Orally Administrable Therapeutic Synthetic Nanoparticle for Zika Virus

Nanotechnology's frontier in combatting infectious and inflammatory diseases: prevention and treatment

Inflammation-associated diseases encompass a range of infectious diseases and non-infectious inflammatory diseases, which continuously pose one of the most serious threats to human health, attributed to factors such as the emergence of new pathogens, increasing drug resistance, changes in living environments and lifestyles, and the aging population. Despite rapid advancements in mechanistic research and drug development for these diseases, current treatments often have limited efficacy and notable side effects, necessitating the development of more effective and targeted anti-inflammatory therapies. In recent years, the rapid development of nanotechnology has provided crucial technological support for the prevention, treatment, and detection of inflammation-associated diseases. Various types of nanoparticles (NPs) play significant roles, serving as vaccine vehicles to enhance immunogenicity and as drug carriers to improve targeting and bioavailability. NPs can also directly combat pathogens and inflammation. In addition, nanotechnology has facilitated the development of biosensors for pathogen detection and imaging techniques for inflammatory diseases. This review categorizes and characterizes different types of NPs, summarizes their applications in the prevention, treatment, and detection of infectious and inflammatory diseases. It also discusses the challenges associated with clinical translation in this field and explores the latest developments and prospects. In conclusion, nanotechnology opens up new possibilities for the comprehensive management of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Heat Stress-Induced Fetal Intrauterine Growth Restriction Is Associated with Elevated LPS Levels Along the Maternal Intestine-Placenta-Fetus Axis in Pregnant Mice

The exacerbation of the greenhouse effect has made heat stress (HS) an important risk factor for the occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The experiment aims to uncover the effects of maternal HS on IUGR and its mechanisms. The results showed that HS leads to decreased maternal and fetal birth weights, accompanied by increased serum oxidative stress and cortisol levels. Moreover, HS inflicted significant damage to both the intestinal and placental barriers, altering maternal gut microbiota and increasing intestinal LPS levels. As a result, LPS levels increased in maternal serum, placenta, and fetus. Furthermore, HS damaged the intestinal structure, intensifying inflammation and disrupting the redox balance. The placenta exposed to HS exhibited changes in the placental structure along with disrupted angiogenesis and decreased levels of nutritional transporters. Additionally, the leakage of LPS triggered placental JNK and ERK phosphorylation, ultimately inducing severe placental inflammation and oxidative stress. This study suggests that LPS translocation from the maternal intestine to the fetus, due to a disrupted gut microbiota balance and compromised intestinal and placental barrier integrity, may be the primary cause of HS-induced IUGR. Furthermore, increased LPS leakage leads to placental inflammation, redox imbalance, and impaired nutrient transport, further restricting fetal growth.

Engineering nano-cellulose bio-composites to improve protein delivery for oral vaccination

Oral vaccine is a non-invasive, ideal way to protect communities from infectious diseases. Effective vaccine delivery systems are required to enhance vaccine absorption in the small intestine and its cellular uptake by immune cells. Here, we constructed alginate/chitosan-coated cellulose nanocrystal (Alg-Chi-CNC) and nanofibril (Alg-Chi-CNF) nanocomposites to enhance ovalbumin (OVA) delivery in the intestine. In vitro mucosal permeation and diffusion and cellular uptake demonstrated that Chi-CNC exhibited better cellular uptake in epithelial and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In vivo results revealed that alginate/chitosan-coated nanocellulose nanocomposites generated strong systemic and mucosal immune responses. Though the features of functional nano-cellulose composites affected mucus permeation and APC uptakes, in vivo specific-OVA immune responses have not shown significant differences due to the complexity of the small intestine.

Ameliorating the antiparasitic activity of the multifaceted drug ivermectin through a polymer nanocapsule formulation

Ivermectin (IVM) is a potent antiparasitic widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, the low oral bioavailability of IVM restricts its therapeutic potential in many parasitic infections, highlighting the need for novel formulation approaches. In this study, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocapsules containing IVM were successfully developed using the nanoprecipitation method. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) was used as an oily core in the developed nanocapsules. Previously, PSO was chemically analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). The solubility of IVM in PSO was found to be 4,266.5 ± 38.6 μg/mL. In addition, the partition coefficient of IVM in PSO/water presented a logP of 2.44. A number of nanocapsule batches were produced by factorial design resulting in an optimized formulation. Negatively charged nanocapsules measuring around 400 nm demonstrated unimodal size distribution, and presented regular spherical morphology under transmission electron microscopy. High encapsulation efficiency (98-100%) was determined by HPLC. IVM-loaded capsules were found to be stable in nanosuspensions at 4°C and 25°C, with no significant variations in particle size observed over a period of 150 days. Nanoencapsulated IVM (0.3 mM) presented reduced toxicity to J774 macrophages and L929 fibroblasts compared to free IVM. Moreover, IVM-loaded nanocapsules also demonstrated enhanced in vitro anthelmintic activity against Strongyloides venezuelensis in comparison to free IVM. Collectively, the present findings demonstrate the promising potential of PCL-PSO nanocapsules to improve the antiparasitic effects exerted by IVM.

