Methylene blue-filled biodegradable polymer particles as a contrast agent for optical coherence tomography

Transient triplet differential-based photoacoustic lifetime imaging with an automatic interleaved data acquisition method for improved scanning speed and stability

Transient triplet differential (TTD) based photoacoustic lifetime (PALT) imaging provides valuable means for background-free molecular imaging and mapping of the oxygen partial pressure (pO₂) in deep tissues. However, the broad application of this method is hindered by its long scanning time, poor accuracy, and low stability. This is mainly because most PALT systems execute the three data acquisition sequences separately without automatic control and neglect the long-time fluctuation of the laser output. In this work, we have proposed a novel automatic interleaved data acquisition method for PALT. This new method not only improved the scanning efficiency but also eliminated the long-time fluctuations of laser pulse energy. Results show that this new method can significantly improve the system's stability and help reduce the scanning time. With this new method, we obtained the 3D background-free TTD images for the first time. We also observed distinct hypoxia inside the tumor due to the high metabolic rate of cancer cells, demonstrating the high reliability of our proposed method. The proposed method in this work can significantly promote the application of PALT imaging in biomedical studies.

Molecular Contrast Optical Coherence Tomography and Its Applications in Medicine

The growing need to understand the molecular mechanisms of diseases has prompted the revolution in molecular imaging techniques along with nanomedicine development. Conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a low-cost in vivo imaging modality that provides unique high spatial and temporal resolution anatomic images but little molecular information. However, given the widespread adoption of OCT in research and clinical practice, its robust molecular imaging extensions are strongly desired to combine with anatomical images. A range of relevant approaches has been reported already. In this article, we review the recent advances of molecular contrast OCT imaging techniques, the corresponding contrast agents, especially the nanoparticle-based ones, and their applications. We also summarize the properties, design criteria, merit, and demerit of those contrast agents. In the end, the prospects and challenges for further research and development in this field are outlined.

Development and Characterization of PLGA-Based Multistage Delivery System for Enhanced Payload Delivery to Targeted Vascular Endothelium

Vascular-targeted drug delivery remains an attractive platform for therapeutic and diagnostic interventions in human diseases. This work focuses on the development of a poly-lactic-co-glycolic-acid (PLGA)-based multistage delivery system (MDS). MDS consists of two stages: a micron-sized PLGA outer shell and encapsulated drug-loaded PLGA nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with average diameters of 76, 119, and 193 nm are successfully encapsulated into 3-6 µm MDS. Sustained in vitro release of nanoparticles from MDS is observed for up to 7 days. Both MDS and nanoparticles arebiocompatible with human endothelial cells. Sialyl-Lewis-A (sLe^A ) is successfully immobilized on the MDS and nanoparticle surfaces to enable specific targeting of inflamed endothelium. Functionalized MDS demonstrates a 2.7-fold improvement in endothelial binding compared to PLGA nanoparticles from human blood laminar flow. Overall, the presented results demonstrate successful development and characterization of MDS and suggest that MDS can serve as an effective drug carrier, which can enhance the margination of nanoparticles to the targeted vascular wall.

Use of Biodegradable, Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 24 million people worldwide and represents an immense medical, social and economic burden. While a vast array of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is available for the prevention and possibly treatment of AD, applicability is limited by the selective nature of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as well as by their severe peripheral side effects. A promising solution to these problems is the incorporation of anti-Alzheimer drugs in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). However, while several polymeric NPs are nontoxic and biocompatible, many of them are not biodegradable and thus not appropriate for CNS-targeting. Among polymeric nanocarriers, chitosan-based NPs emerge as biodegradable yet stable vehicles for the delivery of CNS medications. Furthermore, due to their mucoadhesive character and intrinsic bioactivity, chitosan NPs can not only promote brain penetration of drugs via the olfactory route, but also act as anti-Alzheimer therapeutics themselves. Here we review how chitosan-based NPs could be used to address current challenges in the treatment of AD; with a specific focus on the enhancement of blood-brain barrier penetration of anti-Alzheimer drugs and on the reduction of their peripheral side effects.