Nanosphere/microsphere delivery system for the treatment of spinal cord injury

摘要

A formulation including injectable biodegradable nanospheres and/or microspheres as a delivery system for chondroitinase ABC (cABC) or a functional derivative of cABC to treat acute and chronic spinal chord injury in a mammal having the same is provided. The biodegradable nanosphere/microsphere formulation releases cABC or a functional derivative of cABC in a time-released manner at the site of the spinal cord injury. cABC infusion can promote axon regrowth and some behavioral recovery. The nanospheres and/or microspheres provided herein include cABC or a functional derivative of cABC loaded within and/or on a biodegradable polymer matrix. In some embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the biodegradable polymer matrix can be modified to target a specific scar site. In addition to providing a nanosphere formulation that include polymeric incorporated cABC, a method of treating a mammal having a spinal cord injury is also provided.

主权项

1. A formulation comprising biodegradable carriers loaded with chondroitinase ABC (cABC) or a functional derivative of cABC, wherein said biodegradable carriers have a size of about 700 nm to about 15 μm, wherein the biodegradable carriers are large enough to substantially not enter cells in contact with the carriers, and wherein the biodegradable carriers release said cABC or functional derivative of cABC for up to about one year after exposure to an in vivo environment.