Peripheral nerve regeneration research and science with Karim Sarhane 2022? Researchers at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, conducted a study to develop a drug delivery system using a very small material, nanofiber hydrogel composite, which can hold nanoparticles containing IGF-1 and be delivered near the injured nerve to help it heal. Dr. Kara Segna, MD, received one of three Best of Meeting Abstract Awards from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA Pain Medicine) for the project. She will present the abstract “IGF-1 Nanoparticles Improve Functional Outcomes After Peripheral Nerve Injury” on Saturday, April 2, at 1:45 pm during the 47th Annual Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine Meeting being held March 31-April 2, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. Coauthors include Drs. Sami Tuffaha, Thomas Harris, Chenhu Qui, Karim Sarhane, Ahmet Hoke, Hai-Quan Mao.
During his research time at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Sarhane was involved in developing small and large animal models of Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation. He was also instrumental in building The Peripheral Nerve Research Program of the department, which has been very productive since then. In addition, he completed an intensive training degree in the design and conduct of Clinical Trials at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The use of hydrogels encapsulated with varying concentrations of IGF-1 allows for a prolonged and potentially tunable release in vivo (Yuan et al., 2000; Mathonnet et al., 2001; Kikkawa et al., 2014; Bayrak et al., 2017). The specific hydrogel formulations that have been evaluated vary with regards to IGF-1 release kinetics, degradation rate, and biocompatibility. Despite differences in study design, the majority of hydrogel studies included in Table 6 used a water-soluble polymer oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogel with encapsulated gelatin microparticles (Yuan et al., 2000; Holland et al., 2005; Kikkawa et al., 2014; Bayrak et al., 2017). The extent of crosslinking within the OPF hydrogel as well as the use of encapsulated gelatin particles with variable isoelectric points allows for tunability of IGF-1 release. The cumulative release of IGF-1 by this hydrogel formulation was reported to be 95.2% ± 2.9% by Day 28, with some studies achieving a similar cumulative release within 48 h (Yuan et al., 2000; Kikkawa et al., 2014).
Effects by sustained IGF-1 delivery (Karim Sarhane research) : Functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury is limited by progressive atrophy of denervated muscle and Schwann cells (SCs) that occurs during the long regenerative period prior to end-organ reinnervation. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a potent mitogen with well-described trophic and anti-apoptotic effects on neurons, myocytes, and SCs. Achieving sustained, targeted delivery of small protein therapeutics remains a challenge.
Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) affect approximately 67 800 people annually in the United States alone (Wujek and Lasek, 1983; Noble et al., 1998; Taylor et al., 2008). Despite optimal management, many patients experience lasting motor and sensory deficits, the majority of whom are unable to return to work within 1 year of the injury (Wujek and Lasek, 1983). The lack of clinically available therapeutic options to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery remains a major challenge.
Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) affect approximately 67 800 people annually in the United States alone (Wujek and Lasek, 1983; Noble et al., 1998; Taylor et al., 2008). Despite optimal management, many patients experience lasting motor and sensory deficits, the majority of whom are unable to return to work within 1 year of the injury (Wujek and Lasek, 1983). The lack of clinically available therapeutic options to enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery remains a major challenge.