Recent advances of PLGA micro/nanoparticles for the delivery of biomacromolecular therapeutics

Advancements in curcumin-loaded PLGA nanoparticle delivery systems: progressive strategies in cancer therapy

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden with little impact especially on aggressive types of cancer. Conventional therapies have many serious side effects including generalised systemic toxicity which limits their long-term use. Tumour resistance and recurrence is another main problem associated with conventional therapy. Purified or extracted natural products have been investigated as cost-effective cancer chemoprotective agents with the potential to reverse or delaying carcinogenesis. Curcumin (CUR) as a natural polyphenolic component, exhibits many pharmacological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, activity against neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer, antidiabetic activities (type II diabetes), anticoagulant properties, wound healing effects in both preclinical and clinical studies. Despite these effective protective properties, CUR has several limitations, including poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, chemical instability, rapid metabolism and a short half-life time. To overcome the pharmaceutical problems associated with free CUR, novel nanomedicine strategies (including polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) such as poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs have been developed. These formulations have the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of curcuminoids. In this review, we comprehensively summarise and discuss recent in vitro and in vivo studies to explore the pharmaceutical significance and clinical benefits of PLGA-NPs delivery system to improve the efficacy of CUR in the treatment of cancer.

Nanoparticle co-delivery of carboplatin and PF543 restores platinum sensitivity in ovarian cancer models through inhibiting platinum-induced pro-survival pathway activation

Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy is the major cause of poor prognosis and cancer-associated mortality in ovarian cancer patients, so novel therapeutic strategies to restore platinum sensitivity are needed to improve patient outcomes. Sphingosine Kinase (SphK) 1 is involved in regulating multiple pro-survival pathways, key mediators in the sensitivity of tumor cells toward platinum. By encapsulating CBP and the SphK1 inhibitor PF543 in PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles, a dual-drug delivery system (C/PNPs) was formed to simultaneously deliver CBP and PF543. The physicochemical characteristics, cell uptake rate and biodistribution behavior of C/PNPs were evaluated. Then the anti-tumor ability of C/PNPs in vitro and in vivo was further investigated. The C/PNPs could deliver CBP and PF543 simultaneously to a platinum-insensitive cell line (SKOV3) both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, benefiting from the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of PLGA NPs, C/PNPs exhibited an improved tumor region accumulation. As a result, a synergistic anti-tumor effect was found in the SKOV3 tumor-bearing mice, with tumor volume inhibiting rates of 84.64% and no side effects in major organs. The mechanistic studies confirmed that the inhibition of SphK1 by PF543 sensitized SKOV3 cells to CBP chemotherapy, partly by inhibiting the CBP-induced activation of pro-survival pathways, including ERK, AKT and STAT3 signaling. Our study reveals that C/PNPs can serve as an efficient dual-drug delivery system to restore platinum sensitivity in ovarian cancer models partly through inhibiting platinum-induced pro-survival pathway activation.

The influence of various polymer coatings on the in vitro and in vivo properties of PLGA nanoparticles: Comprehensive study

Nanoparticles based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with various surface chemistry are widely used in biomedicine for theranostic applications. The nature of the external coating of nanoparticles has a significant influence on their efficiency as drug carriers or visualization agents. However, information about the mechanisms of nanoparticle accumulation in tumors and the influence of their surface properties on biodistribution is scarce due to the lack of systematic evaluation. Here we investigate the effect of different polymer coatings of the surface on in vitro and in vivo properties of PLGA nanoparticles. Namely, cell binding efficiency, cytotoxicity, efficiency of fluorescent bioimaging, and tumor accumulation were tested. The highest binding efficiency in vitro and cytotoxicity were observed for positively charged polymers. Interestingly, in vivo fluorescent visualization of tumor-bearing mice and quantitative measurements of biodistribution of magnetite-loaded nanoparticles indicated different dependences of accumulation in tumors on the coating of PLGA nanoparticles. This means that nanoparticle surface properties can simultaneously enhance imaging efficiency and decrease quantitative accumulation in tumors. The obtained data demonstrate the complexity of the dependence of nanoparticles' effectiveness for theranostic applications on surface features. We believe that this study will contribute to the rational design of nanoparticles for effective cancer diagnostics and therapy.

Targeting pentamidine towards CD44-overexpressing cells using hyaluronated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles

Biodegradable nanocarriers possess enormous potential for use as drug delivery systems that can accomplish controlled and targeted drug release, and a wide range of nanosystems have been reported for the treatment and/or diagnosis of various diseases and disorders. Of the various nanocarriers currently available, liposomes and polymer nanoparticles have been extensively studied and some formulations have already reached the market. However, a combination of properties to create a single hybrid system can give these carriers significant advantages, such as improvement in encapsulation efficacy, higher stability, and active targeting towards specific cells or tissues, over lipid or polymer-based platforms. To this aim, this work presents the formulation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles in the presence of a hyaluronic acid (HA)-phospholipid conjugate (HA-DPPE), which was used to anchor HA onto the nanoparticle surface and therefore create an actively targeted hybrid nanosystem. Furthermore, ionic interactions have been proposed for drug encapsulation, leading us to select the free base form of pentamidine (PTM-B) as the model drug. We herein report the preparation of hybrid nanocarriers that were loaded via ion-pairing between the negatively charged PLGA and HA and the positively charged PTM-B, demonstrating an improved loading capacity compared to PLGA-based nanoparticles. The nanocarriers displayed a size of below 150 nm, a negative zeta potential of -35 mV, a core-shell internal arrangement and high encapsulation efficiency (90%). Finally, the ability to be taken up and exert preferential and receptor-mediated cytotoxicity on cancer cells that overexpress the HA specific receptor (CD44) has been evaluated. Competition assays supported the hypothesis that PLGA/HA-DPPE nanoparticles deliver their cargo within cells in a CD44-dependent manner.

Lipid- and polymer-based formulations containing TNF-α inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

Monoclonal antibodies inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (iTNF-α) have revolutionized the therapeutic regimen of inflammatory bowel disease, but their main drawback is the parenteral route of administration they require. An alternative approach lies in the delivery of these molecules to the area involved in the inflammatory process by means of innovative formulations able to promote their localization in affected tissues while also decreasing the number of administrations required. This review describes the advantages deriving from the use of lipid- and polymer-based systems containing iTNF-α, focusing on their physicochemical and technological properties and discussing the preclinical results obtained in vivo using rodent models of colitis.

Intravitreal therapeutic nanoparticles for age-related macular degeneration: Design principles, progress and opportunities

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. The current standard treatment for AMD involves frequent intravitreal administrations of therapeutic agents. While effective, this approach presents challenges, including patient discomfort, inconvenience, and the risk of adverse complications. Nanoparticle-based intravitreal drug delivery platforms offer a promising solution to overcome these limitations. These platforms are engineered to target the retina specifically and control drug release, which enhances drug retention, improves drug concentration and bioavailability at the retinal site, and reduces the frequency of injections. This review aims to uncover the design principles guiding the development of highly effective nanoparticle-based intravitreal drug delivery platforms for AMD treatment. By gaining a deeper understanding of the physiology of ocular barriers and the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, we establish a basis for designing intravitreal nanoparticles to optimize drug delivery and drug retention in the retina. Furthermore, we review recent nanoparticle-based intravitreal therapeutic strategies to highlight their potential in improving AMD treatment efficiency. Lastly, we address the challenges and opportunities in this field, providing insights into the future of nanoparticle-based drug delivery to improve therapeutic outcomes for AMD patients.

Challenges in Optimizing Nanoplatforms Used for Local and Systemic Delivery in the Oral Cavity

In this study, we focused on innovative approaches to improve drug administration in oral pathology, especially by transmucosal and transdermal pathways. These improvements refer to the type of microneedles used (proposing needles in the saw), to the use of certain enhancers such as essential oils (which, besides the amplifier action, also have intrinsic actions on oral health), to associations of active substances with synergistic action, as well as the use of copolymeric membranes, cemented directly on the tooth. We also propose a review of the principles of release at the level of the oral mucosa and of the main release systems used in oral pathology. Controlled failure systems applicable in oral pathology include the following: fast dissolving films, mucoadhesive tablets, hydrogels, intraoral mucoadhesive films, composite wafers, and smart drugs. The novelty elements brought by this paper refer to the possibilities of optimizing the localized drug delivery system in osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint, neuropathic pain, oral cancer, periodontitis, and pericoronitis, as well as in maintaining oral health. We would like to mention the possibility of incorporating natural products into the controlled failure systems used in oral pathology, paying special attention to essential oils.

The beneficial health effects of puerarin in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases: from mechanisms to therapeutics

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death globally that seriously threaten human health. Although novel western medicines have continued to be discovered over the past few decades to inhibit the progression of CVDs, new drug research and development for treating CVDs with less side effects and adverse reactions are continuously being desired. Puerarin is a natural product found in a variety of medicinal plants belonging to the flavonoid family with potent biological and pharmacological activities. Abundant research findings in the literature have suggested that puerarin possesses a promising prospect in treating CVDs. In recent years, numerous new molecular mechanisms of puerarin have been explored in experimental and clinical studies, providing new evidence for this plant metabolite to protect against CVDs. This article systematically introduces the history of use, bioavailability, and various dosage forms of puerarin and further summarizes recently published data on the major research advances and their underlying therapeutic mechanisms in treating CVDs. It may provide references for researchers in the fields of pharmacology, natural products, and internal medicine.

Pioglitazone Phases and Metabolic Effects in Nanoparticle-Treated Cells Analyzed via Rapid Visualization of FLIM Images

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has proven to be a useful method for analyzing various aspects of material science and biology, like the supramolecular organization of (slightly) fluorescent compounds or the metabolic activity in non-labeled cells; in particular, FLIM phasor analysis (phasor-FLIM) has the potential for an intuitive representation of complex fluorescence decays and therefore of the analyzed properties. Here we present and make available tools to fully exploit this potential, in particular by coding via hue, saturation, and intensity the phasor positions and their weights both in the phasor plot and in the microscope image. We apply these tools to analyze FLIM data acquired via two-photon microscopy to visualize: (i) different phases of the drug pioglitazone (PGZ) in solutions and/or crystals, (ii) the position in the phasor plot of non-labelled poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs), and (iii) the effect of PGZ or PGZ-containing NPs on the metabolism of insulinoma (INS-1 E) model cells. PGZ is recognized for its efficacy in addressing insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and polymeric nanoparticles offer versatile platforms for drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and controlled release kinetics. This study lays the foundation for a better understanding via phasor-FLIM of the organization and effects of drugs, in particular, PGZ, within NPs, aiming at better control of encapsulation and pharmacokinetics, and potentially at novel anti-diabetics theragnostic nanotools.

Emerging application of nanomedicine-based therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are serious lung injuries caused by various factors, leading to increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary barrier, reduced stability of the alveoli, inflammatory response, and hypoxemia. Despite several decades of research since ARDS was first formally described in 1967, reliable clinical treatment options are still lacking. Currently, supportive therapy and mechanical ventilation are prioritized, and there is no medication that can be completely effective in clinical treatment. In recent years, nanomedicine has developed rapidly and has exciting preclinical treatment capabilities. Using a drug delivery system based on nanobiotechnology, local drugs can be continuously released in lung tissue at therapeutic levels, reducing the frequency of administration and improving patient compliance. Furthermore, this novel drug delivery system can target specific sites and reduce systemic side effects. Currently, many nanomedicine treatment options for ARDS have demonstrated efficacy. This review briefly introduces the pathophysiology of ARDS, discusses various research progress on using nanomedicine to treat ARDS, and anticipates future developments in related fields.

Nanomaterial-based drug-delivery system as an aid to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in treating oral biofilm

Diverse microorganisms live as biofilm in the mouth accounts for oral diseases and treatment failure. For decades, the prevention and treatment of oral biofilm is a global challenge. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) holds promise for oral biofilm elimination due to its several traits, including broad-spectrum antimicrobial capacity, lower possibility of resistance and low cytotoxicity. However, the physicochemical properties of photosensitizers and the biological barrier of oral biofilm have limited the efficiency of aPDT. Nanomaterials has been used to fabricate nanocarriers to improve photosensitizer properties and thus enhance antimicrobial effect. In this review, we have discussed the challenges of aPDT used in dentistry, categorized the nanomaterial-delivery system and listed the possible mechanisms involved in nanomaterials when enhancing aPDT effect.

Protective effect and pharmacokinetics of dihydromyricetin nanoparticles on oxidative damage of myocardium

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the protective mechanism of dihydromyricetin PLGA nanoparticles (DMY-PLGA NPs) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in vitro and the improvement of oral bioavailability in vivo.

METHODS

DMY-PLGA NPs was prepared and characterized by emulsifying solvent volatilization, and the oxidative stress model of rat H9c2 cardiomyocyte induced by H2O2 was established. After administration, cell survival rate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected, and the expressions of PGC1α and PPARα were detected by western blot (WB). At the same time, the pharmacokinetics in rats were studied to explore the improvement of bioavailability.

RESULTS

DMY-PLGA NPs can significantly increase cell survival rate, decrease LDH and MDA content, increase SOD content and PGC1α、PPARα protein expression. Compared with DMY, the peak time of DMY-PLGA NPs was extended (P<0.1), and the bioavailability was increased by 2.04 times.

CONCLUSION

DMY-PLGA NPs has a significant protective effect on H9c2 cardiomyocytes, which promotes the absorption of DMY and effectively improves bioavailability.

FM19G11-loaded nanoparticles modulate energetic status and production of reactive oxygen species in myoblasts from ALS mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Considerable evidence indicates that early skeletal muscle atrophy plays a crucial role in the disease pathogenesis, leading to an altered muscle-motor neuron crosstalk that, in turn, may contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Currently, there is no effective treatment for ALS, highlighting the need to dig deeper into the pathological mechanisms for developing innovative therapeutic strategies. FM19G11 is a novel drug able to modulate the global cellular metabolism, but its effects on ALS skeletal muscle atrophy and mitochondrial metabolism have never been evaluated, yet. This study investigated whether FM19G11-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) may affect the bioenergetic status in myoblasts isolated from G93A-SOD1 mice at different disease stages. We found that FM19G1-loaded NP treatment was able to increase transcriptional levels of Akt1, Akt3, Mef2a, Mef2c and Ucp2, which are key genes associated with cell proliferation (Akt1, Akt3), muscle differentiation (Mef2c), and mitochondrial activity (Ucp2), in G93A-SOD1 myoblasts. These cells also showed a significant reduction of mitochondrial area and networks, in addition to decreased ROS production after treatment with FM19G11-loaded NPs, suggesting a ROS clearance upon the amelioration of mitochondrial dynamics. Our overall findings demonstrate a significant impact of FM19G11-loaded NPs on muscle cell function and bioenergetic status in G93A-SOD1 myoblasts, thus promising to open new avenues towards possible adoption of FM19G11-based nanotherapies to slow muscle degeneration in the frame of ALS and muscle disorders.

In vivo evaluation of a Nano-enabled therapeutic vitreous substitute for the precise delivery of triamcinolone to the posterior segment of the eye

This study focused on the design of a thermoresponsive, nano-enabled vitreous substitute for the treatment of retinal diseases. Synthesis of a hydrogel composed of hyaluronic acid and a poloxamer blend was undertaken. Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid nanoparticles encapsulating triamcinolone acetonide (TA) were synthesised with a spherical morphology and mean diameter of ~ 153 nm. Hydrogel fabrication and nanoparticle loading within the hydrogel was confirmed via physicochemical analysis. Gelation studies indicated that hydrogels formed in nine minutes and 10 min for the unloaded and nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels, respectively. The hydrogels displayed in situ gel formation properties, and rheometric viscoelastic studies indicated the unloaded and loaded hydrogels to have modulus values similar to those of the natural vitreous at 37 °C. Administration of the hydrogels was possible via 26G needles allowing for clinical application and drug release of triamcinolone acetonide from the nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel, which provided sustained in vitro drug release over nine weeks. The hydrogels displayed minimal swelling, reaching equilibrium swelling within 12 h for the unloaded hydrogel, and eight hours for the nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel. Biodegradation in simulated vitreous humour with lysozyme showed < 20% degradation within nine weeks. Biocompatibility of both unloaded and loaded hydrogels was shown with mouse fibroblast and human retinal pigment epithelium cell lines. Lastly, a pilot in vivo study in a New Zealand White rabbit model displayed minimal toxicity with precise, localised drug release behaviour, and ocular TA levels maintained within the therapeutic window for the 28-day investigation period, which supports the potential applicability of the unloaded and nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels as vitreous substitutes that function as drug delivery systems following vitrectomy surgery.

The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Alzheimer's Disease: From Mechanism to Biomaterials Therapy

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, insidious, and progressive neurodegenerative disease that remains a clinical challenge for society. The fully approved drug lecanemab exhibits the prospect of therapy against the pathological processes, while debatable adverse events conflict with the drug concentration required for the anticipated therapeutic effects. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathological progression of AD, as has been demonstrated in much research regarding oxidative stress (OS). The contradiction between anticipated dosage and adverse event may be resolved through targeted transport by biomaterials and get therapeutic effects through pathological progression via regulation of ROS. Besides, biomaterials fix delivery issues by promoting the penetration of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), protecting the drug from peripheral degradation, and elevating bioavailability. The goal is to comprehensively understand the mechanisms of ROS in the progression of AD disease and the potential of ROS-related biomaterials in the treatment of AD. This review focuses on OS and its connection with AD and novel biomaterials in recent years against AD via OS to inspire novel biomaterial development. Revisiting these biomaterials and mechanisms associated with OS in AD via thorough investigations presents a considerable potential and bright future for improving effective interventions for AD.

Using anti-PD-L1 antibody conjugated gold nanoshelled poly (Lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanocapsules loaded with doxorubicin: A theranostic agent for ultrasound imaging and photothermal/chemo combination therapy of triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis of all breast cancers, and it is difficult to progress through traditional chemotherapy. Therefore, the treatment of TNBC urgently requires agents with effective diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. In this study, we obtained programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody conjugated gold nanoshelled poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanocapsules (NCs) encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) (DOX@PLGA@Au-PD-L1 NCs). PLGA NCs encapsulating DOX were prepared by a modified single-emulsion oil-in-water (O/W) solvent evaporation method, and gold nanoshells were formed on the surface by gold seed growth method, which were coupled with PD-L1 antibodies by carbodiimide method. The fabricated DOX@PLGA@Au-PD-L1 NCs exhibited promising contrast enhancement in vitro ultrasound imaging. Furthermore, DOX encapsulated in NCs displayed good pH-responsive and photo-triggered drug release properties. After irradiating 200 μg/mL NCs solution with a laser for 10 min, the solution temperature increased by nearly 23°C, indicating that the NCs had good photothermal conversion ability. The targeting experiments confirmed that the NCs had specific target binding ability to TNBC cells overexpressing PD-L1 molecules. Cell experiments exhibited that the agent significantly reduced the survival rate of TNBC cells through photochemotherapy combination therapy. As a multifunctional diagnostic agent, DOX@PLGA@Au-PD-L1 NCs could be used for ultrasound targeted contrast imaging and photochemotherapy combination therapy of TNBC cells, providing a promising idea for early diagnosis and treatment of TNBC.

Redox-Responsive Polymeric Nanoparticle for Nucleic Acid Delivery and Cancer Therapy: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges

Cancer development and progression of cancer are closely associated with the activation of oncogenes and loss of tumor suppressor genes. Nucleic acid drugs (e.g., siRNA, mRNA, and DNA) are widely used for cancer therapy due to their specific ability to regulate the expression of any cancer-associated genes. However, nucleic acid drugs are negatively charged biomacromolecules that are susceptible to serum nucleases and cannot cross cell membrane. Therefore, specific delivery tools are required to facilitate the intracellular delivery of nucleic acid drugs. In the past few decades, a variety of nanoparticles (NPs) are designed and developed for nucleic acid delivery and cancer therapy. In particular, the polymeric NPs in response to the abnormal redox status in cancer cells have garnered much more attention as their potential in redox-triggered nanostructure dissociation and rapid intracellular release of nucleic acid drugs. In this review, the important genes or signaling pathways regulating the abnormal redox status in cancer cells are briefly introduced and the recent development of redox-responsive NPs for nucleic acid delivery and cancer therapy is systemically summarized. The future development of NPs-mediated nucleic acid delivery and their challenges in clinical translation are also discussed.

Current developments and prospects of the antibiotic delivery systems

Antibiotics have remained the cornerstone for the treatment of bacterial infections ever since their discovery in the twentieth century. The uproar over antibiotic resistance among bacteria arising from genome plasticity and biofilm development has rendered current antibiotic therapies ineffective, urging the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. The development of antibiotic resistance among bacteria has further heightened the clinical failure of antibiotic therapy, which is often linked to its low bioavailability, side effects, and poor penetration and accumulation at the site of infection. In this review, we highlight the potential use of siderophores, antibodies, cell-penetrating peptides, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, and nanoparticles to smuggle antibiotics across impermeable biological membranes to achieve therapeutically relevant concentrations of antibiotics and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We will discuss the general mechanisms via which each delivery system functions and how it can be tailored to deliver antibiotics against the paradigm of mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance.

Oral Nanomedicine: Challenges and Opportunities

Compared to injection administration, oral administration is free of discomfort, wound infection, and complications and has a higher compliance rate for patients with diverse diseases. However, oral administration reduces the bioavailability of medicines, especially biologics (e.g., peptides, proteins, and antibodies), due to harsh gastrointestinal biological barriers. In this context, the development and prosperity of nanotechnology have helped improve the bioactivity and oral availability of oral medicines. On this basis, first, the biological barriers to oral administration are discussed, and then oral nanomedicine based on organic and inorganic nanomaterials and their biomedical applications in diverse diseases are reviewed. Finally, the challenges and potential opportunities in the future development of oral nanomedicine, which may provide a vital reference for the eventual clinical transformation and standardized production of oral nanomedicine, are put forward.

Intra-articular administration of PLGA resveratrol sustained-release nanoparticles attenuates the development of rat osteoarthritis

Our previous studies have confirmed that resveratrol (RSV) can prevent the development of osteoarthritis through a variety of mechanisms, such as apoptosis inhibition, autophagy induction and SIRT 1 activation. However, the pharmaceutical application of RSV is mainly limited by its low bioavailability. Here, we designed and synthesized RSV-loaded poly (D, l-lactide-coglycolide acid) (PLGA)-nanoparticles (NPs). The average particle size, polydispersity index and positive charge of RSV-loaded PLGA NPs were 50.40 nm, 0.217 and 12.57 mV, respectively. These nanoparticles had marked encapsulation efficiency (92.35 %) and drug loading (15.1 %) for RSV. It was found that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs not only inhibited the apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by IL-1, but also rescued GAG loss in vitro. Pharmacokinetic data showed that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs demonstrated a significantly profound and prolonged concentration profile in joint tissues, with quantifiable RSV concentrations over 35 days. The therapeutic effects of RSV-loaded PLGA NPs were then examined in rat osteoarthritis models. In vitro magnetic resonance imaging results showed that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs treatment dramatically reduced both T1ρ and T2 relaxation times at 4, 8, 12 weeks during administration, implying that cartilage destruction was alleviated. Histological assessments showed that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs significantly improved osteoarthritis symptoms. Gene expression analysis revealed that osteoarthritis mediator genes were downregulated in rats treated with RSV-PLGA NPs. Mechanistic studies indicated that RSV-loaded PLGA NPs inhibit apoptosis and promote autophagy. Collectively, this study demonstrates that intra-articular delivery of RSV via PLGA NPs might be an effective therapeutic approach for osteoarthritis.

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Bone Tuberculosis Management

Bone tuberculosis, an extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis, presents unique treatment challenges, including its insidious onset and complex pathology. While advancements in anti-tubercular therapy have been made, the efficacy is often limited by difficulties in achieving targeted drug concentrations and avoiding systemic toxicity. The intricate bone structure and presence of granulomas further impede effective drug delivery. Nano-drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising alternative, offering the enhanced targeting of anti-tubercular drugs. These systems, characterized by their minute size and adaptable surface properties, can be tailored to improve drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability, while also responding to specific stimuli within the bone TB microenvironment for controlled drug release. Nano-drug delivery systems can encapsulate drugs for precise delivery to the infection site. A significant innovation is their integration with prosthetics or biomaterials, which aids in both drug delivery and bone reconstruction, addressing the infection and its osteological consequences. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology of bone tuberculosis and its current treatments, emphasizing their limitations. It then delves into the advancements in nano-drug delivery systems, discussing their design, functionality, and role in bone TB therapy. The review assesses their potential in preclinical research, particularly in targeted drug delivery, treatment efficacy, and a reduction of side effects. Finally, it highlights the transformative promise of nanotechnology in bone TB treatments and suggests future research directions in this evolving field.

A review of chitosan in gene therapy: Developments and challenges

Gene therapy, as a revolutionary treatment, has been gaining more and more attention. The key to gene therapy is the selection of suitable vectors for protection of exogenous nucleic acid molecules and enabling their specific release in target cells. While viral vectors have been widely used in researches, non-viral vectors are receiving more attention due to its advantages. Chitosan (CS) has been widely used as non-viral organic gene carrier because of its good biocompatibility and its ability to load large amounts of nucleic acids. This paper summarizes and evaluates the potential of chitosan and its derivatives as gene delivery vector materials, along with factors influencing transfection efficiency, performance evaluation, ways to optimize infectious efficiency, and the current main research development directions. Additionally, it provides an outlook on its future prospects.

Ultrasound-mediated PLGA-PEI Nanobubbles Carrying STAT6 SiRNA Enhances NSCLC Treatment via Repolarizing Tumor-associated Macrophages from M2 to M1 Phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) development.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-polyethylenimine (PEI) nanobubbles (NBs) carrying STAT6 siRNA were prepared and combined with ultrasound-mediated nanobubbles destruction (UMND) to silence the STAT6 gene, ultimately repolarizing TAMs from the M2 to the M1 phenotype, treating NSCLC in vitro.

METHODS

PLGA-PEI NBs-siRNA were prepared and characterised, and their respective ultrasound imaging, biological stabilities and cytotoxicities were detected. Transfection efficiency was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Repolarization of THP-1-derived M2-like macrophages was determined by qPCR and flow cytometry. NSCLC cells (A549) were co-cultured with transfected M2-like macrophages or their associated conditioned medium (CM). Western blotting was used to detect STAT6 gene silencing in M2-like macrophages and markers of epithelial and mesenchymal in A549 cells. The proliferation of A549 cells was detected using CCK-8 and cell colony formation assays. Transwell assays were used to detect the migration and invasion of A549 cells.

RESULTS

PLGA-PEI NBs-siRNA had an average size of 223.13 ± 0.92 nm and a zeta potential of about -5.59 ± 0.97 mV. PLGA-PEI NBs showed excellent ultrasonic imaging capability in addition to biological stability to protect siRNA from degradation. UMND enhanced PLGA-PEI NBs-STAT6 siRNA transfection in M2-like macrophages, which made M2-like macrophages repolarize to M1-like macrophages and prevented proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in A549 cells.

CONCLUSION

UMND enhanced PLGA-PEI NBs-STAT6 siRNA to repolarize TAMs from the M2 to the M1 phenotype, thus treating NSCLC. These findings provide a promising therapeutic approach for enhancing NSCLC immunotherapy.

Pulmonary delivery of nano-particles for lung cancer diagnosis and therapy: Recent advances and future prospects

Although our understanding of lung cancer has significantly improved in the past decade, it is still a disease with a high incidence and mortality rate. The key reason is that the efficacy of the therapeutic drugs is limited, mainly due to insufficient doses of drugs delivered to the lungs. To achieve precise lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, nano-particles (NPs) pulmonary delivery techniques have attracted much attention and facilitate the exploration of the potential of those in inhalable NPs targeting tumor lesions. Since the therapeutic research focusing on pulmonary delivery NPs has rapidly developed and evolved substantially, this review will mainly discuss the current developments of pulmonary delivery NPs for precision lung cancer diagnosis and therapy. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Respiratory Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging.

Progress of biodegradable polymer application in cardiac occluders

Cardiac septal defect is the most prevalent congenital heart disease and is typically treated with open-heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Since the 1990s, with the advancement of interventional techniques and minimally invasive transthoracic closure techniques, cardiac occluder implantation represented by the Amplazter products has been the preferred treatment option. Currently, most occlusion devices used in clinical settings are primarily composed of Nitinol as the skeleton. Nevertheless, long-term follow-up studies have revealed various complications related to metal skeletons, including hemolysis, thrombus, metal allergy, cardiac erosion, and even severe atrioventricular block. Thus, occlusion devices made of biodegradable materials have become the focus of research. Over the past two decades, several bioabsorbable cardiac occluders for ventricular septal defect and atrial septal defect have been designed and trialed on animals or humans. This review summarizes the research progress of bioabsorbable cardiac occluders, the advantages and disadvantages of different biodegradable polymers used to fabricate occluders, and discusses future research directions concerning the structures and materials of bioabsorbable cardiac occluders.

MiRNA320a Inhibitor-Loaded PLGA-PLL-PEG Nanoparticles Contribute to Bone Regeneration in Trauma-Induced Osteonecrosis Model of the Femoral Head

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore the effect of a nanomaterial-based miR-320a inhibitor sustained release system in trauma-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (TIONFH).

METHODS

The miR-320a inhibitor-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG)- Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)- Poly-L-lysine (PLL) nanoparticles were constructed using the double emulsion method. The TIONFH rabbit model was established to observe the effects of miR-320a inhibitor nanoparticles in vivo. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and microcomputed tomography scanning were used for bone morphology analysis. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), derived from TIONFH rabbits, were used for in vitro experiments. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay.

RESULTS

High expression of miR-320a inhibited the osteogenic differentiation capacity of BMSCs in vitro by inhibiting the expression of the osteoblastic differentiation markers ALP and RUNX2. MiR-320a inhibitor-loaded PEG-PLGA-PLL nanoparticles were constructed with a mean loading efficiency of 1.414 ± 0.160%, and a mean encapsulation efficiency of 93.45 ± 1.24%, which released 50% of the loaded miR-320a inhibitor at day 12 and 80% on day 18. Then, inhibitor release entered the plateau. After treatment with the miR-320a inhibitor nanoparticle, the empty lacunae were decreased in the femoral head tissue of TIONFH rabbits, and the osteoblast surface/bone surface (Ob.S/BS), osteoblast number/bone perimeter (Ob.N/B.Pm), bone volume fraction, and bone mineral density increased. Additionally, the expression of osteogenic markers RUNX2 and ALP was significantly elevated in the TIONFH rabbit model.

CONCLUSION

The miR-320a inhibitor-loaded PEG-PLGA-PLL nanoparticle sustained drug release system significantly contributed to bone regeneration in the TIONFH rabbit model, which might be a promising strategy for the treatment of TIONFH.

Development of curcumin-loaded galactosylated chitosan-coated nanoparticles for targeted delivery of hepatocellular carcinoma

Curcumin (CUR) has good antitumor effects, but its poor aqueous solubility severely limits its clinical application and the systemic nonspecific distribution of the free drug in tumor patients is a key therapeutic challenge. In order to overcome the limitations of free drugs and improve the therapeutic efficacy, we developed novel galactosylated chitosan (GC)-modified nanoparticles (GC@NPs) based on poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PEG-PLGA), which can target asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) expressed on hepatocellular carcinoma cells and have excellent biocompatibility. The results showed that the drug loading (DL) of CUR was approximately 4.56 %. A favorable biosafety profile was maintained up to concentrations of 500 μg/mL. Furthermore, in vitro cellular assays showed that GC@NPs could be efficiently internalized by HepG2 cells via ASGPR-mediated endocytosis and successfully released CUR for chemotherapy. More importantly, in vivo anti-tumor experiments revealed that GC@NPs were able to accumulate effectively within tumor sites through EPR effect and ASGPR-mediated endocytosis, leading to superior inhibition of tumor growth compared to free CUR. Overall, GC@NPs are a promising CUR nanocarrier for enhanced tumor therapy with a good biosafety profile.

Study on a co-hybrid nano-hydroxyapatite with lignin derivatives and alendronate and the reinforce effect for poly(lactide-co-glycolide)

A novel co-hybrid nano-apatite (n-HA) by introducing lignin derivatives (LDs) and alendronate (ALE) was designed to reinforce poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). The effect of different addition methods and contents of LDs, lignin derivatives sorts of lignosulfonate (LS), alkali lignin (AL) and carboxymethyl lignin (CML), and the addition order of ALE on the dispersion of hybrid n-HA, and reinforce effective for PLGA were investigated by FTIR, XRD, TEM, TGA, XPS, N2 adsorption/desorption, zeta potential, dispersion experiments, universal testing machine, SEM, DSC and POM. The results showed that the addition order could regulate the growth of n-HA crystal planes by binding with Ca2+, and co-hybrid HA by LDs and ALE possessed better dispersion owing to the synergistic effect. Moreover, 10 wt% LS-ALE-n-HA displayed the best reinforce effect, and the tensile strength of composite was 24.43 % higher than that of PLGA, even 15 wt% LS-ALE-n-HA was added, it still exhibited reinforce effect for PLGA. In vitro soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) results indicated that LS-ALE-n-HA delayed tensile strength reduce of PLGA and promoted bone-like apatite deposition. The cell proliferation results demonstrated that the hybrid n-HA by the introduction of ALE endowed PLGA with better cell adhesion and proliferation.

Recent Advances of Multifunctional PLGA Nanocarriers in the Management of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Even though chemotherapy stands as a standard option in the therapy of TNBC, problems associated with it such as anemia, bone marrow suppression, immune suppression, toxic effects on healthy cells, and multi-drug resistance (MDR) can compromise their effects. Nanoparticles gained paramount importance in overcoming the limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Among the various options, nanotechnology has appeared as a promising path in preclinical and clinical studies for early diagnosis of primary tumors and metastases and destroying tumor cells. PLGA has been extensively studied amongst various materials used for the preparation of nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery and adjuvant therapy because of their capability of higher encapsulation, easy surface functionalization, increased stability, protection of drugs from degradation versatility, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Furthermore, this review also provides an overview of PLGA-based nanoparticles including hybrid nanoparticles such as the inorganic PLGA nanoparticles, lipid-coated PLGA nanoparticles, cell membrane-coated PLGA nanoparticles, hydrogels, exosomes, and nanofibers. The effects of all these systems in various in vitro and in vivo models of TNBC were explained thus pointing PLGA-based NPs as a strategy for the management of TNBC.

OpiCa1-PEG-PLGA nanomicelles antagonize acute heart failure induced by the cocktail of epinephrine and caffeine

Background

Reducing Ca2+ content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through ryanodine receptors (RyRs) by calcin is a potential intervention strategy for the SR Ca2+ overload triggered by β-adrenergic stress in acute heart diseases.

Methods

OpiCal-PEG-PLGA nanomicelles were prepared by thin film dispersion, of which the antagonistic effects were observed using an acute heart failure model induced by epinephrine and caffeine in mice. In addition, cardiac targeting, self-stability as well as biotoxicity were determined.

Results

The synthesized OpiCa1-PEG-PLGA nanomicelles were elliptical with a particle size of 72.26 nm, a PDI value of 0.3, and a molecular weight of 10.39 kDa. The nanomicelles showed a significant antagonistic effect with 100 % survival rate to the death induced by epinephrine and caffeine, which was supported by echocardiography with significantly recovered heart rate, ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening rate. The FITC labeled nanomicelles had a strong membrance penetrating capacity within 2 h and cardiac targeting within 12 h that was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry with a self-prepared OpiCa1 polyclonal antibody. Meanwhile, the nanomicelles can keep better stability and dispersibility in vitro at 4 °C rather than 20 °C or 37 °C, while maintain a low but stable plasma OpiCa1 concentration in vivo within 72 h. Finally, no obvious biotoxicities were observed by CCK-8, flow cytometry, H&E staining and blood biochemical examinations.

Conclusion

Our study also provide a novel nanodelivery pathway for targeting RyRs and antagonizing the SR Ca2+ disordered heart diseases by actively releasing SR Ca2+ through RyRs with calcin.

Infliximab microencapsulation: an innovative approach for intra-articular administration of biologics in the management of rheumatoid arthritis-in vitro evaluation

Microencapsulation of the therapeutical monoclonal antibody infliximab (INF) was investigated as an innovative approach to improve its stability and to achieve formulations with convenient features for intra-articular administration. Ultrasonic atomization (UA), a novel alternative to microencapsulate labile drugs, was compared with the conventional emulsion/evaporation method (Em/Ev) using biodegradable polymers, specifically Polyactive® 1000PEOT70PBT30 [poly(ethylene-oxide-terephthalate)/poly(butylene-terephthalate); PEOT-PBT] and its polymeric blends with poly-(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) RG502 and RG503 (PEOT-PBT:PLGA; 65:35). Six different formulations of spherical core-shell microcapsules were successfully developed and characterized. The UA method achieved a significantly higher encapsulation efficiency (69.7-80.25%) than Em/Ev (17.3-23.0%). Mean particle size, strongly determined by the microencapsulation method and to a lesser extent by polymeric composition, ranged from 26.6 to 49.9 µm for UA and 1.5-2.1 µm for Em/Ev. All formulations demonstrated sustained INF release in vitro for up to 24 days, with release rates modulated by polymeric composition and microencapsulation technique. Both methods preserved INF biological activity, with microencapsulated INF showing higher efficacy than commercial formulations at comparable doses regarding bioactive tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) neutralization according to WEHI-13VAR bioassay. Microparticles' biocompatibility and extensive internalization by THP-1-derived macrophages was demonstrated. Furthermore, high in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was achieved after treatment of THP-1 cells with INF-loaded microcapsules, significatively reducing in vitro production of TNF-α and interleucine-6 (Il-6).

Enhancing Anticancer Efficacy of Formononetin Microspheres via Microfluidic Fabrication

Formononetin is a flavonoid compound with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its low solubility limits its clinical use. We employed microfluidic technology to prepare formononetin-loaded PLGA-PEGDA microspheres (Degradable polymer PLGA, Crosslinking agent PEGDA), which can encapsulate and release drugs in a controlled manner. We optimized and characterized the microspheres, and evaluated their antitumor effects. The microspheres had uniform size, high drug loading efficiency, high encapsulation efficiency, and stable release for 35 days. They also inhibited the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The antitumor mechanism involved the induction of reactive oxygen species and modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. These findings suggested that formononetin-loaded PLGA-PEGDA microspheres, created using microfluidic technology, could be a novel drug delivery system that can overcome the limitations of formononetin and enhance its antitumor activity.

HA-Coated PLGA Nanoparticles Loaded with Apigenin for Colon Cancer with High Expression of CD44

Apigenin (API) possesses excellent antitumor properties but its limited water solubility and low bioavailability restrict its therapeutic impact. Thus, a suitable delivery system is needed to overcome these limitations and improve the therapeutic efficiency. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a copolymer extensively utilized in drug delivery. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major extracellular matrix component and can specifically bind to CD44 on colon cancer cells. Herein, we aimed to prepare receptor-selective HA-coated PLGA nanoparticles (HA-PLGA-API-NPs) for colon cancers with high expression of CD44; chitosan (CS) was introduced into the system as an intermediate, simultaneously binding HA and PLGA through electrostatic interaction to facilitate a tighter connection between them. API was encapsulated in PLGA to obtain PLGA-API-NPs, which were then sequentially coated with CS and HA to form HA-PLGA-API-NPs. HA-PLGA-API-NPs had a stronger sustained-release capability. The cellular uptake of HA-PLGA-API-NPs was enhanced in HT-29 cells with high expression of CD44. In vivo, HA-PLGA-API-NPs showed enhanced targeting specificity towards the HT-29 ectopic tumor model in nude mice in comparison with PLGA-API-NPs. Overall, HA-PLGA-API-NPs were an effective drug delivery platform for API in the treatment of colon cancers with high expression of CD44.

Influence of drug molecular weight on self-assembly and intestinal permeation of polymer-based nanocarriers

For oral delivery, the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers are decisive factors for permeation through the intestinal epithelium. These properties are determined by the composition of the nanocarriers as well as by the process parameters during their self-assembly. For macromolecular drugs, there is still little understanding of the drug-polymer interactions during nanocarrier self-assembly and the effects on carrier properties. In this study, the effect of drug molecular weight on nanocarrier self-assembly, physicochemical properties of nanocarriers as well as their permeation across the intestinal epithelium was investigated. Our results show that the drug molecular weight impacts the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers. Further, the physicochemical properties of the nanocarriers, governed by the molecular weight of the drug, determine their permeation properties across the intestinal epithelium. Comparative in vitro and ex vivo studies revealed that intestinal absorption is dependent on both, the properties of the tissue as well as properties of the carrier system. In conclusion, the molecular weight of drug payload is a key factor determining the physiochemical properties of polymeric nanocarriers and is closely linked to their oral absorption. Using different preclinical models to evaluate intestinal permeation of nanocarriers allows for novel insights into key formulation properties governing oral bioavailability.

Application and development of nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor with a high incidence worldwide. Currently, there are a lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment methods for esophageal cancer. However, delivery systems based on nanoparticles (NPs) have shown ideal efficacy in real-time imaging and chemotherapy, radiotherapy, gene therapy, and phototherapy for tumors, which has led to their recent widespread design as novel treatment strategies. Compared to traditional drugs, nanomedicine has unique advantages, including strong targeting ability, high bioavailability, and minimal side effects. This article provides an overview of the application of NPs in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer and provides a reference for future research.

PLGA nanoparticles engineering extracellular vesicles from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates polyethylene particles induced periprosthetic osteolysis

The wear particle-induced dissolution of bone around implants is a significant pathological factor in aseptic loosening, and controlling prosthetic aseptic loosening holds crucial social significance. While human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (HucMSCs-Exos, Exos) have been found to effectively promote osteogenesis and angiogenesis, their role in periprosthetic osteolysis remains unexplored. To enhance their in vivo application, we engineered HucMSCs-Exos-encapsulated poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (PLGA-Exos). In our study, we demonstrate that PLGA-Exos stimulate osteogenic differentiation while inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent osteoclast differentiation in vitro. In vivo imaging revealed that PLGA-Exos released exosomes slowly and maintained a therapeutic concentration. Our in vivo experiments demonstrated that PLGA-Exos effectively suppressed osteolysis induced by polyethylene particles. These findings suggest that PLGA-Exos hold potential as a therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of periprosthetic osteolysis. Furthermore, they provide novel insights for the clinical management of osteolysis.

Vaccination with mycobacterial lipid loaded nanoparticle leads to lipid antigen persistence and memory differentiation of antigen-specific T cells

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection elicits both protein and lipid antigen-specific T cell responses. However, the incorporation of lipid antigens into subunit vaccine strategies and formulations has been underexplored, and the characteristics of vaccine-induced Mtb lipid-specific memory T cells have remained elusive. Mycolic acid (MA), a major lipid component of the Mtb cell wall, is presented by human CD1b molecules to unconventional T cell subsets. These MA-specific CD1b-restricted T cells have been detected in the blood and disease sites of Mtb-infected individuals, suggesting that MA is a promising lipid antigen for incorporation into multicomponent subunit vaccines. In this study, we utilized the enhanced stability of bicontinuous nanospheres (BCN) to efficiently encapsulate MA for in vivo delivery to MA-specific T cells, both alone and in combination with an immunodominant Mtb protein antigen (Ag85B). Pulmonary administration of MA-loaded BCN (MA-BCN) elicited MA-specific T cell responses in humanized CD1 transgenic mice. Simultaneous delivery of MA and Ag85B within BCN activated both MA- and Ag85B-specific T cells. Notably, pulmonary vaccination with MA-Ag85B-BCN resulted in the persistence of MA, but not Ag85B, within alveolar macrophages in the lung. Vaccination of MA-BCN through intravenous or subcutaneous route, or with attenuated Mtb likewise reproduced MA persistence. Moreover, MA-specific T cells in MA-BCN-vaccinated mice differentiated into a T follicular helper-like phenotype. Overall, the BCN platform allows for the dual encapsulation and in vivo activation of lipid and protein antigen-specific T cells and leads to persistent lipid depots that could offer long-lasting immune responses.

pH-Sensitive Nanoparticles for Colonic Delivery Anti-miR-301a in Mouse Models of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Though the anti-miR-301a (anti-miR) is a promising treatment strategy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the degradability and the poor targeting of the intestine are a familiar issue. This study aimed to develop a multifunctional oral nanoparticle delivery system loaded with anti-miR for improving the targeting ability and the therapeutic efficacy. The HA-CS/ES100/PLGA nanoparticles (HCeP NPs) were prepared using poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer (PLGA), enteric material Eudragit®S100 (ES100), chitosan (CS), and hyaluronic acid (HA). The toxicity of nanoparticles was investigated via the Cell Counting Kit-8, and the cellular uptake and inflammatory factors of nanoparticles were further studied. Moreover, we documented the colon targeting and pharmacodynamic properties of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles with uniform particle size exhibited pH-sensitive release, favorable gene protection, and storage stability. Cytology experiments showed that anti-miR@HCeP NPs improved the cellular uptake through HA and reduced pro-inflammatory factors. Administering anti-miR@HCeP NPs orally to IBD mice markedly reduced their pro-inflammatory factors levels and disease activity indices. We also confirmed that anti-miR@HCeP NPs mostly accumulated in the colon site, and effectively repaired the intestinal barrier, as well as relieved intestinal inflammation. The above nanoparticle is a candidate of the treatment for IBD due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

scFv biofunctionalized nanoparticles to effective and safe targeting of CEA-expressing colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with the 5 year survival rate in metastatic cases limited to 12%. The design of targeted and effective therapeutics remains a major unmet clinical need in CRC treatment. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a glycoprotein overexpressed in most colorectal tumors, may constitute a promising molecule for generating novel CEA-targeted therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment. Here, we developed a smart nanoplatform based on chemical conjugation of an anti-CEA single-chain variable fragment (scFv), MFE-23, with PLGA-PEG polymers to deliver the standard 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy to CRC cells. We confirmed the specificity of the developed CEA-targeted NPs on the internalization by CEA-expressing CRC cells, with an enhance of threefold in the cell uptake. Additionally, CEA-targeted NPs loaded with 5-FU induced higher cytotoxicity in CEA-expressing cells, after 24 h and 48 h of treatment, reinforcing the specificity of the targeted NPs. Lastly, the safety of CEA-targeted NPs loaded with 5-FU was evaluated in donor-isolated macrophages, with no relevant impact on their metabolic activity nor polarization. Altogether, this proof of concept supports the CEA-mediated internalization of targeted NPs as a promising chemotherapeutic strategy for further investigation in different CEA-associated cancers and respective metastatic sites.Authors: Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 1 Given name: [Maria José] Last name [Silveira]. Author 7 Given name: [Maria José] Last name [Oliveira]. Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correctokAffiliations: Please check and confirm that the authors and their respective affiliations have been correctly identified and amend if necessary.ok.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) delivery approaches in regenerative medicine

