Gene- and RNAi-activated scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: Current progress and future directions
Noah Z Laird1, Timothy M Acri1, Kelsie Tingle1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|May 20, 2021
Summary
Gene-activated scaffolds offer a promising alternative to traditional bone grafts for repairing large bone defects. This approach uses nucleic acids to stimulate bone regeneration, avoiding issues associated with protein-based growth factors.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Large bone defects traditionally treated with prosthetics or bone grafts.
- Limitations of protein-based growth factors in bone regeneration include off-target effects and high dosage requirements.
- Bone tissue engineering aims to regenerate bone without grafts or prosthetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in bone tissue engineering.
- To focus on gene-activated scaffolds for bone repair.
- To discuss various approaches for implementing gene-activated scaffolds.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on gene- and RNAi-activated scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
- Exploration of different nucleic acid delivery methods (plasmid DNA, viruses, RNA transcripts, interfering RNAs).
- Analysis of scaffold formulations for local tissue repair.
Main Results:
- Gene-based therapies avoid high protein doses and associated side effects.
- Gene- and RNAi-activated scaffolds are tissue engineering devices utilizing nucleic acids.
- Diverse strategies exist for formulating these scaffolds.
Conclusions:
- Gene-activated scaffolds represent a novel therapeutic strategy for bone regeneration.
- This approach overcomes limitations of protein-based growth factor delivery.
- Further research into gene-activated scaffolds holds potential for improved patient outcomes in treating critical-sized bone defects.
