Regenerative therapies for central nervous system diseases: a biomaterials approach

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014 Jan;39(1):169-88. doi: 10.1038/npp.2013.237. Epub 2013 Sep 4.

Abstract

The central nervous system (CNS) has a limited capacity to spontaneously regenerate following traumatic injury or disease, requiring innovative strategies to promote tissue and functional repair. Tissue regeneration strategies, such as cell and/or drug delivery, have demonstrated promising results in experimental animal models, but have been difficult to translate clinically. The efficacy of cell therapy, which involves stem cell transplantation into the CNS to replace damaged tissue, has been limited due to low cell survival and integration upon transplantation, while delivery of therapeutic molecules to the CNS using conventional methods, such as oral and intravenous administration, have been limited by diffusion across the blood-brain/spinal cord-barrier. The use of biomaterials to promote graft survival and integration as well as localized and sustained delivery of biologics to CNS injury sites is actively being pursued. This review will highlight recent advances using biomaterials as cell- and drug-delivery vehicles for CNS repair.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / therapeutic use*
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / therapy*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / therapeutic use
  • Nerve Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Nerve Degeneration / therapy*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Hydrogels
  • Neuroprotective Agents