Biodegradable Microcapsules Loaded with Nerve Growth Factor Enable Neurite Guidance and Synapse Formation

Kopach, Olga; Pavlov, Anton M.; Sindeeva, Olga A.; Sukhorukov, Gleb B.; Rusakov, Dmitri A.

doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13010025

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Biodegradable Microcapsules Loaded with Nerve Growth Factor Enable Neurite Guidance and Synapse Formation

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Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK

School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK

Remote Controlled Theranostic Systems Laboratory, Saratov State University, 83 Astrakhanskaya Street, 410012 Saratov, Russia

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Center for Neurobiology and Brain Restoration, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, 3 Nobel Street, 143005 Moscow, Russia

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13010025

Received: 22 November 2020 / Revised: 17 December 2020 / Accepted: 18 December 2020 / Published: 25 December 2020

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Nanoparticle-Based Treatment and Imaging Modalities)

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Abstract

Neurological disorders and traumas often involve loss of specific neuronal connections, which would require intervention with high spatial precision. We have previously demonstrated the biocompatibility and therapeutic potential of the layer-by-layer (LbL)-fabricated microcapsules aimed at the localized delivery of specific channel blockers to peripheral nerves. Here, we explore the potential of LbL-microcapsules to enable site-specific, directional action of neurotrophins to stimulate neuronal morphogenesis and synaptic circuit formation. We find that nanoengineered biodegradable microcapsules loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF) can guide the morphological development of hippocampal neurons in vitro. The presence of NGF-loaded microcapsules or their clusters increases the neurite outgrowth rate while boosting neurite branching. Microcapsule clusters appear to guide the trajectory of developing individual axons leading to the formation of functional synapses. Our observations highlight the potential of NGF-loaded, biodegradable LbL-microcapsules to help guide axonal development and possibly circuit regeneration in neuropathology. View Full-Text

Keywords: layer-by-layer (LbL) microcapsules; nerve growth factor (NGF); axon guidance

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kopach, O.; Pavlov, A.M.; Sindeeva, O.A.; Sukhorukov, G.B.; Rusakov, D.A. Biodegradable Microcapsules Loaded with Nerve Growth Factor Enable Neurite Guidance and Synapse Formation. Pharmaceutics 2021, 13, 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13010025

AMA Style

Kopach O, Pavlov AM, Sindeeva OA, Sukhorukov GB, Rusakov DA. Biodegradable Microcapsules Loaded with Nerve Growth Factor Enable Neurite Guidance and Synapse Formation. Pharmaceutics. 2021; 13(1):25. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13010025

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kopach, Olga, Anton M. Pavlov, Olga A. Sindeeva, Gleb B. Sukhorukov, and Dmitri A. Rusakov. 2021. "Biodegradable Microcapsules Loaded with Nerve Growth Factor Enable Neurite Guidance and Synapse Formation" Pharmaceutics 13, no. 1: 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13010025

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Biodegradable Microcapsules Loaded with Nerve Growth Factor Enable Neurite Guidance and Synapse Formation

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