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Near-infrared light-triggered NO release for spinal cord injury repair
Yaqin Jiang1,2, Pengfei Fu3, Yanyan Liu4,2
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is caused by external physical impacts and can induce complex cascade events, sometimes converging to paralysis. Existing clinical drugs to traumatic SCI have limited therapeutic efficacy because of either the poor blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) permeability or a single function. Here, we suggest a "pleiotropic messenger" strategy based on near-infrared (NIR)-triggered on-demand NO release at the lesion area for traumatic SCI recovery via the concurrent neuroregeneration and neuroprotection processing. This NO delivery system was constructed as upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) core coated by zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) with NO donor (CysNO). This combined strategy substantial promotes the repair of SCI in vertebrates, ascribable to the pleiotropic effects of NO including the suppression of gliosis and inflammation, the promotion of neuroregeneration, and the protection of neurons from apoptosis, which opens intriguing perspectives not only in nerve repair but also in neurological research and tissue engineering.
Insights
This study introduces a novel nanoparticle system that releases nitric oxide (NO) on demand to treat traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). This approach promotes nerve regeneration and protects neurons, offering a promising new therapy for SCI recovery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to paralysis with limited treatment options.
- Current therapies face challenges due to poor blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) permeability and single-target action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a "pleiotropic messenger" strategy for traumatic SCI recovery.
- To utilize near-infrared (NIR)-triggered nitric oxide (NO) release for concurrent neuroregeneration and neuroprotection.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a NO delivery system using upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) core coated with zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) containing a NO donor (CysNO).
- Employed NIR light to trigger on-demand NO release at the SCI lesion site.
Main Results:
- The NO delivery system significantly promoted SCI repair in vertebrates.
- Demonstrated pleiotropic effects of NO, including suppression of gliosis and inflammation.
- Showcased promotion of neuroregeneration and protection of neurons from apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- The developed NO delivery system offers a promising therapeutic strategy for traumatic SCI.
- Highlights the potential of "pleiotropic messenger" approaches in nerve repair, neurological research, and tissue engineering.
