Nano neuro knitting is an emerging technology for repairing nervous system tissues via nano scaffolding techniques. Ellis-Behnke, R.G.; Liang, Y.X.; You, S.W.; Tay, D.K.C.; Zhang, S.; So, K.F.; Schneider, G.E. Nano neuro knitting: Peptide nanofiber scaffold for brain repair and axon regeneration with functional return of vision. PNAS. 2006, 103, 5054—5059. Currently being explored in numerous research endeavors, nano neuro knitting has been shown to allow partial reinnervation in damaged areas of the nervous system through the interactions between potentially regenerative axons and peptide scaffolds. This interaction has been shown to lead to sufficient axon density renewal to the point that functionality is restored. While nano neuro knitting shows promise, the uncertainty of the effects in human subjects warrants further investigation before clinical trials initiate. Potential applications Scaffolds produced using nanotechnology have enabled researchers to investigate clinically relevant applications that involve the promotion of tissue regeneration at sites of acute damage. In nano neuro knitting, these methods are applied specifically to the repair of tissues of the nervous system. Ellis-Behnke, R.; Jonas, J.B. Redefining tissue engineering for nanomedicine in ophthalmology. Acta Ophthalmol. 2011, 89, e108—e114. Ophthalmic applications Nano neuro knitting has been researched for ophthalmic applications. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has tested a self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) on hamsters to repair optic tract damage. Following injection, axon regeneration repaired the hamsters’ transected superior colliculi and restored vision in the tested animals. Wilson, B. Nano Neuro-Knitting. URL (accessed Oct, 2015) Drug Discovery Development. 2007, 9, 56—60. Central nervous system obstacles One obstacle for drug delivery to the brain is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The small size of nanomaterials, however, allows nanotechnologies to pass through. The scaffolds that enable nano neuro knitting, hence, are able to bypass this boundary without affecting the BBB that serves the essential role of managing what can and cannot enter and leave the central nervous system (CNS). Ellis-Behnke, R.G.; Teather, L.A.; Schneider, G.E.; So, K.F. Using Nanotechnology to Design Potential Therapies for CNS Regeneration. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2007, 13, 2519—2528. While nano neuro knitting and other nanotechnologies may eventually replace procedures currently used to repair damage to the CNS through their improved biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, the toxicity and long-term impacts of nanomaterial exposure in humans has yet to be sufficiently assessed. While some studies demonstrate no immediate toxicity and immune responses, it has yet to be determined if this holds true for the human CNS (with particular concern for the retention of these materials in the brain and their capacity to form neurotoxic plaques) and the rest of the body’s systems over time. Fortunately, SAPNSs may breakdown naturally by peptidase activity. In addition, promising monitoring methods are being explored in order to monitor axon regeneration in vivo that would provide patients real-time feedback via manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI). In this way, these potential therapies could be monitored efficiently. Liang, Y.X.; Cheung, S.W.H.; Chan, K.C.W.; Wu, E.X.; Tay, D.K.C.; Ellis-Behnke, R.G. CNS regeneration after chronic injury using a self-assembled nanomaterial and MEMRI for real-time in vivo monitoring. Nanomedicine: NBM. 2011, 7, 351—359. Spinal cord injury repair Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) cause damage to the nervous system, which can result in neurological disfunction. The main barrier to recovery from a SCI arises from the absence of tissue regeneration ability, specifically in damage to a portion of the nerve cell called the axon. , Damage to the spinal cord can result in irreversible deficiencies including paralysis and loss of sensation. As in ophthalmic applications, research has demonstrated that nano scaffolds may be an effective tool for repairing spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Such studies have utilized rat models to show that electrospun nanofibers and SAPNSs can effectively serve as guidance channels for regeneration of neural tissue lost at sites of SCI. Gelain, F.; Panseri, S.; Antonini, S.; Cunha, C.; Donega, M.; Lowery, J.; Taraballi, F.; Cerri, G.; Montagna, M.; Baldissera, F.; Vescovi, A. Transplantation of Nanostructured Composite Scaffolds Results in the Regeneration of Chronically Injured Spinal Cords. ACS Nano. 2011, 5, 227—236. Using these scaffolds with integrated, slowly-released proregenerative cytokines showed that SCI rat models could repair contused spinal cord tissue. After six months, the spinal cord cysts were shown to be replaced by bundles of myelinated axons, ECM, and vascularization. In addition, the rat models have been shown to regain motor control after this treatment. Studies also suggest that culturing Schwann cells (SCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in SAPNSs prior to transplantation can significantly improve SCI repair by promoting axon and blood vessel development in the scaffold which has been shown to connect damaged tissue back together. Guo, J.; Su, H.; Zeng, Y.; Liang, Y.X.; Wong, W.M.; Ellis-Behnke, R.G. Reknitting the injured spinal cord by self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold. Nanomedicine: NBM. 2007, 3, 311—321.
