Delivery of pOXR1 through an injectable liposomal nanoparticle enhances spinal cord injury regeneration by alleviating oxidative stress

Bioactive Materials, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.03.001 · Published: March 2, 2021

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the role of Oxidation Resistance 1 (OXR1) in spinal cord injury (SCI) and explores a new way to deliver OXR1 using nanoparticles to help with recovery. OXR1 is known to protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. The researchers created nanoparticles containing the OXR1 gene (pOXR1) and tested them in a rat model of SCI. The nanoparticles were designed to protect the gene and deliver it effectively to the injured spinal cord. The results showed that delivering pOXR1 using these nanoparticles reduced cell death, decreased oxidative stress, and improved functional recovery in the rats with SCI, suggesting a potential new treatment approach.

Study Duration

28 Days

Participants

286 Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
OXR1 expression increases after spinal cord injury and appears to have a protective effect.
2
The developed nanoparticles (Nps-pOXR1-Lip) effectively deliver pOXR1 into cells, reducing DNA degradation and cytotoxicity.
3
Nps-pOXR1-Lip treatment promotes functional recovery after SCI by reducing neuronal apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the function of OXR1 in SCI and developed an available carrier for delivering the OXR1 plasmid (pOXR1). The particle size of pOXR1 was compressed to 58 nm, which suggests that pOXR1 can be encapsulated inside liposomes with high encapsulation efficiency and stability to enhance the transfection efficiency. Nps-pOXR1-Lip promoted functional recovery by alleviating neuronal apoptosis, attenuating oxidative stress and inhibiting inflammation. Therefore, our study provides considerable evidence that OXR1 is a beneficial factor in resistance to SCI and that Nps-Lip-pOXR1 exerts therapeutic effects in acute traumatic SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The Nps-pOXR1-Lip nanoparticle shows promise as a gene therapy tool for treating acute traumatic SCI.

Targeting Oxidative Stress

OXR1 is identified as a beneficial factor in resistance to SCI, highlighting the importance of addressing oxidative stress in SCI treatment.

Drug Delivery

The liposomal nanoparticle delivery system enhances plasmid efficiency, concentration, and biological stability, providing a potential platform for delivering other therapeutic genes.

Study Limitations

1
The study primarily focuses on acute traumatic SCI and may not fully address chronic SCI or other types of spinal cord injuries.
2
The study is conducted on rats, and further research is needed to confirm these findings in human clinical trials.
3
The long-term effects of Nps-pOXR1-Lip treatment and the detailed mechanisms of OXR1 action require further investigation.

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