Sex differences in GBM revealed by analysis of patient imaging, transcriptome, and survival data.

Sex differences in the incidence and outcome of human disease are broadly recognized but, in most cases, not sufficiently understood to enable sex-specific approaches to treatment. Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common malignant brain tumor, provides a case in point. Despite well-established differences in incidence and emerging indications of differences in outcome, there are few insights that distinguish male and female GBM at the molecular level or allow specific targeting of these biological differences.

Effect of controlled delivery of neurotrophin-3 from fibrin on spinal cord injury in a long term model.

The goal of this work was to assess the effect of the controlled delivery of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) from an affinity-based delivery system in fibrin scaffolds on regeneration following spinal cord injury (SCI). A heparin-based delivery system (HBDS) was used to immobilize NT-3 within fibrin scaffolds via non-covalent interactions. The fibrin scaffolds were implanted in lesions immediately after injury in an adult rat model of SCI (complete ablation of a 2 mm segment of the cord at T9).

Delivery of neurotrophin-3 from fibrin enhances neuronal fiber sprouting after spinal cord injury.

Neurotrophins have been shown to promote axonal growth and regeneration after spinal cord injury. The therapeutic utility of neurotrophins may be enhanced by using a controlled delivery system to increase the duration of neurotrophin availability following injury. Such a delivery system can be incorporated into a bioactive scaffold to serve as a physical bridge for regeneration.

Controlled release of neurotrophin-3 from fibrin gels for spinal cord injury.

The goal of this work was to assess the feasibility of using affinity-based delivery systems to release neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in a controlled manner from fibrin gels as a therapy for spinal cord injury. A heparin-based delivery system (HBDS) was used to immobilize NT-3 within fibrin gels via non-covalent interactions to slow diffusion-based release of NT-3, thus allowing cell-activated degradation of fibrin to mediate release. The HBDS consists of three components: immobilized linker peptide, heparin and NT-3.