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.

Nanonitrator: novel enhancer of inorganic nitrate’s protective effects, predicated on swarm learning approach

Inorganic nitrate is an indispensable nutrient that has been used in experimental studies for the prevention and treatment of several diseases. However, the short half-life of nitrate limits its clinical application. To increase the usability of nitrate and overcome the challenges of traditional combination drug discovery through large-scale high-throughput biological experiments, we developed a swarm learning-based combination drug prediction system that identified vitamin C as the drug of choice to be combined with nitrate. Employing microencapsulation technology, we used vitamin C, sodium nitrate, and chitosan 3000 as the core materials to prepare a nitrate nanoparticle, which we named Nanonitrator. The long-circulating delivery ability of nitrate by Nanonitrator significantly increased the efficacy and effect duration of nitrate in irradiation-induced salivary gland injury, without compromising safety. Nanonitrator at the same dose could better maintain intracellular homeostasis than nitrate (with or without vitamin C), emphasizing its potential for clinical use. More importantly, our work provides a method for incorporating inorganic compounds into sustained-release nanoparticles.

Self-Therapeutic Nanomaterials: Applications in Biology and Medicine

Over past decades, nanotechnology has contributed to the biomedical field in areas including detection, diagnosis, and drug delivery via opto-electronic properties or enhancement of biological effects. Though generally considered inert delivery vehicles, a plethora of past and present evidence demonstrates that nanomaterials also exude unique intrinsic biological activity based on composition, shape, and surface functionalization. These intrinsic biological activities, termed self-therapeutic properties, take several forms, including mediation of cell-cell interactions, modulation of interactions between biomolecules, catalytic amplification of biochemical reactions, and alteration of biological signal transduction events. Moreover, study of biomolecule-nanomaterial interactions offers a promising avenue for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of biology and the evolution of disease. In this review, we observe the historical development, synthesis, and characterization of self-therapeutic nanomaterials. Next, we discuss nanomaterial interactions with biological systems, starting with administration and concluding with elimination. Finally, we apply this materials perspective to advances in intrinsic nanotherapies across the biomedical field, from cancer therapy to treatment of microbial infections and tissue regeneration. We conclude with a description of self-therapeutic nanomaterials in clinical trials and share our perspective on the direction of the field in upcoming years.

Antiviral role of nanomaterials: a material scientist's perspective

The present world continues to face unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaboration between researchers of multiple disciplines is the need of the hour. There is a need to develop antiviral agents capable of inhibiting viruses and tailoring existing antiviral drugs for efficient delivery to prevent a surge in deaths caused by viruses globally. Biocompatible systems have been designed using nanotechnological principles which showed appreciable results against a wide range of viruses. Many nanoparticles can act as antiviral therapeutic agents if synthesized by the correct approach. Moreover, nanoparticles can act as carriers of antiviral drugs while overcoming their inherent drawbacks such as low solubility, poor bioavailability, uncontrolled release, and side effects. This review highlights the potential of nanomaterials in antiviral applications by discussing various studies and their results regarding antiviral potential of nanoparticles while also suggesting future directions to researchers.

Biomaterial-targeted precision nanoparticle delivery to the injured spinal cord

Drug delivery requires precision in timing, location, and dosage to achieve therapeutic benefits. Challenges in addressing all three of these critical criteria result in poor temporal dexterity, widespread accumulation and off-target effects, and high doses with the potential for toxicity. To address these challenges, we have developed the BiomatErial Accumulating Carriers for On-demand Nanotherapy (BEACON) platform that utilizes an implantable biomaterial to serve as a target for systemically delivered nanoparticles (NPs). With the BEACON system, administered NPs are conjugated with a ligand that has high affinity for a receptor in the implanted biomaterial. To test BEACON, an in vivo spinal cord injury (SCI) model was used as it provides an injury model where the three identified criteria can be tested as it is a dynamic and complicated injury model with no currently approved therapies. Through our work, we have demonstrated temporal dexterity in NP administration by injecting 6 days post-SCI, decreased off-target accumulation with a significant drop in liver accumulation, and retention of our NPs in the target biomaterial. The BEACON system can be applied broadly, beyond the nervous system, to improve systemically delivered NP accumulation at an implanted biomaterial target. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Targeted drug delivery approaches have the potential to improve therapeutic regimens for patients on a case-by-case basis. Improved localization of a therapeutic to site of interest can result in increased efficacy and limit the need for repeat dosing. Unfortunately, targeted strategies can fall short when receptors on cells or tissues are too widespread or change over the course of disease or injury progression. The BEACON system developed herein eliminates the need to target a cell or tissue receptor by targeting an implantable biomaterial with location-controllable accumulation and sustained presentation over time. The targeting paradigm presented by BEACON is widely applicable throughout tissue engineering and regenerative medicine without the need to retool for each new application.

