α-Gal Nanoparticles in CNS Trauma: II. Immunomodulation Following Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Improves Functional Outcomes

CONCLUSIONS:Application of α-gal nanoparticles after spinal cord injury (SCI) induces a pro-healing inflammatory response resulting in neuroprotection, improved axonal ingrowth into the lesion and enhanced sensorimotor recovery. The data shows α-gal nanoparticles may be a promising avenue for further study in CNS trauma.Graphical abstractPutative mechanism of therapeutic action by α-gal nanoparticles.A. Nanoparticles injected into the injured cord bind to anti-Gal antibodies leaked from ruptured capillaries. The binding of anti-Gal to α-gal epitopes on the α-gal nanoparticles activates the complement system to release complement cleavage chemotactic peptides such as C5a, C3a that recruit macrophages and microglia. These recruited cells bind to the anti-Gal coated α-gal nanoparticles and are further polarized into the M2 s tate.B. Recruited M2 macrophages and microglia secrete neuroprotective and pro-healing factors to promote tissue repair, neovascularization and axonal regeneration (C.).
Source: Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research