Nucleic-Acid–Mediated Regulation of Neurogenesis in Implant Surface Engineering

Implant surface coatings for promoting neurogenesis, axonal ingrowth, or functional neural integration may incorporate any class of nucleic-acid–based regulatory agents capable of modulating neural gene expression, including regulatory RNAs, antisense or interference constructs, and DNA-based expression cassettes encoding neurogenic or axon-guidance factors. Programmable, non-editing gene-modulation systems may likewise be employed to regulate endogenous neural pathways. Such agents may be delivered singly or in combination via viral or non-viral methods and immobilized, encapsulated, or released in a spatially and temporally controlled manner from nanofibrous, hydrogel, composite, or multilayer implant coatings. This disclosure encompasses all equivalent nucleic-acid–mediated strategies for inducing localized neurogenesis at implant–tissue interfaces, including implants intended to restore sensory or proprioceptive function.