An overview on nanoparticle-based strategies to fight viral infections with a focus on COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to COVID-19 and has become a pandemic worldwide with mortality of millions. Nanotechnology can be used to deliver antiviral medicines or other types of viral reproduction-inhibiting medications. At various steps of viral infection, nanotechnology could suggest practical solutions for usage in the fight against viral infection. Nanotechnology-based approaches can help in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nanoparticles can play an essential role in progressing SARS-CoV-2 treatment and vaccine production in efficacy and safety. Nanocarriers have increased the speed of vaccine development and the efficiency of vaccines. As a result, the increased investigation into nanoparticles as nano-delivery systems and nanotherapeutics in viral infection, and the development of new and effective methods are essential for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this article, we compare the attributes of several nanoparticles and evaluate their capability to create novel vaccines and treatment methods against different types of viral diseases, especially the SARS-CoV-2 disease.

Sparking Nano-Metals on a Surface of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Its Application: Anti-Coronavirus and Anti-Fogging Properties

The nano-metal-treated PET films with anti-virus and anti-fogging ability were developed using sparking nano-metal particles of Ag, Zn, and Ti wires on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. Ag nanoparticles were detected on the PET surface, while a continuous aggregate morphology was observed with Zn and Ti sparking. The color of the Ag-PET films changed to brown with increasing repeat sparking times, but not with the Zn-PET and Ti-PET films. The water contact angle of the nano-metal-treated PET films decreased with increasing repeat sparking times. The RT-PCR anti-virus test confirmed the high anti-virus efficiency of the nano-metal-treated PET films due to the fine particle distribution, high polarity, and binding of the nano-metal ions to the coronavirus, which was destroyed by heat after UV irradiation. A highly transparent, anti-fogging, and anti-virus face shield was prepared using the Zn-PET film. Sparking was an effective technique to prepare the alternative anti-virus and anti-fogging films for medical biomaterial applications because of their low cost, convenience, and fast processing.

Ivermectin: recent approaches in the design of novel veterinary and human medicines

Ivermectin (IVM) is a drug widely used in veterinary and human medicine for the management of parasitic diseases. Its repositioning potential has been recently considered for the treatment of different diseases, such as cancer and viral infections. However, IVM faces some limitations to its formulations due to its low water solubility and bioavailability, along with reports of drug resistance. In this sense, novel technological approaches have been explored to optimize its formulations and/or to develop innovative medicines. Therefore, this review discusses the strategies proposed in the last decade to improve the safety and efficacy of IVM and to explore its novel therapeutic applications. Among these technologies, the use of micro/nano-drug delivery systems is the most used approach, followed by long-acting formulations. In general, the development of these novel formulations seems to run side by side in veterinary and human health, showing a shared interface between the two areas. Although the technologies proposed indicate a promising future in the development of innovative dosage forms containing IVM, its safety and therapeutic targets must be further evaluated. Overall, these approaches comprise tailoring drug delivery profiles, decreasing the risks of developing drug resistance, and supporting the application of IVM for reaching different therapeutic targets.

COVID-19: Consequences on pregnant women and neonates

Introduction

Human species is confronting with a gigantic global COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, it was observed in Wuhan, China, and the COVID-19 cases spread across the globe with lightning speed and resulted in the 21st century pandemic. If scientific reports are taken care of, it is noteworthy that this virus possesses more specific characteristics due to its structure. The distinctive structure has a higher binding affinity with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) protein, and this is used as an access point to gain access to hosts.

Methods

A complete literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, SciFinder, and deep-diving Google Search using keywords such as "Pregnancy, COVID-19, Newborn, Fetus, Coronavirus 2019, Neonate, Pregnant women, and vertical transmission".

