Fe65-engineered neuronal exosomes encapsulating corynoxine-B ameliorate cognition and pathology of Alzheimer's disease

Research Progress on the Strategies for Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier

Recently, the incidence of brain diseases, such as central nervous system degenerative diseases, brain tumors, and cerebrovascular diseases, has increased. However, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the effective delivery of drugs to brain disease areas. Therefore, the mainstream direction of new drug development for these diseases is to engineer drugs that can better cross the BBB to exert their effects in the brain. This paper reviews the research progress and application of the main trans-BBB drug delivery strategies (receptor/transporter-mediated BBB crossing, focused ultrasound to open the BBB, adenosine agonist reversible opening of the BBB, aromatic resuscitation, transnasal administration, cell-mediated trans-BBB crossing, and viral vector system-mediated brain drug delivery). Meanwhile, the potential applications, advantages, and disadvantages of these strategies for crossing the BBB are analyzed. Finally, the future development prospects of strategies for crossing the BBB are also discussed. These strategies have potential value for treating brain diseases.

Exosome-based drug delivery systems for enhanced neurological therapeutics

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles naturally secreted by cells into body fluids, enriched with bioactive molecules such as RNAs, proteins, and lipids. These nanosized vesicles play a crucial role in physiological and pathological processes by facilitating intercellular communication and modulating cellular responses, particularly within the central nervous system (CNS). Their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and reflect the characteristics of their parent cells makes exosomal cargo a promising candidate for biomarkers in the early diagnosis and clinical assessment of neurological conditions. This review offers a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on the characterization of mammalian-derived exosomes, their application as drug delivery systems for neurological disorders, and ongoing clinical trials involving exosome-loaded cargo. Despite their promising attributes, a significant challenge remains the lack of standardized isolation methods, as current techniques are often complex, costly, and require sophisticated equipment, affecting the scalability and affordability of exosome-based therapies. The review highlights the engineering potential of exosomes, emphasizing their ability to be customized for targeted therapeutic delivery through surface modification or conjugation. Future advancements in addressing these challenges and leveraging the unique properties of exosomes could lead to innovative and effective therapeutic strategies in neurology.

Potential of Exosomes as Multifunctional Nanocarriers for Targeted Drug Delivery

Exosomes are small vesicles that form when multivesicular bodies fuse with the plasma membrane and are released into body fluids. They play a vital role in facilitating communication between cells by transferring different biomolecules, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids, over both short and long distances. They also function as vital mediators in both states of health and disease, exerting an impact on several physiological processes. Exosomes have been modified to overcome the limitations of natural exosomes to enhance their potential as carriers for drug delivery systems, and these modifications aim to improve the drug delivery efficiency, enhance tissue and organ targeting, and prolong the circulating half-life of exosomes. This review discussed recent advancements in exosome nanotechnology, as well as the progression and use of exosomes for drug delivery. The potential commercialisation and challenges associated with the use of exosome-based drug delivery systems were also discussed, aiming to motivate the development of exosome-based theranostic nanoplatforms and nanotechnology for improved healthcare treatments.

Long Noncoding RNA NR_030777 Alleviates Cobalt Nanoparticles-Induced Neurodegenerative Damage by Promoting Autophagosome-Lysosome Fusion

Potential exposure to cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) occurs in various fields, including hard alloy industrial production, the increasing use of new energy lithium-ion batteries, and millions of patients with metal-on-metal joint prostheses. Evidence from human, animal, and in vitro experiments suggests a close relationship between CoNPs and neurotoxicity. However, a systematic assessment of central nervous system (CNS) impairment due to CoNPs exposure and the underlying molecular mechanisms is lacking. In this study, we found that CoNPs induced neurodegenerative damage both in vivo and in vitro, including cognitive impairment, β-amyloid deposition and Tau hyperphosphorylation. CoNPs promoted the formation of autophagosomes and impeding autophagosomal-lysosomal fusion in vivo and in vitro, leading to toxic protein accumulation. Moreover, CoNPs exposure reduced the level of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and the abundance of lysosome, causing a blockage in autophagosomal-lysosomal fusion. Interestingly, overexpression of long noncoding RNA NR_030777 mitigated CoNPs-induced neurodegenerative damage in both in vivo and in vitro models. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay revealed that NR_030777 directly binds and stabilizes TFEB mRNA, alleviating the blockage of autophagosomal-lysosomal fusion and ultimately restoring neurodegeneration induced by CoNPs in vivo and in vitro. In summary, our study demonstrates that autophagic dysfunction is the main toxic mechanism of neurodegeneration upon CoNPs exposure and NR_030777 plays a crucial role in CoNPs-induced autophagic dysfunction. Additionally, the proposed adverse outcome pathway contributes to a better understanding of CNS toxicity assessment of CoNPs.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells: crucial players in respiratory function and airway-nerve communication

