Biomedical Engineering Reference
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controlling the parameters of mechanical properties, structure and
biological factors
in situ
. Recently, strong evidence has indicated
that HA hydrogels profoundly regulate the migration, proliferation
and differentiation of the NSC [21-24]. Therefore, HA is a good
candidate to develop the biomaterials of tissue engineering for NSC
delivery to the injured CNS.
1.3 Modification of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel for
Neural Repair
Injuries or diseases in the CNS often result in severe pathological
consequences. This is due to the difficulty of neural regeneration in the
adult CNS. The lost neurons cannot be replaced, while, at the same
time, many physical and chemical inhibitory barriers persist in the
injury environment. However, certain recent findings by Emsley and
Thored with their co-workers [33, 34], which showed that the NSC
can be separated from neurogenic regions in adult brain, the SVZ and
subgranular zone in particular, have raised the possibility of repairing
brain injury by delivery of NSC. These NSC may come either from
the injured brain itself by stimulating endogenous precursor cells, or
from transplantation of cultured cells. Either way, proliferation and
differentiation of the NSC in the injured area of the CNS need certain
effective supports from their surrounding microenvironments [24],
and the engineered HA may provide a suitable scaffold which helps to
deliver different useful substances
in situ
over a long period of time.
1.3.1 Delivery of Neurotrophic or Growth Factors
Certain neurotrophic and growth factors are large protein molecules
produced by neural cells that regulate cell survival, growth, and
division, as well as neurite outgrowth and regeneration. In particular,
they have important effects on the regulation of NSC and neural
disorders therapy. However, these large molecules cannot pass across
the brain blood barrier, and thus the hydrogel may act as a good
carrier to deliver these large molecules into the brain.
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