Result and discussion

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is unlike its former analogs: SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV in 2002 and 2012, respectively, or anything mankind has faced earlier concerning viciousness, global spread, and gravity of a causative agent. The current review has delved into articles published in various journals worldwide including the latest studies on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and neonates and has discussed complications and challenges, psychological health, immunological response, vertical transmission, concurrent disorders, vaccine debate, management recommendations, recent news of the approval of COVID-19 vaccine for 6 months and older babies, and future perspectives.

Dietary supplementation with nanoparticle CMCS-20a enhances the resistance to GCRV infection in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Combination of antimicrobial proteins and nanomaterials provides a platform for the development of immunopotentiators. Oral administration of immunopotentiators can significantly enhance the immunity of organisms, which provides ideas for disease prevention. In this study, we confirmed that nanoparticles CMCS-20a can efficiently prevent grass carp reovirus (GCRV) infection. Firstly, we verified that CiCXCL20a is involved in the immune responses post GCRV challenge in vivo and alleviates the cell death post GCRV challenge in CIK cells. Then, we prepared nanoparticles CMCS-20a using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) loaded with grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) CXCL20a (CiCXCL20a). Meanwhile, we confirmed nanoparticles CMCS-20a can alleviate the degradation in intestine. Subsequently, we added it to the feed by low temperature vacuum drying method and high temperature spray drying method, respectively. Grass carp were oral administration for 28 days and challenged by GCRV. Low temperature vacuum drying group (LD-CMCS-20a) significantly improve grass carp survival rate, but not high temperature spray drying group (HD-CMCS-20a). To reveal the mechanisms, we investigated the serum biochemical indexes, intestinal mucus barrier, immune gene regulation and tissue damage. The complement component 3 content, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities are highest in LD-CMCS-20a group. LD-CMCS-20a effectively attenuates the damage of GCRV to the number of intestinal villous goblet cells and mucin thickness. LD-CMCS-20a effectively regulates mRNA expressions of immune genes (IFN1, Mx2, Gig1 and IgM) in spleen and head kidney tissues. In addition, LD-CMCS-20a obviously alleviate tissue lesions and viral load in spleen. These results indicated that the nanoparticles CMCS-20a can enhance the disease resistance of fish by improving their immunity, which provides a new perspective for fish to prevent viral infections.

Transformation of Amphiphilic Antiviral Drugs into New Dimensional Nanovesicles Structures

Improved techniques were applied to formulate drugs into dimensional nanostructures, doped "nanovesicles". These nanovesicles are solely composed of self-assembled amphiphilic antiviral agents used for the treatment of viral infections caused by flaviviruses, such as Zika virus. Studies were done to evaluate the effectiveness of the syntheses, formation, and performance under different experimental conditions, and behavior of the drug nanovesicles in vitro and in vivo. These studies demonstrated that assembling the hydrophobic antiviral drug molecules into nanodrugs is a successful technique for the delivery of the therapeutic agents, otherwise difficult to be supplied. Our studies confirmed that this nanodrug preserved and, in many cases, enhanced the embedded cellular activity of the parental free drug molecules, both in vitro and in vivo. This proposed formulation is highly important as it addresses the issue of insolubility and low bioavailabiity of a wide range of highly potent pharmaceutical drugs-not limited to a specific class of antiviral drugs-that are of high demand for the treatment of medical conditions and emerging pathogens.

Red blood cell-hitchhiking mediated pulmonary delivery of ivermectin: Effects of nanoparticle properties

Recent studies have demonstrated that ivermectin (IVM) exhibits antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative virus of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the repurposing of IVM for the treatment of COVID-19 has presented challenges primarily due to the low IVM plasma concentration after oral administration, which was well below IC₅₀. Here, a red blood cell (RBC)-hitchhiking strategy was used for the targeted delivery of IVM-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) to the lung. IVM-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs (IVM-PNPs) and chitosan-coating IVM-PNPs (IVM-CSPNPs) were prepared and adsorbed onto RBCs. Both RBC-hitchhiked IVM-PNPs and IVM-CSPNPs could significantly enhance IVM delivery to lungs, improve IVM accumulation in lung tissue, inhibit the inflammatory responses and finally significantly alleviate the progression of acute lung injury. Specifically, the redistribution and circulation effects were related to the properties of NPs. RBC-hitchhiked cationic IVM-CSPNPs showed a longer circulation time, slower accumulation and elimination rates, and higher anti-inflammatory activities than RBC-hitchhiked anionic IVM-PNPs. Therefore, RBC-hitchhiking provides an alternative strategy to improve IVM pharmacokinetics and bioavailability for repurposing of IVM to treat COVID-19. Furthermore, according to different redistribution effects of different NPs, RBC-hitchhiked NPs may achieve various accumulation rates and circulation times for different requirements of drug delivery.

