Alginate microparticles loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor induce tissue coverage in a rat model of myelomeningocele
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In brief
In brief
This study demonstrates a novel minimally invasive prenatal treatment for myelomeningocele using alginate microparticles loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor. In a rat model, intraamniotic injection of these particles achieved 30% soft tissue coverage of spinal defects, significantly outperforming controls and free growth factor alone.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background/Purpose
We sought to develop a minimally invasive intra-amniotic therapy for prenatal treatment of myelomeningocele (MMC) in an established rat model.
Methods
Time-dated pregnant rats were gavage-fed retinoic acid to induce MMC. Groups received intraamniotic injections at E17.5 with alginate particles loaded with fluorescent dye, basic fibroblast growth factor (Alg-HSA-bFGF), fluorescently tagged albumin (Alginate-BSA-TR), free bFGF, blank alginate particles (Alg-Blank), or PBS. Groups were analyzed at 3 h for specific particle binding or at term (E21) to determine MMC coverage.
Results
Alginate microparticles demonstrated robust binding to the MMC defect 3 h after injection. Of those specimens analyzed at E21, 150 of 239 fetuses (62.8%) were viable. Moreover, 18 of 61 (30%) treated with Alg-HSA-bFGF showed evidence of soft tissue coverage compared to 0 of 24 noninjected (P = 0.0021), 0 of 13 PBS (P = 0.0297), and 0 of 42 free bFGF (P = P