Aim: The in vivo therapeutic potential of neurotrophic factors to modify neuronal dysfunctions is limited by their short half-life. A biomaterials-based intervention, which protects these factors and allows a controlled release, is required.
Materials & methods: Hollow fibrin microspheres were fabricated by charge manipulation using polystyrene templates and were loaded with NGF. Bioactivity of released NGF was demonstrated by neuronal outgrowth assay in PC-12 cells followed by in vivo assessment for NGF release and host response.
Results: Fibrin-based hollow spheres showed high loading efficiency (>80%). Neurotrophin encapsulation into the microspheres did not alter its bioactivity and controlled release of NGF was observed in the in vivo study.
Conclusion: Fibrin hollow microspheres act as a suitable delivery platform for neurotrophic factors with tunable loading efficiency and maintaining their bioactive form after release in vivo.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease; bioactivity; brain delivery; fibrin; hollow spheres; neurotrophic factors.