Intersection of Inorganic Chemistry and Nanotechnology for the Creation of New Cancer Therapies

Since its discovery in 1965, the inorganic drug cisplatin has become a mainstay of cancer therapies and has inspired many platinum (Pt)-based compounds to solve various issues of toxicity and limitations associated with the original cisplatin. However, many of these drugs/prodrugs continue to be plagued by an array of side effects, limited circulation, and half-life and off-target effects. To solve this issue, we have constructed an array of platinum-based prodrugs on a Pt(IV) skeleton, which provides more favorable geometry and hydrophobicity, easier functionalization, and ultimately better targeting abilities. Each of these Pt(IV) prodrugs aims to either combine cisplatin with other agents for a combination therapeutic effect or improve the targeting of cisplatin itself, all for the more effective treatment of specific cancers. Our developed prodrugs include Platin-A, which combines cisplatin with the anti-inflammatory agent aspirin, Platin-M, which is functionalized with a mitochondria-targeting moiety, and Platin-B and Platin-Cbl, which combine cisplatin with components to combat cellular resistance to chemotherapy. At the same time, however, we recognize the crucial role of nanotechnology in improving the efficacy of cisplatin prodrugs and other inorganic compounds for the treatment of cancers. We describe several key benefits provided by nanomedicine that vastly improve the reach and utility of cisplatin prodrugs, including the ability of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver these agents with precision to the mitochondria, transport drugs across the blood-brain barrier, and target cisplatin prodrugs to specific cancers using various ligands. In addition, we highlight our progress in the engineering of innovative new polymers to improve the release patterns, pharmacokinetics, and dosages of cancer therapies. In this Account, we aim to describe the growing need for collaboration between the fields of inorganic chemistry and nanotechnology and how new advancements can not only improve on traditional chemotherapeutic agents but also expand their reach to entirely new subsets of cancers. In addition to detailing the design and principles behind our modifications of cisplatin and the efficacy of these new prodrugs against aggressive, cisplatin-resistant, or metastatic cancers, we also shed light on nanotechnology's essential role in protecting inorganic drugs and the human body from one another for more effective disease treatment without the off-target effects with which it is normally associated. We hope that this perspective into the important intersection between inorganic medicinal chemistry and nanotechnology will inspire future research on cisplatin prodrugs and other inorganic agents, innovative polymer and NP design, and the ways in which these two fields can greatly advance cancer treatment.

The Amyloid-β1-42-oligomer interacting peptide D-AIP possesses favorable biostability, pharmacokinetics, and brain region distribution

We have previously developed a unique 8-amino acid Aβ42 oligomer-Interacting Peptide (AIP) as a novel anti-amyloid strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Our lead candidate has successfully progressed from test tubes (i.e., in vitro characterization of protease-resistant D-AIP) to transgenic flies (i.e., in vivo rescue of human Aβ42-mediated toxicity via D-AIP-supplemented food). In the present study, we examined D-AIP in terms of its stability in multiple biological matrices (i.e., ex-vivo mouse plasma, whole blood, and liver S9 fractions) using MALDI mass spectrometry, pharmacokinetics using a rapid and sensitive LC-MS method, and blood brain barrier (BBB) penetrance in WT C57LB/6 mice. D-AIP was found to be relatively stable over 3 h at 37 °C in all matrices tested. Finally, label-free MALDI imaging showed that orally administered D-AIP can readily penetrate the intact BBB in both male and female WT mice. Based upon the favorable stability, pharmacokinetics, and BBB penetration outcomes for orally administered D-AIP in WT mice, we then examined the effect of D-AIP on amyloid “seeding” in vitro (i.e., freshly monomerized versus preaggregated Aβ42). Complementary biophysical assays (ThT, TEM, and MALDI-TOF MS) showed that D-AIP can directly interact with synthetic Aβ42 aggregates to disrupt primary and/or secondary seeding events. Taken together, the unique mechanistic and desired therapeutic potential of our lead D-AIP candidate warrants further investigation, that is, testing of D-AIP efficacy on the altered amyloid/tau pathology in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.

Nanoparticle approaches against SARS-CoV-2 infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become the worst pandemic disease of the current millennium. To address this crisis, therapeutic nanoparticles, including inorganic nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, virus-like nanoparticles, and cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, have all offered compelling antiviral strategies. This article reviews these strategies in three categories: (1) nanoparticle-enabled detection of SARS-CoV-2, (2) nanoparticle-based treatment for COVID-19, and (3) nanoparticle vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. We discuss how nanoparticles are tailor-made to biointerface with the host and the virus in each category. For each nanoparticle design, we highlight its structure-function relationship that enables effective antiviral activity. Overall, nanoparticles bring numerous new opportunities to improve our response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and enhance our preparedness for future viral outbreaks.