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) are unique airway epithelial cells that blend neuronal and endocrine functions, acting as key sensors in the lung. They respond to environmental stimuli like allergens by releasing neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. PNECs stand out as the only lung epithelial cells innervated by neurons, suggesting a significant role in airway-nerve communication via direct neural pathways and hormone release. Pathological conditions such as asthma are linked to increased PNECs counts and elevated calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) production, which may affect neuroprotection and brain function. CGRP is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, potentially due to its influence on inflammation and cholinergic activity. Despite their low numbers, PNECs are crucial for a wide range of functions, highlighting the importance of further research. Advances in technology for producing and culturing human PNECs enable the exploration of new mechanisms and cell-specific responses to targeted therapies for PNEC-focused treatments.

Molecular engineering of a theranostic molecule that detects Aβ plaques, inhibits Iowa and Dutch mutation Aβ self-aggregation and promotes lysosomal biogenesis for Alzheimer's disease

Extracellular clustering of amyloid-β (Aβ) and an impaired autophagy lysosomal pathway (ALP) are the hallmark features in the early stages of incurable Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is a pressing need to find or develop new small molecules for diagnostics and therapeutics for the early stages of AD. Herein, we report a small molecule, namely F-SLCOOH, which can bind and detect Aβ1-42, Iowa mutation Aβ, Dutch mutation Aβ fibrils and oligomers exhibiting enhanced emission with high affinity. Importantly, F-SLCOOH can readily pass through the blood-brain barrier and shows highly selective binding toward the extracellular Aβ aggregates in real-time in live animal imaging of a 5XFAD mice model. In addition, a high concentration of F-SLCOOH in both brain and plasma of wildtype mice after intraperitoneal administration was found. The ex vivo confocal imaging of hippocampal brain slices indicated excellent colocalization of F-SLCOOH with Aβ positive NU1, 4G8, 6E10 A11 antibodies and THS staining dye, affirming its excellent Aβ specificity and targetability. The molecular docking studies have provided insight into the unique and specific binding of F-SLCOOH with various Aβ species. Importantly, F-SLCOOH exhibits remarkable anti-fibrillation properties against toxic Aβ aggregate formation of Aβ1-42, Iowa mutation Aβ, and Dutch mutation Aβ. F-SLCOOH treatment also exerts high neuroprotective functions and promotes autophagy lysosomal biogenesis in neuronal AD cell models. In summary, the present results suggest that F-SLCOOH is a highly promising theranostic agent for diagnosis and therapeutics of AD.

Recent progress in engineered extracellular vesicles and their biomedical applications

AIMS

To present the recent update on the isolation, engineering techniques for extracellular vesicles, limitations associated with different isolation techniques, different biomedical applications, and challenges of engineered extracellular vesicles for the benefit of researchers from academic, industry, etc. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peer-reviewed articles from most recognized journals were collected, and presented information was analyzed to discuss collection, chemical, electroporation, cellular, and membrane surface engineering to design extracellular vesicles for various therapeutic applications. In addition, we present the applications and limitations of techniques for the collection of extracellular vesicles.

KEY FINDINGS

There is a need for isolation techniques with the gold standard. However, advanced extracellular vesicle isolation techniques showed improved recovery, and purity of extracellular vesicles. Tumor therapy is a major part of the therapy section that illustrates the role of engineered extracellular vesicles in synergetic therapy such as phototherapy, theragnostic, and delivery of genetic materials. In addition, extracellular vesicles have shown their potential in the treatment of retinal disorders, neurodegenerative disease, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, inflammatory bowel disease, vaccine production, and wound healing.

SIGNIFICANCE

Engineered extracellular vesicles can deliver cargo to the specific cells, elicit an immune response and could be used for the development of the vaccines in the future. However, the progress is at the initial stage. Overall, this review will provide a comprehensive understanding and could serve as a reference for researchers in the clinical translation of engineered extracellular vesicles in different biomedical fields.

Composition, functions, and applications of exosomal membrane proteins

Exosomes play a crucial role in various biological processes, such as human development, immune responses, and disease occurrence. The membrane proteins on exosomes are pivotal factors for their biological functionality. Currently, numerous membrane proteins have been identified on exosome membranes, participating in intercellular communication, mediating target cell recognition, and regulating immune processes. Furthermore, membrane proteins from exosomes derived from cancer cells can serve as relevant biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis. This article provides a comprehensive review of the composition of exosome membrane proteins and their diverse functions in the organism's biological processes. Through in-depth exploration of exosome membrane proteins, it is expected to offer essential foundations for the future development of novel biomedical diagnostics and therapies.