Nano neuro knitting is an emerging technology for repairing nervous system tissues via nano scaffolding techniques. Currently being explored in numerous research endeavors, nano neuro knitting has been shown to allow partial reinnervation in damaged areas of the nervous system through the interactions between potentially regenerative axons and peptide scaffolds. This interaction has been shown to lead to sufficient axon density renewal to the point that functionality is restored. While nano neuro knitting shows promise, the uncertainty of the effects in human subjects warrants further investigation before clinical trials initiate. Potential applications Scaffolds produced using nanotechnology have enabled researchers to investigate clinically relevant applications that involve the promotion of tissue regeneration at sites of acute damage. In nano neuro knitting, these methods are applied specifically to the repair of tissues of the nervous system. Ophthalmic applications Nano neuro knitting has been researched for ophthalmic applications. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has tested a self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) on hamsters to repair optic tract damage. Following injection, axon regeneration repaired the hamsters’ transected superior colliculi and restored vision in the tested animals. Central nervous system obstacles One obstacle for drug delivery to the brain is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The small size of nanomaterials, however, allows nanotechnologies to pass through. The scaffolds that enable nano neuro knitting, hence, are able to bypass this boundary without affecting the BBB that serves the essential role of managing what can and cannot enter and leave the central nervous system (CNS). While nano neuro knitting and other nanotechnologies may eventually replace procedures currently used to repair damage to the CNS through their improved biodistribution and pharmacokinetics, the toxicity and long-term impacts of nanomaterial exposure in humans has yet to be sufficiently assessed. While some studies demonstrate no immediate toxicity and immune responses, it has yet to be determined if this holds true for the human CNS (with particular concern for the retention of these materials in the brain and their capacity to form neurotoxic plaques) and the rest of the body’s systems over time. Fortunately, SAPNSs may breakdown naturally by peptidase activity. In addition, promising monitoring methods are being explored in order to monitor axon regeneration in vivo that would provide patients real-time feedback via manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI). In this way, these potential therapies could be monitored efficiently. Spinal cord injury repair Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) cause damage to the nervous system, which can result in neurological disfunction. The main barrier to recovery from a SCI arises from the absence of tissue regeneration ability, specifically in damage to a portion of the nerve cell called the axon. Damage to the spinal cord can result in irreversible deficiencies including paralysis and loss of sensation. As in ophthalmic applications, research has demonstrated that nano scaffolds may be an effective tool for repairing spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Such studies have utilized rat models to show that electrospun nanofibers and SAPNSs can effectively serve as guidance channels for regeneration of neural tissue lost at sites of SCI. Using these scaffolds with integrated, slowly-released proregenerative cytokines showed that SCI rat models could repair contused spinal cord tissue. After six months, the spinal cord cysts were shown to be replaced by bundles of myelinated axons, ECM, and vascularization. In addition, the rat models have been shown to regain motor control after this treatment. Studies also suggest that culturing Schwann cells (SCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in SAPNSs prior to transplantation can significantly improve SCI repair by promoting axon and blood vessel development in the scaffold which has been shown to connect damaged tissue back together. 
D
Ellis-Behnke, R.G.; Liang, Y.X.; You, S.W.; Tay, D.K.C.; Zhang, S.; So, K.F.; Schneider, G.E. Nano neuro knitting: Peptide nanofiber scaffold for brain repair and axon regeneration with functional return of vision. PNAS. 2006, 103, 5054—5059.
D
Ellis-Behnke, R.; Jonas, J.B. Redefining tissue engineering for nanomedicine in ophthalmology. Acta Ophthalmol. 2011, 89, e108—e114.
D
Wilson, B. Nano Neuro-Knitting. URL (accessed Oct, 2015) Drug Discovery
D
Development. 2007, 9, 56—60.
D
Ellis-Behnke, R.G.; Teather, L.A.; Schneider, G.E.; So, K.F. Using Nanotechnology to Design Potential Therapies for CNS Regeneration. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2007, 13, 2519—2528.
D
Liang, Y.X.; Cheung, S.W.H.; Chan, K.C.W.; Wu, E.X.; Tay, D.K.C.; Ellis-Behnke, R.G. CNS regeneration after chronic injury using a self-assembled nanomaterial and MEMRI for real-time in vivo monitoring. Nanomedicine: NBM. 2011, 7, 351—359.
D
,
D
Gelain, F.; Panseri, S.; Antonini, S.; Cunha, C.; Donega, M.; Lowery, J.; Taraballi, F.; Cerri, G.; Montagna, M.; Baldissera, F.; Vescovi, A. Transplantation of Nanostructured Composite Scaffolds Results in the Regeneration of Chronically Injured Spinal Cords. ACS Nano. 2011, 5, 227—236.
D
Guo, J.; Su, H.; Zeng, Y.; Liang, Y.X.; Wong, W.M.; Ellis-Behnke, R.G. Reknitting the injured spinal cord by self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold. Nanomedicine: NBM. 2007, 3, 311—321.