Neonatal Fc receptor-targeted lignin-encapsulated porous silicon nanoparticles for enhanced cellular interactions and insulin permeation across the intestinal epithelium

Oral insulin delivery could change the life of millions of diabetic patients as an effective, safe, easy-to-use, and affordable alternative to insulin injections, known by an inherently thwarted patient compliance. Here, we designed a multistage nanoparticle (NP) system capable of circumventing the biological barriers that lead to poor drug absorption and bioavailability after oral administration. The nanosystem consists of an insulin-loaded porous silicon NP encapsulated into a pH-responsive lignin matrix, and surface-functionalized with the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G, which acts as a targeting ligand for the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). The developed NPs presented small size (211 ± 1 nm) and narrow size distribution. The NPs remained intact in stomach and intestinal pH conditions, releasing the drug exclusively at pH 7.4, which mimics blood circulation. This formulation showed to be highly cytocompatible, and surface plasmon resonance studies demonstrated that FcRn-targeted NPs present higher capacity to interact and being internalized by the Caco-2 cells, which express FcRn, as demonstrated by Western blot. Ultimately, in vitro permeability studies showed that Fc-functionalized NPs induced an increase in the amount of insulin that permeated across a Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-culture model, showing apparent permeability coefficients (P_app) of 2.37 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s, over the 1.66 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s observed for their non-functionalized counterparts. Overall, these results demonstrate the potential of these NPs for oral delivery of anti-diabetic drugs.

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Multistage nanoparticle (NP) system targeted for the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) aimed at oral insulin delivery.

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NPs released insulin under precisely controlled pH conditions.

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FcRn expression in the cell culture model used was demonstrated by Western blot.

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FcRn-targeted NPs presented higher capacity to interact with the intestinal cells.

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Increased insulin permeation was obtained when using Fc-functionalized NPs.

Drug delivery systems as immunomodulators for therapy of infectious disease: Relevance to COVID-19

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, and the ensuing global pandemic, has resulted in an unprecedented response to identify therapies that can limit uncontrolled inflammation observed in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. The immune pathology behind COVID-19 is complex and involves the activation and interaction of multiple systems including, but not limited to, complement, inflammasomes, endothelial as well as innate and adaptive immune cells to bring about a convoluted profile of inflammation, coagulation and tissue damage. To date, therapeutic approaches have focussed on inhibition of coagulation, untargeted immune suppression and/or cytokine-directed blocking agents. Regardless of recently achieved improvements in individual patient outcomes and survival rates, improved and focussed approaches targeting individual systems involved is needed to further improve prognosis and wellbeing. This review summarizes the current understanding of molecular and cellular systems involved in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, and their contribution to pathogen clearance and damage to then discuss possible therapeutic options involving immunomodulatory drug delivery systems as well as summarising the complex interplay between them.

Blending of Designer Synthetic Polymers to a Dual Targeted Nanoformulation for SARS-CoV-2 Associated Kidney Damage

As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to spread, studies have shown that hospitalized COVID-19 patients are at significant risk for developing acute kidney injury (AKI), which can cause increased morbidity, the need for dialysis treatment, chronic kidney diseases, and even death. In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept study for the utilization of combination therapeutic-loaded dual-targeted biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) to treat concurrent AKI and COVID-19 in patients by delivering the therapeutics across the gut epithelial barrier and to the kidney, in order to lower the viral load as well as reduce the symptoms of AKI. Despite recent vaccination efforts and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, problems related to the long-term effects of COVID-19 will continue to persist, including impacts on patients suffering from AKI and other chronic renal conditions. Therefore, the dual-targeted blended polymeric NP developed in this study to treat concurrent COVID-19 infection and AKI is a useful proof-of-concept nanoplatform for future treatments of these complications.

Inhalable nanocatchers for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition

The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants are more transmissible, which brings new challenges to vaccine treatment. There is an urgent global need for alternative strategies that could effectively and rapidly prevent the infection of various SARS-CoV-2 variants. Herein, we design human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2)–containing nanocatchers (NCs) derived from genetically engineered cells stably expressing hACE2 as the competitor with host cells for virus binding to protect cells from SARS-CoV-2 infection. An inhalable formulation fabricated by NCs and the mucoadhesive excipient hyaluronic acid could significantly prolong the retention of NCs in the lung and exhibits potent pseudovirus inhibition ability in an hACE2-expressing mouse model. Importantly, the inhalable NCs in the lyophilized formulation allow long-term storage, facilitating their future clinical use.

