Polymeric nanoparticles and nanomicelles of hydroxychloroquine co-loaded with azithromycin potentiate anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect

Pulmonary drug delivery devices and nanosystems as potential treatment strategies for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Despite advances in drug delivery technologies, treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is challenging due to pathophysiological barriers such as lung injury, oedema fluid build-up, and lung inflammation. Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) can be delivered directly to the lung site of action with the use of aerosol-based drug delivery devices, and this circumvents the hepatic first-pass effect and improves the bioavailability of drugs. This review discusses the various challenges and barriers for pulmonary drug delivery, current interventions for delivery, considerations for effective drug delivery, and the use of nanoparticle drug delivery carriers as potential strategies for delivering therapeutics in ARDS. Nanosystems have the added benefit of entrapping drugs, increase pulmonary drug bioavailability, and using biocompatible and biodegradable excipients that can facilitate targeted and/or controlled delivery. These systems provide an alternative to existing conventional systems. An effective way to deliver drugs for the treatment of ARDS can be by using colloidal systems that are aerosolized or inhaled. Drug distribution to the deeper pulmonary tissues is necessary due to the significant endothelial cell destruction that is prevalent in ARDS. The particle size of nanoparticles (<0.5 μm) makes them ideal candidates for treating ARDS as they can reach the alveoli. A look into the various potential benefits and limitations of nanosystems used for other lung disorders is also considered to indicate how they may be useful for the potential treatment of ARDS.

Evaluation of biophysical alterations in the epithelial and endothelial layer of patients with Bullous Keratopathy

The cornea is a fundamental ocular tissue for the sense of sight. Thanks to it, the refraction of two-thirds of light manages to participate in the visual process and protect against mechanical damage. Because it is transparent, avascular, and innervated, the cornea comprises five main layers: Epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. Each layer plays a key role in the functionality and maintenance of ocular tissue, providing unique ultrastructural and biomechanical properties. Bullous Keratopathy (BK) is an endothelial dysfunction that leads to corneal edema, loss of visual acuity, epithelial blisters, and severe pain, among other symptoms. The corneal layers are subject to changes in their biophysical properties promoted by Keratopathy. In this context, the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) technique in air was used to investigate the anterior epithelial surface and the posterior endothelial surface, healthy and with BK, using a triangular silicone tip with a nominal spring constant of 0.4 N/m. Six human corneas (n = 6) samples were used for each analyzed group. Roughness data, calculated by third-order polynomial adjustment, adhesion, and Young's modulus, were obtained to serve as a comparison and identification of morphological and biomechanical changes possibly associated with the pathology, such as craters and in the epithelial layer and exposure of a fibrotic layer due to loss of the endothelial cell wall. Endothelial cell membrane area and volume data were calculated, obtaining a relevant comparison between the control and patient. Such results may provide new data on the physical properties of the ocular tissue to understand the physiology of the cornea when it has pathology.

SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization by Cell Membrane-Coated Antifouling Nanoparticles

The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has indisputably wreaked havoc on societies worldwide, compelling the scientific community to seek urgently needed therapeutic agents with low-cost and low-side effect profiles. Numerous approaches have been investigated in the quest to prevent or treat COVID-19, but many of them exhibit unwelcome side effects, such as dysfunctional viral immune responses and inflammation. Herein, we present the preparation of solid natural human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cell (ATII) membrane-coated PLGA NPs (PLGA NPs@ATII-M), which demonstrate remarkable affinity and competitiveness to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein-coated NPs (SCMMA NPs-S1), which are employed as a surrogate for coronavirus particles. In addition, we first considered the antifouling properties of these types of NPs, and we found that this membrane-coated NP formulation boasts excellent antifouling capabilities, which serve to protect their neutralization properties out of shielding by protein coronas in blood circulation. Moreover, this formulation is easily prepared and stored with a low-cost profile and exhibits good specificity, high targeting efficiency, and potentially side effect avoiding, thus making it a highly promising candidate for COVID-19 treatment.

Recent Advances in Inhaled Nanoformulations of Vaccines and Therapeutics Targeting Respiratory Viral Infections

With the rapid outbreak of respiratory viral infections, various biological (e.g. vaccines, peptides, recombinant proteins, antibodies and genes) and antiviral agents (e.g. ribavirin, palivizumab and valaciclovir) have been successfully developed for the treatment of respiratory virus infections such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2 infections. These therapeutics are conventionally delivered via oral, intramuscular or injection route and are associated with several adverse events due to systemic toxicity. The inherent in vivo instability of biological therapeutics may hinder them from being administered without proper formulations. Therefore, we have witnessed a boom in nanotechnology coupled with a needle-free administration approach such as the inhalation route for the delivery of complex therapeutics to treat respiratory infections. This review discussed the recent advances in the inhalation strategies of nanoformulations that target virus respiratory infections.

New insights from nanotechnology in SARS-CoV-2 detection, treatment strategy, and prevention

The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 resulted into the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which has made a profound impact on mankind and the world health care system. SARS-CoV-2 is mainly transmitted within the population via symptomatic carriers, enters the host cell via ACE2 and TMPSSR2 receptors and damages the organs. The standard diagnostic tests and treatment methods implemented lack required efficiency to beat SARS-CoV-2 in the race of its spreading. The most prominently used diagnostic test,reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (a nucleic acid-based method), has limitations including a prolonged time taken to reveal results, limited sensitivity, a high rate of false negative results, and lacking specificity due to a homology with other viruses. Furthermore, as part of the treatment, antiviral drugs such as remdesivir, favipiravir, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine, daclatasvir, atazanavir, and many more have been tested clinically to check their potency for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 but none of these antiviral drugs are the definitive cure or suitable prophylaxis. Thus, it is always required to combat SARS-CoV-2 spread and infection for a better and precise prognosis. This review answers the above mentioned challenges by employing nanomedicine for the development of improved detection, treatment, and prevention strategies for SARS-CoV-2. In this review, nanotechnology-based detection methods such as colorimetric assays, photothermal biosensors, molecularly imprinted nanoparticles sensors, electrochemical nanoimmunosensors, aptamer-based biosensors have been discussed. Furthermore, nanotechnology-based treatment strategies involving polymeric nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, and nanocarrier-based antiviral siRNA delivery have been depicted. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 prevention strategies, which include the nanotechnology for upgrading personal protective equipment, facemasks, ocular protection gears, and nanopolymer-based disinfectants, have been also reviewed. This review will provide a one-site informative platform for researchers to explore the crucial role of nanomedicine in managing the COVID-19 curse more effectively.

PLGA microparticle formulations for tunable delivery of a nano-engineered filamentous bacteriophage-based vaccine: in vitro and in silico-supported approach

Bacteriophages have attracted great attention in the bioengineering field in diverse research areas from tissue engineering to therapeutic and clinical applications. Recombinant filamentous bacteriophage, carrying multiple copies of foreign peptides on protein capsid has been successfully used in the vaccine delivery setting, even if their plasma instability and degradation have limited their use on the pharmaceutical market. Encapsulation techniques in polymeric materials can be applied to preserve bacteriophage activity, extend its half-life, and finely regulate their release in the target environment. The main goal of this study was to provide tunable formulations of the bacteriophage encapsulated in polymeric microparticles (MPs). We used poly (lactic-co-glycolic-acid) as a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer with ammonium bicarbonate as a porogen to encapsulate bacteriophage expressing OVA (257-264) antigenic peptide. We demonstrate that nano-engineered fdOVA bacteriophages encapsulated in MPs preserve their structure and are immunologically active, inducing a strong immune response towards the delivered peptide. Moreover, MP encapsulation prolongs bacteriophage stability over time also at room temperature. Additionally, in this study, we show the ability of in silico-supported approach to predict and tune the release of bacteriophages. These results lay the framework for a versatile bacteriophage-based vaccine delivery system that could successfully generate robust immune responses in a sustained manner, to be used as a platform against cancer and new emerging diseases.

Graphical abstract

Synopsis: administration of recombinant bacteriophage-loaded PLGA microparticles for antigen delivery. PLGA microparticles release the bacteriophages, inducing activation of dendritic cells and enhancing antigen presentation and specific T cell response. Bacteriophage-encapsulated microneedles potentially can be administered into human body and generate robust immune responses.

Therapeutic and diagnostic applications of nanoparticles in the management of COVID-19: a comprehensive overview

In December 2019, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, China. Comprehensive strategies for quick identification, prevention, control, and remedy of COVID-19 have been implemented until today. Advances in various nanoparticle-based technologies, including organic and inorganic nanoparticles, have created new perspectives in this field. These materials were extensively used to control COVID-19 because of their specific attribution to preparing antiviral face masks, various safety sensors, etc. In this review, the most current nanoparticle-based technologies, applications, and achievements against the coronavirus were summarized and highlighted. This paper also offers nanoparticle preventive, diagnostic, and treatment options to combat this pandemic.

Methods for Radiolabelling Nanoparticles: SPECT Use (Part 1)

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) is rapidly increasing in nuclear medicine (NM) for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Their wide use is due to their chemical–physical characteristics and possibility to deliver several molecules. NPs can be synthetised by organic and/or inorganic materials and they can have different size, shape, chemical composition, and charge. These factors influence their biodistribution, clearance, and targeting ability in vivo. NPs can be designed to encapsulate inside the core or bind to the surface several molecules, including radionuclides, for different clinical applications. Either diagnostic or therapeutic radioactive NPs can be synthetised, making a so-called theragnostic tool. To date, there are several methods for radiolabelling NPs that vary depending on both the physical and chemical properties of the NPs and on the isotope used. In this review, we analysed and compared different methods for radiolabelling NPs for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) use.

Macrophage Cell Membrane-Cloaked Nanoplatforms for Biomedical Applications

Biomimetic approaches utilize natural cell membrane-derived nanovesicles to camouflage nanoparticles to circumvent some limitations of nanoscale materials. This emergent cell membrane-coating technology is inspired by naturally occurring intercellular interactions, to efficiently guide nanostructures to the desired locations, thereby increasing both therapeutic efficacy and safety. In addition, the intrinsic biocompatibility of cell membranes allows the crossing of biological barriers and avoids elimination by the immune system. This results in enhanced blood circulation time and lower toxicity in vivo. Macrophages are the major phagocytic cells of the innate immune system. They are equipped with a complex repertoire of surface receptors, enabling them to respond to biological signals, and to exhibit a natural tropism to inflammatory sites and tumorous tissues. Macrophage cell membrane-functionalized nanosystems are designed to combine the advantages of both macrophages and nanomaterials, improving the ability of those nanosystems to reach target sites. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of these biomimetic nanosystems for targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents to tumors, inflammatory, and infected sites. The present review covers the preparation and biomedical applications of macrophage cell membrane-coated nanosystems. Challenges and future perspectives in the development of these membrane-coated nanosystems are addressed.