The stability of polymeric nanoparticles in serum is critical to their use in drug delivery where dilution after intravenous injection often results in nanoparticle disassembly and drug unloading; however, few investigate this in biologically relevant media. To gain greater insight into nanoparticle stability in blood, the stability of self-assembled polymeric micelles of poly(d,l-lactide-co-2-methyl-2-carboxytrimethylene carbonate)-g-poly(ethylene glycol), P(LA-co-TMCC)-g-PEG, were tested in both serum and individual serum protein solutions. By encapsulating Förster resonance energy transfer pairs and following their release by fluorescence, these micelles demonstrated excellent thermodynamic and kinetic stability in the presence of serum. Further analyses by fast protein liquid chromatography and dynamic light scattering confirmed these data. Moreover, these micelles are compatible with red blood cells, as shown by a hemolysis assay. The stability and compatibility demonstrated in blood suggest that these micelles may be stable in vivo, which is critical for intravenous drug delivery applications. This comprehensive approach to understanding micelle stability and compatibility is broadly applicable.

The central nervous system (CNS) has a limited capacity to spontaneously regenerate following traumatic injury or disease, requiring innovative strategies to promote tissue and functional repair. Tissue regeneration strategies, such as cell and/or drug delivery, have demonstrated promising results in experimental animal models, but have been difficult to translate clinically. The efficacy of cell therapy, which involves stem cell transplantation into the CNS to replace damaged tissue, has been limited due to low cell survival and integration upon transplantation, while delivery of therapeutic molecules to the CNS using conventional methods, such as oral and intravenous administration, have been limited by diffusion across the blood–brain/spinal cord-barrier. The use of biomaterials to promote graft survival and integration as well as localized and sustained delivery of biologics to CNS injury sites is actively being pursued. This review will highlight recent advances using biomaterials as cell- and drug-delivery vehicles for CNS repair.

The utility of stem cells and their progeny in adult transplantation models has been limited by poor survival and integration. We designed an injectable and bioresorbable hydrogel blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC) and tested it with two cell types in two animal models, thereby gaining an understanding of its general applicability for enhanced cell distribution, survival, integration, and functional repair relative to conventional cell delivery in saline. HAMC improves cell survival and integration of retinal stem cell (RSC)-derived rods in the retina. The pro-survival mechanism of HAMC is ascribed to the interaction of the CD44 receptor with HA. Transient disruption of the retinal outer limiting membrane, combined with HAMC delivery, results in significantly improved rod survival and visual function. HAMC also improves the distribution, viability, and functional repair of neural stem and progenitor cells (NSCs). The HAMC delivery system improves cell transplantation efficacy in two CNS models, suggesting broad applicability.