GDNF released from microspheres enhances nerve regeneration after delayed repair
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Updated: May 21, 2026
Electrospinning Growth Factor Releasing Microspheres into Fibrous Scaffolds
Published on: August 16, 2014
Matthew D Wood1, Howard Kim, Alex Bilbily
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X8. matthew.wood@sickkids.ca
Introduction:
Delays in surgical repair following nerve transection produce progressively inferior motor nerve regeneration. Regeneration can be improved with delivery of exogenous growth factor. We developed a delivery system that could be applied at the nerve repair site to deliver growth factors locally to regenerating nerve.
Methods:
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres containing glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) suspended within fibrin were developed into a delivery system for local application surrounding nerve at a repair site in an experimental rat model.
Results:
The system containing GDNF remained at the injury site for up to 2 weeks and improved motor nerve regeneration following chronic axotomy and denervation.
Conclusions:
Based on the positive outcome of the delivery system, we plan to study the delivery system over longer time courses of release and nerve regeneration.
