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Dissertation
Development and characterization of a folic acid delivery system for spinal cord repair
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Dec 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011243
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating injury that results in physical deficits including loss of motor and sensory function below the injury site. Neuroprotection, inflammation, astroglial-fibrotic scar formation, and axon growth (including regeneration of injured axons and sprouting of spared axons) are the four crucial therapeutic targets for spinal cord repair. While there are strategies to address one or a few these therapeutic targets, combining them to tackle all four targets concurrently poses great technical challenges. Furthermore, the use of multiple therapeutics in a combination approach may potentially interfere with each other's intended therapeutic effects. Folic acid (FA) is an essential vitamin source for normal cellular metabolic function, and it also plays a key role in the development, regeneration, and repair of the CNS. It has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. However, its efficacy in mitigating inflammation and promoting neuroprotection after SCI has not been studied. Our recent studies have, for the first time, shown that FA can directly inhibit both astroglial and fibrotic scar formation. Additionally, studies have shown that FA promoted axon regeneration after SCI via DNA methylation. Therefore, FA has the potential to address all four crucial therapeutic targets after SCI. However, the high concentrations of FA required for achieving these effects cannot be attained by systemic administration. In this study, we developed and characterized a novel biomaterial-based FA delivery system to locally deliver high doses of FA at the injury site, which reduced inflammation, astrocytic-fibrotic scar formation and promoted neuroprotection and functional recovery. Moreover, we investigated the putative mechanisms through which FA may regulate astrocytic-fibrotic scar formation and axonal growth.
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Details
- Title
- Development and characterization of a folic acid delivery system for spinal cord repair
- Creators
- Mengxi Yang
- Contributors
- Yinghui Zhong (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Format
- xiv, 115 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022148607204721