The beneficial pharmacological effects of Uncaria rhynchophylla in neurodegenerative diseases: focus on alkaloids

With the intensification of aging population, the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, has drawn more and more attention. As a long used traditional Chinese medicine, Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks., named Gouteng in Chinese, has been reported to have an effective neuroprotective role in neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, the beneficial pharmacological effects and signaling pathways of herbal formulas containing U. rhynchophylla, especially major compounds identified from U. rhynchophylla, such as corynoxine B, corynoxine, rhynchophylline, and isorhynchophylline, in neurodegenerative diseases, were summarized, which not only provide an overview of U. rhynchophylla for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases but also give some perspective to the development of new drugs from traditional Chinese medicine.

Engineered exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for septic cardiomyopathy

Septic cardiomyopathy, a life-threatening complication of sepsis, can cause acute heart failure and carry a high mortality risk. Current treatments have limitations. Fortunately, engineered exosomes, created through bioengineering technology, may represent a potential new treatment method. These exosomes can both diagnose and treat septic cardiomyopathy, playing a crucial role in its development and progression. This article examines the strategies for using engineered exosomes to protect cardiac function and treat septic cardiomyopathy. It covers three innovative aspects: exosome surface modification technology, the use of exosomes as a multifunctional drug delivery platform, and plant exosome-like nanoparticle carriers. The article highlights the ability of exosomes to deliver small molecules, proteins, and drugs, summarizing several RNA molecules, proteins, and drugs beneficial for treating septic cardiomyopathy. Although engineered exosomes are a promising biotherapeutic carrier, they face challenges in clinical application, such as understanding the interaction mechanism with host cells, distribution within the body, metabolism, and long-term safety. Further research is essential, but engineered exosomes hold promise as an effective treatment for septic cardiomyopathy.

Extracellular vesicles as nanotheranostic platforms for targeted neurological disorder interventions

Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders represent a profound public health challenge that affects millions of people around the world. Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) exemplify the complexities and diversities that complicate their early detection and the development of effective treatments. Amid these challenges, the emergence of nanotechnology and extracellular vesicles (EVs) signals a new dawn for treating and diagnosing CNS ailments. EVs are cellularly derived lipid bilayer nanosized particles that are pivotal in intercellular communication within the CNS and have the potential to revolutionize targeted therapeutic delivery and the identification of novel biomarkers. Integrating EVs with nanotechnology amplifies their diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, opening new avenues for managing CNS diseases. This review focuses on examining the fascinating interplay between EVs and nanotechnology in CNS theranostics. Through highlighting the remarkable advancements and unique methodologies, we aim to offer valuable perspectives on how these approaches can bring about a revolutionary change in disease management. The objective is to harness the distinctive attributes of EVs and nanotechnology to forge personalized, efficient interventions for CNS disorders, thereby providing a beacon of hope for affected individuals. In short, the confluence of EVs and nanotechnology heralds a promising frontier for targeted and impactful treatments against CNS diseases, which continue to pose significant public health challenges. By focusing on personalized and powerful diagnostic and therapeutic methods, we might improve the quality of patients.

Key developments and hotspots of exosomes in Alzheimer's disease: a bibliometric study spanning 2003 to 2023

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative illness of the central nervous system that is irreversible and is characterized by gradual behavioral impairment and cognitive dysfunction. Researches on exosomes in AD have gradually gained the attention of scholars in recent years. However, the literatures in this research area do not yet have a comprehensive visualization analysis. The aim of this work is to use bibliometrics to identify the knowledge constructs and investigate the research frontiers and hotspots related to exosomes in AD.

Methods

From January 2003 until June 2023, we searched the Web of Science Core Collection for literature on exosomes in AD. We found 585 papers total. The bibliometric study was completed using VOSviewer, the R package "bibliometrix," and CiteSpace. The analysis covered nations, institutions, authors, journals, and keywords.

Results

Following 2019, the articles on exosomes in AD increased significantly year by year. The vast majority of publications came from China and the US. The University of California System, the National Institutes of Health, and the NIH National Institute on Aging in the US were the primary research institutions. Goetzl Edward J. was frequently co-cited, while Kapogiannis Dimitrios was the most prolific author in this discipline with the greatest number of articles. Lee Mijung et al. have been prominent in the last two years in exosomes in AD. The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease was the most widely read publication, and Alzheimers & Dementia had the highest impact factor. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, and Journal of Alzheimer's Disease were the three journals with more than 1,000 citations. The primary emphasis of this field was Alzheimer's disease, exosomes, and extracellular vesicles; since 2017, the number of phrases pertaining to the role of exosomes in AD pathogenesis has increased annually. "Identification of preclinical Alzheimer's disease by a profile of pathogenic proteins in neurally derived blood exosomes: a case-control study" was the reference with the greatest citing power, indicating the future steered direction in this field.

Conclusion

Using bibliometrics, we have compiled the research progress and tendencies on exosomes in Alzheimer's disease for the first time. This helps determine the objectives and paths for future study.

