Use of GDNF-Releasing Nanofiber Nerve Guide Conduits for the Repair of Conus Medullaris/Cauda Equina Injury in the Nonhuman Primate

Abstract

The primary goal of this collaborative research project is to translate a cauda equina injury and repair model from the rodent to the non-human primate to determine whether nanofiber nerve guidance conduits (NGCs), which release glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), may be used to bridge tissue gaps between the spinal cord and avulsed ventral roots to promote neuroprotection, axonal regeneration, and functional reinnervation of peripheral target muscles. In the first year of the work, we developed an improved version of the nanofiber NGCs with increased surface area of nanofibers and gradient loading of the GDNF. In the current second year, we manufactured nanofiber NGCs of different sizes and shipped them to Dr. Havton to be used in primate surgeries.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA613645

Entities

People

  • Ahmet Höke
  • Hai-Quan Mao

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cell Line
  • Cells
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Fibers
  • Films
  • Guidance
  • Hydrogels
  • Information Operations
  • Nanofibers
  • Neuroglia
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Schematic Diagrams
  • Spinal Cord
  • Spinal Injuries

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Neuroscience

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology