Supramolecular Peptide Nanofiber/PLGA Nanocomposites for Enhancing Pulmonary Drug Delivery

A novel nanocomposite drug delivery system for SARS-CoV-2 infections

To develop an inhalable drug delivery system, we synthesized poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles with Remdesivir (RDV NPs) as an antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 replication and formulated Remdesivir-loaded nanocomposites (RDV NCs) via coating of RDV NPs with novel supramolecular cell-penetrating peptide nanofibers (NFs) to enhance cellular uptake and intracellular drug delivery. RDV NPs and RDV NCs were characterized using variou techniques, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and fluorescent microscopy. The cytotoxicity of RDV NCs was assessed in Vero E6 cells and primary human lung epithelial cells, with no significant cytotoxicity observed up to 1000 μg mL-1 and 48 h. RDV NCs were spherically shaped with a size range of 200-300 nm and a zeta potential of ∼+31 mV as well as indicating the presence of coated nanofibers. Reverse Transcription-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence and plaque assays of SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 treated with RDV NCs showed significantly higher antiviral activities compared to those of free drug and uncoated RDV NPs. RDV NCs exhibited high antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, and the nanocomposite platform has the potential to be developed into an inhalable drug delivery system for other viral infections in the lungs.

Pulmonary inhalation for disease treatment: Basic research and clinical translations

Pulmonary drug delivery has the advantages of being rapid, efficient, and well-targeted, with few systemic side effects. In addition, it is non-invasive and has good patient compliance, making it a highly promising drug delivery mode. However, there have been limited studies on drug delivery via pulmonary inhalation compared with oral and intravenous modes. This paper summarizes the basic research and clinical translation of pulmonary inhalation drug delivery for the treatment of diseases and provides insights into the latest advances in pulmonary drug delivery. The paper discusses the processing methods for pulmonary drug delivery, drug carriers (with a focus on various types of nanoparticles), delivery devices, and applications in pulmonary diseases and treatment of systemic diseases (e.g., COVID-19, inhaled vaccines, diagnosis of the diseases, and diabetes mellitus) with an updated summary of recent research advances. Furthermore, this paper describes the applications and recent progress in pulmonary drug delivery for lung diseases and expands the use of pulmonary drugs for other systemic diseases.

Platelet membrane-coated bio-nanoparticles of indocyanine green/elamipretide for NIR diagnosis and antioxidant therapy in acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a prevalent condition in critically ill patients that is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. As the lack of effective early diagnosis methods often delays AKI treatment, there is currently no definitive clinical intervention available. In this study, we aimed to address these challenges by developing a nano-system called Platelet membranes-ICG-SS31-PLGA (PISP), which was designed to selectively target to the kidney site, taking advantage of the natural tendency of platelets to accumulate at sites of vascular injury. This approach allowed for the accumulation of PISP within the kidney as the disease progresses. By incorporating ICG, the in vivo distribution of PISP can be observed for NIR diagnosis of AKI. This non-invasive imaging technique holds great promise for early detection and monitoring of AKI. Furthermore, Elamipretide (SS31) acts as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that protects against mitochondrial damage and reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. The combination of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities within a single nano-system makes the PISP approach a valuable tool for addressing AKI. This intervention helps to prevent the deterioration of AKI and promotes the recovery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE.

Material and Design Toolkit for Drug Delivery: State of the Art, Trends, and Challenges

The nanomaterial and related toolkit have promising applications for improving human health and well-being. Nanobased drug delivery systems use nanoscale materials as carriers to deliver therapeutic agents in a targeted and controlled manner, and they have shown potential to address issues associated with conventional drug delivery systems. They offer benefits for treating various illnesses by encapsulating or conjugating biological agents, chemotherapeutic drugs, and immunotherapeutic agents. The potential applications of this technology are vast; however, significant challenges exist to overcome such as safety issues, toxicity, efficacy, and insufficient capacity. This article discusses the latest developments in drug delivery systems, including drug release mechanisms, material toolkits, related design molecules, and parameters. The concluding section examines the limitations and provides insights into future possibilities.