The utilization of growth factors in the process of tissue regeneration has garnered significant interest and has been the subject of extensive research. However, despite the fervent efforts invested in recent clinical trials, a considerable number of these studies have produced outcomes that are deemed unsatisfactory. It is noteworthy that the trials that have yielded the most satisfactory outcomes have exhibited a shared characteristic, namely, the existence of a mechanism for the regulated administration of growth factors. Despite the extensive exploration of drug delivery vehicles and their efficacy in delivering certain growth factors, the development of a reliable predictive approach for the delivery of delicate growth factors like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) remains elusive. VEGF plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis; however, the administration of VEGF demands a meticulous approach as it necessitates precise localization and transportation to a specific target tissue. This process requires prolonged and sustained exposure to a low concentration of VEGF. Inaccurate administration of drugs, either through off-target effects or inadequate delivery, may heighten the risk of adverse reactions and potentially result in tumorigenesis. At present, there is a scarcity of technologies available for the accurate encapsulation of VEGF and its subsequent sustained and controlled release. The objective of this review is to present and assess diverse categories of VEGF administration mechanisms. This paper examines various systems, including polymeric, liposomal, hydrogel, inorganic, polyplexes, and microfluidic, and evaluates the appropriate dosage of VEGF for multiple applications.

A Bone Targeting Nanoparticle Loaded OGP to Restore Bone Homeostasis for Osteoporosis Therapy

Restoring bone homeostasis is the key to the treatment of osteoporosis. How to increase osteogenic ability or inhibit osteoclast activity has always been a topic of great concern. In recent years, short peptides with biological activity have received great attention in bone repair. However, the application of short peptides is still limited due to the lack of a stable and targeted delivery system. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles modified by alendronate (AL) to transport osteogenic peptides (OGP) (AL-PLGA@P NPs) are designed. Benefiting from the high affinity of AL for hydroxyapatite, AL-PLGA@P NPs have the ability to target bone. In this delivery system, OGP that promotes osteogenesis synergizes with AL, which inhibits osteoclasts, to regulate bone homeostasis, which gives them more advantages in the treatment of osteoporosis. The data shows that nanoparticles can selectively deliver peptides to the bone surface without systemic toxicity. Moreover, nanoparticles can upregulate osteogenesis-related factors (ALP, Runx-2, and BMP2) and downregulate osteoclast-related factors (TRAP and CTSK) in vitro. With AL-PLGA@P NPs, bone microarchitecture and bone mass are improved in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats. Therefore, this study proposes a novel osteoporosis-based drug system that effectively improves bone density.

Mercuric chloride induced brain toxicity in mice: The protective effects of puerarin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles

Mercury is a toxic, environmentally heavy metal that can cause severe damage to all organs, including the nervous system. The functions of puerarin include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nerve cell repair, regulation of autophagy, and so forth. But because of the limited oral absorption of puerarin, it affects the protective effect on brain tissue. The nano-encapsulation of Pue can improve its limitation. Therefore, this study investigated the protective effect of Pue drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (Pue-PLGA-nps) on brain injury induced by mercuric chloride (HgCl2 ) in mice. The mice were divided into normal saline (NS) group, HgCl2 (4 mg/kg) group, Pue-PLGA-nps (50 mg/kg) group, HgCl2  + Pue (4 mg/kg + 30 mg/kg) group, and HgCl2  + Pue-PLGA-nps (4 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg) group. After 28 days of treatment, the mice were observed for behavioral changes, antioxidant capacity, autophagy and inflammatory response, and mercury levels in the brain, blood, and urine were measured. The results showed that HgCl2 toxicity caused learning and memory dysfunction in mice, increased mercury content in brain and blood, and increased serum levels of interleukin (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the mice. HgCl2 exposure decreased the activity of T-AOC, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and increased the expression of malondialdehyde in the brain of mice. Moreover, the expression levels of TRIM32, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and LC3 proteins were upregulated. Both Pue and Pue-PLGA-nps interventions mitigated the changes caused by HgCl2 exposure, and Pue-PLGA-nps further enhanced this effect. Our results suggest that Pue-PLGA-nps can ameliorate HgCl2 -induced brain injury and reduce Hg accumulation, which is associated with inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and TLR4/TRIM32/LC3 signaling pathway.

A review on PLGA particles as a sustained drug-delivery system and its effect on the retina

In this review, the designs and recent developments of polymer-based drug delivery of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) will be discussed for the possible treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PLGA is a versatile co-polymer that consists of synthetic lactic acid and glycolic acid monomers that are constructed to produce nanoparticles, microparticles, and scaffolds for the intraocular delivery of various drugs. As an FDA-approved polymer, PLGA has historically been well-suited for systemic slow-sustained release therapies due to its performance in biodegradability and biocompatibility. This review will examine recent in vitro and in vivo studies that provide evidence for PLGA-based particles as a therapeutic drug carrier for the treatment of AMD. Anti-angiogenic and antiproliferative effects of small peptides, small molecules, RNA molecules, and proteins within PLGA particles are briefly discussed. AMD is a leading cause of central vision loss in people over 55 years and the number of those afflicted will rise as the aging population increases. AMD has two forms that are often sequential. Dry AMD and wet AMD account for 85-90% and 10-15% of cases, respectively. The distinct categories of PLGA-based drug delivery vehicles are important for dispensing novel small molecules, RNA molecules, peptides, and proteins as a long-term effective treatment of AMD.

PLGA and PEG based porous microparticles as vehicles for pulmonary somatropin delivery

Breakthrough advances in protein therapeutics and sustained release systems continue to fuel innovation in novel, non-invasive polymeric platforms for delivery of biologicals. Despite the bench potential and proof-of-concept work, market analysis still shows biologicals to be predominantly injections. Characterized by insufficient secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a rare disorder. Currently, chronic somatropin (r-hGH) replacement therapy is only available as subcutaneous injections administered several times a week. We aim to prepare large, porous, biodegradable and aerodynamically light microparticles as tunable carriers for pulmonary r-hGH delivery. We developed a range of microparticles using PLGA 5050 1Awith sizes between 5 μm and 13 μm, densities lower than 0.4 g/cc and aerodynamic diameters lower than 6 μm. Polyethylene glycol's multitude of advantages - plasticizing PLGA, improving the biocompatibility of the system and preventing protein burst release - have been extensively studied, making it our excipient (pore-former) of choice. Drug loading was characterized at pH 4.0 (acidic), 5.3 (pI) and pH 7.2 (neutral) and was a result of an interplay of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between the polymer and somatropin. Considering the physicochemical interactions, we observed some pH dependent protein unfolding characterized by reduction in intrinsic fluorescence of the Tryptophan 86 residue at 331 nm. The secondary ⍺-helix structure characterized by 2 negative minima at 209 nm and 222 nm in the circular dichroism spectra, was intact at all pH values. R-hGH was released over a period of seven days, and the release profile was a function of the microparticle porosity.

Gout therapeutics and drug delivery

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis caused by persistently elevated uric acid levels. With the improvement of people's living standards, the consumption of processed food and the widespread use of drugs that induce elevated uric acid, gout rates are increasing, seriously affecting the human quality of life, and becoming a burden to health systems worldwide. Since the pathological mechanism of gout has been elucidated, there are relatively effective drug treatments in clinical practice. However, due to (bio)pharmaceutical shortcomings of these drugs, such as poor chemical stability and limited ability to target the pathophysiological pathways, traditional drug treatment strategies show low efficacy and safety. In this scenario, drug delivery systems (DDS) design that overcome these drawbacks is urgently called for. In this review, we initially describe the pathological features, the therapeutic targets, and the drugs currently in clinical use and under investigation to treat gout. We also comprehensively summarize recent research efforts utilizing lipid, polymeric and inorganic carriers to develop advanced DDS for improved gout management and therapy.

Current Challenges and Opportunities for Improved Cannabidiol Solubility

Cannabidiol (CBD), derived from the cannabis plant, has gained significant attention due to its potential therapeutic benefits. However, one of the challenges associated with CBD administration is its low bioavailability, which refers to the fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation. This limitation necessitates the exploration of various approaches to enhance the bioavailability of CBD, thus helping to maximize its therapeutic potential. A variety of approaches are now emerging, including nanoemulsion-based systems, lipid-based formulations, prodrugs, nanocarriers, and alternative routes of administration, which hold promise for improving the bioavailability of CBD and pave the way for novel formulations that maximize the therapeutic potential of CBD in various medical conditions. This opinion piece presents the current understanding surrounding CBD bioavailability and considers strategies aimed at improving both its absorption and its bioavailability.

Fabrication of PEG-PLGA Microparticles with Tunable Sizes for Controlled Drug Release Application

Polymeric microparticles of polyethyleneglycol-polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid (PEG-PLGA) are widely used as drug carriers for a variety of applications due to their unique characteristics. Although existing techniques for producing polymeric drug carriers offer the possibility of achieving greater production yield across a wide range of sizes, these methods are improbable to precisely tune particle size while upholding uniformity of particle size and morphology, ensuring consistent production yield, maintaining batch-to-batch reproducibility, and improving drug loading capacity. Herein, we developed a novel scalable method for the synthesis of tunable-sized microparticles with improved monodispersity and batch-to-batch reproducibility via the coaxial flow-phase separation technique. The study evaluated the effect of various process parameters on microparticle size and polydispersity, including polymer concentration, stirring rate, surfactant concentration, and the organic/aqueous phase flow rate and volume ratio. The results demonstrated that stirring rate and polymer concentration had the most significant impact on the mean particle size and distribution, whereas surfactant concentration had the most substantial impact on the morphology of particles. In addition to synthesizing microparticles of spherical morphology yielding particle sizes in the range of 5-50 µm across different formulations, we were able to also synthesize several microparticles exhibiting different morphologies and particle concentrations as a demonstration of the tunability and scalability of this method. Notably, by adjusting key determining process parameters, it was possible to achieve microparticle sizes in a comparable range (5-7 µm) for different formulations despite varying the concentration of polymer and volume of polymer solution in the organic phase by an order of magnitude. Finally, by the incorporation of fluorescent dyes as model hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, we further demonstrated how polymer amount influences drug loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics of these microparticles of comparable sizes. Our study provides a framework for fabricating both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drug-loaded microparticles and elucidates the interplay between fabrication parameters and the physicochemical properties of microparticles, thereby offering an itinerary for expanding the applicability of this method for producing polymeric microparticles with desirable characteristics for specific drug delivery applications.

Therapeutic Copolymer from Salicylic Acid and l-Phenylalanine as a Nanosized Drug Carrier for Orthotopic Breast Cancer with Lung Metastasis

Nanoparticle (NP)-mediated drug delivery systems are promising for treating various diseases. However, clinical translation has been delayed by a variety of limitations, such as weak drug loading, nonspecific drug leakage, lack of bioactivity, and short blood circulation. These issues are in part due to the unsatisfactory function of biomaterials for nanocarriers. In addition, the synthesis procedures of drug carrier materials, especially polymers, were usually complicated and led to high cost. In this report, a bioactive copolymer of hydroxy acid and amino acid, poly(salicylic acid-co-phenylalanine) (PSP), was developed for the first time via a one-step rapid and facile synthesis strategy. The PSP could self-assemble into NPs (PSP-NPs) to co-load relatively hydrophilic sphingosine kinase 1 inhibitor (PF543 in HCl salt format) and highly hydrophobic paclitaxel (PTX) to form PF543/PTX@PSP-NPs with efficient dual drug loading. Encouragingly, PF543/PTX@PSP-NPs showed long blood circulation, good stability, and high tumor accumulation, leading to significantly enhanced therapeutic effects on breast cancer. Furthermore, PF543/PTX@PSP-NPs could additionally suppress the lung metastasis of breast cancer, and more importantly, the PSP-NPs themselves as therapeutic nanocarriers also showed an anti-breast cancer effect. With these combined advantages, this new polymer and corresponding NPs will provide valuable insights into the development of new functional polymers and nanomedicines for important diseases.

In vitro performance of composition-equivalent PLGA microspheres encapsulating exenatide acetate by solvent evaporation

The once-weekly Bydureon® (Bdn) PLGA microsphere formulation encapsulating the GLP-1 receptor agonist, exenatide acetate, is an important complex injectable product prepared by coacervation for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients. Encapsulation by coacervation is useful to minimize an undesirable initial burst of exenatide, but it suffers from manufacturing difficulties such as process scale-up and batch-to-batch variations. Herein we prepared exenatide acetate-PLGA formulations of similar compositions using the desirable alternative double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. After screening several process variables, we varied the PLGA concentration, the hardening temperature, and the collected particle size range, and determined the resulting drug and sucrose loading, initial burst release, in vitro retention kinetics, and peptide degradation profiles using Bdn as a positive control. All formulations exhibited a triphasic release profile with a burst, lag, and rapid release phase, although the burst release was greatly decreased to <5% for some. Marked differences were observed in the peptide degradation profiles, particularly the oxidized and acylated fractions, when the polymer concentration was varied. For one optimal formulation, the release and peptide degradation profiles were similar to Bdn microspheres, albeit with an induction time shift of one week, likely due to the slightly higher Mw of PLGA in Bdn. These results highlight the effects of key manufacturing variables on drug release and stability in composition-equivalent microspheres encapsulating exenatide acetate and indicate the potential of manufacturing the microsphere component of Bdn by solvent evaporation.

Research progress of nanovaccine in anti-tumor immunotherapy

Tumor vaccines aim to activate dormant or unresponsive tumor-specific T lymphocytes by using tumor-specific or tumor-associated antigens, thus enhancing the body's natural defense against cancer. However, the effectiveness of tumor vaccines is limited by the presence of tumor heterogeneity, low immunogenicity, and immune evasion mechanisms. Fortunately, multifunctional nanoparticles offer a unique chance to address these issues. With the advantages of their small size, high stability, efficient drug delivery, and controlled surface chemistry, nanomaterials can precisely target tumor sites, improve the delivery of tumor antigens and immune adjuvants, reshape the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and enhance the body's anti-tumor immune response, resulting in improved efficacy and reduced side effects. Nanovaccine, a type of vaccine that uses nanotechnology to deliver antigens and adjuvants to immune cells, has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy due to its ability to stimulate immune responses and induce tumor-specific immunity. In this review, we discussed the compositions and types of nanovaccine, and the mechanisms behind their anti-tumor effects based on the latest research. We hope that this will provide a more scientific basis for designing tumor vaccines and enhancing the effectiveness of tumor immunotherapy.