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)–like coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), presents an urgent health crisis. More recently, an increasing number of mutated strains of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified globally. Such mutations, especially those on the spike glycoprotein to render its higher binding affinity to human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) receptors, not only resulted in higher transmission of SARS-CoV-2 but also raised serious concerns regarding the efficacies of vaccines against mutated viruses. Since ACE2 is the virus-binding protein on human cells regardless of viral mutations, we design hACE2-containing nanocatchers (NCs) as the competitor with host cells for virus binding to protect cells from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The hACE2-containing NCs, derived from the cellular membrane of genetically engineered cells stably expressing hACE2, exhibited excellent neutralization ability against pseudoviruses of both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the D614G variant. To prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections in the lung, the most vulnerable organ for COVID-19, we develop an inhalable formulation by mixing hACE2-containing NCs with mucoadhesive excipient hyaluronic acid, the latter of which could significantly prolong the retention of NCs in the lung after inhalation. Excitingly, inhalation of our formulation could lead to potent pseudovirus inhibition ability in hACE2-expressing mouse model, without imposing any appreciable side effects. Importantly, our inhalable hACE2-containing NCs in the lyophilized formulation would allow long-term storage, facilitating their future clinical use. Thus, this work may provide an alternative tactic to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infections even with different mutations, exhibiting great potential for treatment of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

COVID-19 and Ivermectin: Potential threats associated with human use

Drugs re-purposing due to COVID-19 virus has declared a number of useful candidates for treatment and prevention of the virus. Ivermectin (IVM) has gained much popularity due to a strong background of magical applications against a broad spectrum of pathogens. The in- vitro studies of ivermectin have shown promise, the thorough clinical trials of its efficacy in the treatment and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 are still warranted. Useful strategies for analyzing projected use of IVM in human coronaviruses might be developed. It may be done by concluding ongoing clinical trials and culturing lessons from IVM usage in veterinary practice. The potential toxicity and careful dosage analyses are urgently required before declaring it as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidate. This manuscript overviews the background and potential threats associated with the off-label use of IVM as prophylactic drug or treatment option against COVID-19 virus.

Nanotechnology for virus treatment

The continued emergence of novel viruses poses a significant threat to global health. Uncontrolled outbreaks can result in pandemics that have the potential to overburden our healthcare and economic systems. While vaccination is a conventional modality that can be employed to promote herd immunity, antiviral vaccines can only be applied prophylactically and do little to help patients who have already contracted viral infections. During the early stages of a disease outbreak when vaccines are unavailable, therapeutic antiviral drugs can be used as a stopgap solution. However, these treatments do not always work against emerging viral strains and can be accompanied by adverse effects that sometimes outweigh the benefits. Nanotechnology has the potential to overcome many of the challenges facing current antiviral therapies. For example, nanodelivery vehicles can be employed to drastically improve the pharmacokinetic profile of antiviral drugs while reducing their systemic toxicity. Other unique nanomaterials can be leveraged for their virucidal or virus-neutralizing properties. In this review, we discuss recent developments in antiviral nanotherapeutics and provide a perspective on the application of nanotechnology to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and future virus pandemics.

Harnessing biomaterials for therapeutic strategies against COVID-19

With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the world is experiencing a profound human health crisis. The number of infections and deaths due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to increase every minute, pinpointing major shortcomings in our ability to prevent viral outbreaks. Although several COVID-19 vaccines have been recently approved for emergency use, therapeutic options remain limited, and their long-term potency has yet to be validated. Biomaterials science has a pivotal role to play in pushing the boundaries of emerging technologies for antiviral research and treatment. In this perspective, we discuss how biomaterials can be harnessed to develop accurate COVID-19 infection models, enhance antiviral drug delivery, foster new antiviral strategies, and boost vaccine efficacy. These efforts will not only contribute to stop or mitigate the current pandemic but will also provide unorthodox platforms to understand, prevent, and protect us from future viral outbreaks.

