(175h) Immunomodulatory Amphiphilic Polyanhydride Microparticles for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

:  Peripheral nerve repair using implanted biomaterial conduits seeded with cells face many challenges, including the host immune response. Tissue engineering approaches often employ the use of drug delivery vehicles to supply sustained release of trophic factors which support the differentiation and continued growth of the implanted cells. However, host immune cells responding to inflammatory cytokines released by the damaged nerve may inhibit this growth. This project focuses on the fabrication of amphiphilic degradable polyanhydride micro particles that can release surface adsorbed Interleukin-4 and encapsulated nerve growth factor simultaneously. Interleukin-4, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, serves to promote an M2-like phenotype in invading macrophages as a method to support wound healing. These M2-like macrophages may reduce the inflammatory response, thereby generating an environment which supports cell growth and tissue regeneration, thus allowing implanted cells to benefit from the sustained release of neurotrophic factors. The release of nerve growth factor helps stimulate the peripheral nerve regeneration. We have focused on the fabrication and release kinetics of the two macromolecules from the polyanhydride microparticles.