Therapeutic strategies following spinal cord injury must address the multiple barriers that limit regeneration. Multiple channel bridges have been developed that stabilize the injury following implantation and provide physical guidance for regenerating axons. These bridges have now been employed as a vehicle for localized delivery of lentivirus. Implantation of lentivirus loaded multiple channel bridges produced transgene expression that persisted for at least 4 weeks. Expression was maximal at the implant at the earliest time point, and decreased with increasing time of implantation, as well as rostral and caudal to the bridge. Immunohistochemical staining indicated transduction of macrophages, Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and astrocytes within the bridge and adjacent tissue. Subsequently, the delivery of lentivirus encoding the neurotrophic factors NT3 or BDNF significantly increased the extent of axonal growth into the bridge relative to empty scaffolds. In addition to promoting axon growth, the induced expression of neurotrophic factors led to myelination of axons within the channels of the bridge, where the number of myelinated axons was significantly enhanced relative to control. Combining gene delivery with biomaterials to provide physical guidance and create a permissive environment can provide a platform to enhance axonal growth and promote regeneration.

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Background: Mutations of DLX3 in humans lead to tooth defects, but normal Dlx3 function in tooth is unknown. Results: Mice lacking Dlx3 in the dental mesenchyme exhibit major dentin defects, and Dspp is a direct target of Dlx3 in odontoblasts. Conclusion: Dspp, a major component of dentin matrix, is directly regulated by Dlx3 in odontoblasts. Significance: Dspp is the first direct target of Dlx3 identified in odontoblasts.

Summary: Cholesterol forms part of every cell in the human body, and also helps make and metabolize hormones, bile acids and vitamin D. Human plasma cholesterol levels are determined by production in the liver and by dietary intake. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol around the body, and facilitate it crossing the placenta. Cholesterol is carefully monitored in the non-pregnant adult population, where its association with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease is well understood. Although it is known that cholesterol rises in pregnancy, at present it is not routinely measured or treated. The effects of maternal high cholesterol on pregnancy and on fetal development are not yet fully understood. However, a growing body of evidence from animal and human studies suggests adverse consequences of high cholesterol levels in pregnancy.