Clinically Approved Antiviral Drug in an Orally Administrable Nanoparticle for COVID-19

There is urgent therapeutic need for COVID-19, a disease for which there are currently no widely effective approved treatments and the emergency use authorized drugs do not result in significant and widespread patient improvement. The food and drug administration-approved drug ivermectin has long been shown to be both antihelmintic agent and a potent inhibitor of viruses such as Yellow Fever Virus. In this study, we highlight the potential of ivermectin packaged in an orally administrable nanoparticle that could serve as a vehicle to deliver a more potent therapeutic antiviral dose and demonstrate its efficacy to decrease expression of viral spike protein and its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), both of which are keys to lowering disease transmission rates. We also report that the targeted nanoparticle delivered ivermectin is able to inhibit the nuclear transport activities mediated through proteins such as importin α/β1 heterodimer as a possible mechanism of action. This study sheds light on ivermectin-loaded, orally administrable, biodegradable nanoparticles to be a potential treatment option for the novel coronavirus through a multilevel inhibition. As both ACE2 targeting and the presence of spike protein are features shared among this class of virus, this platform technology has the potential to serve as a therapeutic tool not only for COVID-19 but for other coronavirus strains as well.

Clinically Approved Antiviral Drug in an Orally Administrable Nanoparticle for COVID-19

There is urgent therapeutic need for COVID-19, a disease for which there are currently no widely effective approved treatments and the emergency use authorized drugs do not result in significant and widespread patient improvement. The food and drug administration-approved drug ivermectin has long been shown to be both antihelmintic agent and a potent inhibitor of viruses such as Yellow Fever Virus. In this study, we highlight the potential of ivermectin packaged in an orally administrable nanoparticle that could serve as a vehicle to deliver a more potent therapeutic antiviral dose and demonstrate its efficacy to decrease expression of viral spike protein and its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), both of which are keys to lowering disease transmission rates. We also report that the targeted nanoparticle delivered ivermectin is able to inhibit the nuclear transport activities mediated through proteins such as importin α/β1 heterodimer as a possible mechanism of action. This study sheds light on ivermectin-loaded, orally administrable, biodegradable nanoparticles to be a potential treatment option for the novel coronavirus through a multilevel inhibition. As both ACE2 targeting and the presence of spike protein are features shared among this class of virus, this platform technology has the potential to serve as a therapeutic tool not only for COVID-19 but for other coronavirus strains as well.

Ivermectin: an award-winning drug with expected antiviral activity against COVID-19

Ivermectin is an FDA-approved broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent with demonstrated antiviral activity against a number of DNA and RNA viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite this promise, the antiviral activity of ivermectin has not been consistently proven in vivo. While ivermectin's activity against SARS-CoV-2 is currently under investigation in patients, insufficient emphasis has been placed on formulation challenges. Here, we discuss challenges surrounding the use of ivermectin in the context of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and how novel formulations employing micro- and nanotechnologies may address these concerns.

An overview of functional nanoparticles as novel emerging antiviral therapeutic agents

Research on highly effective antiviral drugs is essential for preventing the spread of infections and reducing losses. Recently, many functional nanoparticles have been shown to possess remarkable antiviral ability, such as quantum dots, gold and silver nanoparticles, nanoclusters, carbon dots, graphene oxide, silicon materials, polymers and dendrimers. Despite their difference in antiviral mechanism and inhibition efficacy, these functional nanoparticles-based structures have unique features as potential antiviral candidates. In this topical review, we highlight the antiviral efficacy and mechanism of these nanoparticles. Specifically, we introduce various methods for analyzing the viricidal activity of functional nanoparticles and the latest advances in antiviral functional nanoparticles. Furthermore, we systematically describe the advantages and disadvantages of these functional nanoparticles in viricidal applications. Finally, we discuss the challenges and prospects of antiviral nanostructures. This topic review covers 132 papers and will enrich our knowledge about the antiviral efficacy and mechanism of various functional nanoparticles.

Ivermectin: a systematic review from antiviral effects to COVID-19 complementary regimen

Ivermectin proposes many potentials effects to treat a range of diseases, with its antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-cancer properties as a wonder drug. It is highly effective against many microorganisms including some viruses. In this comprehensive systematic review, antiviral effects of ivermectin are summarized including in vitro and in vivo studies over the past 50 years. Several studies reported antiviral effects of ivermectin on RNA viruses such as Zika, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, Hendra, Newcastle, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, chikungunya, Semliki Forest, Sindbis, Avian influenza A, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Furthermore, there are some studies showing antiviral effects of ivermectin against DNA viruses such as Equine herpes type 1, BK polyomavirus, pseudorabies, porcine circovirus 2, and bovine herpesvirus 1. Ivermectin plays a role in several biological mechanisms, therefore it could serve as a potential candidate in the treatment of a wide range of viruses including COVID-19 as well as other types of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. In vivo studies of animal models revealed a broad range of antiviral effects of ivermectin, however, clinical trials are necessary to appraise the potential efficacy of ivermectin in clinical setting.