous system.

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

The findings offer a potential new therapeutic avenue for treating spinal cord injuries by promoting tissue repair and functional recovery.

Clinical Applications

The good biocompatibility and repairing effects of the liposomes suggest potential for clinical translation and application in treating SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
The study is primarily conducted in vitro and in vivo using a rat model, and further research is needed to validate these findings in human clinical trials.
2
The long-term effects and potential side effects of continuous bFGF@Lip-Cp&Rp treatment are not fully explored.
3
The specific mechanisms by which bFGF@Lip-Cp&Rp promotes BSCB repair and macrophage polarization require further investigation.

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