Alginate microparticles loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor induce tissue coverage in a rat model of myelomeningocele

Background/Purpose

We sought to develop a minimally invasive intra-amniotic therapy for prenatal treatment of myelomeningocele (MMC) in an established rat model.

Methods

Time-dated pregnant rats were gavage-fed retinoic acid to induce MMC. Groups received intraamniotic injections at E17.5 with alginate particles loaded with fluorescent dye, basic fibroblast growth factor (Alg-HSA-bFGF), fluorescently tagged albumin (Alginate-BSA-TR), free bFGF, blank alginate particles (Alg-Blank), or PBS. Groups were analyzed at 3?h for specific particle binding or at term (E21) to determine MMC coverage.

Results

Alginate microparticles demonstrated robust binding to the MMC defect 3?h after injection. Of those specimens analyzed at E21, 150 of 239 fetuses (62.8%) were viable. Moreover, 18 of 61 (30%) treated with Alg-HSA-bFGF showed evidence of soft tissue coverage compared to 0 of 24 noninjected (P?=?0.0021), 0 of 13 PBS (P?=?0.0297), and 0 of 42 free bFGF (P?=?P?

Conclusions

Injection of microparticles loaded with bFGF resulted in significant soft tissue coverage of the MMC defect compared to controls. Alginate microparticles without growth factors might result in scaffold development over the fetal MMC.

Type of study

Basic science.

Level of evidence

N/A.