Aspartame Causes Developmental Defects and Teratogenicity in Zebra Fish Embryo: Role of Impaired SIRT1/FOXO3a Axis in Neuron Cells

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, is present in many food products and beverages worldwide. It has been linked to potential neurotoxicity and developmental defects. However, its teratogenic effect on embryonic development and the underlying potential mechanisms need to be elucidated. We investigated the concentration- and time-dependent effects of aspartame on zebrafish development and teratogenicity. We focused on the role of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and Forkhead-box transcription factor (FOXO), two proteins that play key roles in neurodevelopment. It was found that aspartame exposure reduced the formation of larvae and the development of cartilage in zebrafish. It also delayed post-fertilization development by altering the head length and locomotor behavior of zebrafish. RNA-sequencing-based DEG analysis showed that SIRT1 and FOXO3a are involved in neurodevelopment. In silico and in vitro analyses showed that aspartame could target and reduce the expression of SIRT1 and FOXO3a proteins in neuron cells. Additionally, aspartame triggered the reduction of autophagy flux by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of SIRT1 in neuronal cells. The findings suggest that aspartame can cause developmental defects and teratogenicity in zebrafish embryos and reduce autophagy by impairing the SIRT1/FOXO3a axis in neuron cells.

Exploring contemporary breakthroughs in utilizing vesicular nanocarriers for breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease with various morphological features, clinicopathological conditions and responses to different therapeutic options, which is responsible for high mortality and morbidity in women. The heterogeneity of BC necessitates new strategies for diagnosis and treatment, which is possible only by cautious harmonization of the advanced nanomaterials. Recent developments in vesicular nanocarrier therapy indicate a paradigm shift in breast cancer treatment by providing an integrated approach to address current issues. This review provides a detailed classification of various nanovesicles in the treatment of BC with a special emphasis on recent advances, challenges in translating nanomaterials and future potentials.

Recent advances in extracellular vesicles for therapeutic cargo delivery

Exosomes, which are nanosized vesicles secreted by cells, are attracting increasing interest in the field of biomedical research due to their unique properties, including biocompatibility, cargo loading capacity, and deep tissue penetration. They serve as natural signaling agents in intercellular communication, and their inherent ability to carry proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids endows them with remarkable therapeutic potential. Thus, exosomes can be exploited for diverse therapeutic applications, including chemotherapy, gene therapy, and photothermal therapy. Moreover, their capacity for homotypic targeting and self-recognition provides opportunities for personalized medicine. Despite their advantages as novel therapeutic agents, there are several challenges in optimizing cargo loading efficiency and structural stability and in defining exosome origins. Future research should include the development of large-scale, quality-controllable production methods, the refinement of drug loading strategies, and extensive in vivo studies and clinical trials. Despite the unresolved difficulties, the use of exosomes as efficient, stable, and safe therapeutic delivery systems is an interesting area in biomedical research. Therefore, this review describes exosomes and summarizes cutting-edge studies published in high-impact journals that have introduced novel or enhanced therapeutic effects using exosomes as a drug delivery system in the past 2 years. We provide an informative overview of the current state of exosome research, highlighting the unique properties and therapeutic applications of exosomes. We also emphasize challenges and future directions, underscoring the importance of addressing key issues in the field. With this review, we encourage researchers to further develop exosome-based drugs for clinical application, as such drugs may be among the most promising next-generation therapeutics.

Exosomes: potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders

The field of neuropsychiatry is considered a middle ground between neurological and psychiatric disorders, thereby bridging the conventional boundaries between matter and mind, consciousness, and function. Neuropsychiatry aims to evaluate and treat cognitive, behavioral, and emotional disorders in individuals with neurological conditions. However, the pathophysiology of these disorders is not yet fully understood, and objective biological indicators for these conditions are currently lacking. Treatment options are also limited due to the blood-brain barrier, which results in poor treatment effects. Additionally, many drugs, particularly antipsychotic drugs, have adverse reactions, which make them difficult to tolerate for patients. As a result, patients often abandon treatment owing to these adverse reactions. Since the discovery of exosomes in 1983, they have been extensively studied in various diseases owing to their potential as nanocellulators for information exchange between cells. Because exosomes can freely travel between the center and periphery, brain-derived exosomes can reflect the state of the brain, which has considerable advantages in diagnosis and treatment. In addition, administration of engineered exosomes can improve therapeutic efficacy, allow lesion targeting, ensure drug stability, and prevent systemic adverse effects. Therefore, this article reviews the source and biological function of exosomes, relationship between exosomes and the blood-brain barrier, relationship between exosomes and the pathological mechanism of neuropsychiatric disorders, exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, and application of engineered exosomes in neuropsychiatric disorders.