Lentiviral Vectors Delivered with Biomaterials as Therapeutics for Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating trauma that can cause permanent disability, life-long chronic issues for sufferers and is a big socioeconomic burden. Regenerative medicine aims to overcome injury caused deficits and restore function after SCI through gene therapy and tissue engineering approaches. SCI has a multifaceted pathophysiology. Due to this, producing therapies that target multiple different cellular and molecular mechanisms might prove to be a superior approach in attempts at regeneration. Both biomaterials and nucleic acid delivery via lentiviral vectors (LVs) have proven to promote repair and restoration of function post SCI in animal models. Studies indicate that a combination of biomaterials and LVs is more effective than either approach alone. This review presents studies supporting the use of LVs and LVs delivered with biomaterials in therapies for SCI and summarises methods to combine LVs with biomaterials for SCI treatment. By summarising this knowledge this review aims to demonstrate how LV delivery with biomaterials can augment/compliment both LV and biomaterial therapeutic effects in SCI.

Virus‐Engineered Microsol Electrospun Scaffold Promotes the Reprogramming of Fibroblasts to Neurons

“…Additionally, safety concerns, such as immune response activation and carcinogenic risk, are simultaneously associated with the injection of many viruses. [2] The com-bination of biomaterials and lentiviruses may represent a strategy for SCI treatment. [35] Our previous research showed that a PDAmodified PLLA electrospun fiber had good hydrophilicity and maintained the biological activity of the grafted antibody.…”

“…Current methods of combining viral vectors with biomaterials include covalent and noncovalent approaches, such as surface modification/functionalization of biomaterial, encapsulation of lentiviral vectors (LVs) within hydrogels, and modification of the LV envelope. [ 2 ] Their advantage is the slow release of viral vectors, increasing the local concentration of the virus, increasing the transfection efficiency, and minimizing potential off‐target effects. So, virus‐engineered biomaterials have become hot research to promote tissue regeneration.…”

Spinal Cord Injury Management through the Combination of Stem Cells and Implantable 3D Bioprinted Platforms

“…Due to the critical role of biomaterial scaffolds in forming a beneficial regeneration microenvironment for repairing injured spinal cord tissues, they have been used as supporting and carrier platforms for stem cells. The combined use of stem cells and scaffolds could facilitate the reconstruction of the microenvironment at the injury site [50]. Moreover, immobilizing cells into scaffolds could control the diffusion rate after implantation [15].…”

Effects of comprehensive functional nursing on functional recovery and quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury

“…[3][4][5][6] In patients with SCIs, the main injury locations include the thoracic, lumbosacral, and cervical regions. [7,8] Corresponding strengthening function interventions are needed for injuries at different locations. In recent years, studies have confirmed that rehabilitation training interventions can effectively reduce secondary injury, restore spinal cord function, reduce the incidence of complications, and restore normal spinal cord function to the greatest extent.…”