title: Intraspinal Delivery of Polyethylene Glycol-coated Gold Nanoparticles Promotes Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury.
abstract: Failure of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate effectively after injury leads to mostly irreversible functional impairment. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising candidates for drug delivery in combination with tissue-compatible reagents, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG administration in CNS injury models has received interest for potential therapy, but toxicity and low bioavailability prevents clinical application. Here we show that intraspinal delivery of PEG-functionalized 40-nm-AuNPs at early stages after mouse spinal cord injury is beneficial for recovery. Positive outcome of hind limb motor function was accompanied by attenuated inflammatory response, enhanced motor neuron survival, and increased myelination of spared or regrown/sprouted axons. No adverse effects, such as body weight loss, ill health, or increased mortality were observed. We propose that PEG-AuNPs represent a favorable drug-delivery platform with therapeutic potential that could be further enhanced if PEG-AuNPs are used as carriers of regeneration-promoting molecules.
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors: Florentia
authors: F
authors: Papastefanaki
authors: Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Experimental Neurophysiology, University Hospital Cologne, Köln, Germany; Current address: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bonn, Germany.
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Jakovcevski
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors: Nafsika
authors: N
authors: Poulia
authors: Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Nevena
authors: N
authors: Djogo
authors: Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Schulz
authors: Institute of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: Martinovic
authors: Institute of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors: Darko
authors: D
authors: Ciric
authors: Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Gabrielle
authors: G
authors: Loers
authors: Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Vossmeyer
authors: Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Horst
authors: H
authors: Weller
authors: Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Guandong, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: schachner@stu.edu.cn.
authors: Melitta
authors: M
authors: Schachner
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: rmatsa@pasteur.gr.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Matsas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006046:Gold