Delivery of OPN via biodegradable GMSs markedly enhanced
the neuroprotective potency of OPN in the post-ischemic brain
by rapid and sustained OPN release from GMSs. GMS-mediated
drug delivery has a huge potential given current research efforts
on genetically engineered peptides, cells and plasmids. Furthermore,
combination treatments with other therapeutic means,
simultaneously or in a spatiotemporally controlled manner, are
likely to further enhance the therapeutic benefits conferred by gelatin
microsphere delivery. However, the present study is primarily
based on the animal model with the limited numbers of animals
used. It is also possible that there is a difference in stroke-induced
induction levels of gelatinases in the brain between mice and
humans. Therefore, there might be a potential limitation to apply
to clinical trials and further studies with larger cohorts will be necessary
to reach optimized therapeutics in the use of GMS-mediated
delivery.