Biological activity and characterization of nerve growth factor loaded salicylic acid-based poly(anhydride-ester) microspheres

POLY 26

Natasha Z. Piracha, natashap@eden.rutgers.edu1, Michelle L. Johnson1, Jeremy Griffin, griffinj@eden.rutgers.edu2, and Kathryn E. Uhrich, keuhrich@rutgers.edu3. (1) Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, (2) Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, (3) Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8087
Salicylic acid-based poly(anhydride-ester) microspheres admixed with nerve growth factor (NGF) were evaluated with respect to their influence on nerve regeneration. The morphology of the microspheres was analyzed before and during degradation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nerve growth factor release was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Biological assessment was performed by dissociation of dorsal root ganglia from day 7 chick embryos, and then cultured in media containing microspheres at 40 mg/mL. Neurons were immunostained and imaged, with axonal outgrowth measured and morphology analyzed after 24 and 48 hours of plating using fluorescent microscopy. The microspheres, which combine the release of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a growth-promoting factor, can be combined into nerve guidance conduits prior to insertion in the injured site and may decrease current recovery times.
 

Undergraduate Research in Polymer Science
8:15 AM-12:00 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Grand Salon 16, Oral

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008