Nanoparticle Delivery of Fidgetin siRNA as a Microtubule-based Therapy to Augment Nerve Regeneration

The study explores a new way to help damaged nerves regrow by using nanoparticles to deliver a special molecule (siRNA) that reduces the amount of a protein called fidgetin in nerve cells. Fidgetin normally cuts microtubules, which are like tiny support beams inside nerve cells. By reducing fidgetin, the researchers aimed to increase the flexible, 'labile' part of these support beams, which they believe helps nerves grow better. The results showed that this nanoparticle delivery method successfully got the siRNA into nerve cells, reduced fidgetin levels, increased the flexible microtubules, and helped the nerves grow, even in the presence of substances that normally stop nerve growth.

• 1
  Nanoparticle delivery of fidgetin siRNA increases labile microtubule mass in the axons of cultured rat adult DRG neurons.
• 2
  Fidgetin knockdown results in increased axonal outgrowth in a manner dependent upon unacetylated tubulin.
• 3
  Fidgetin knockdown promotes axonal growth on non-permissive substrate.