A Simple Drug Delivery System for Platelet-Derived Bioactive Molecules, to Improve Melanocyte Stimulation in Vitiligo Treatment

Recent trends in the treatment of vitiligo using novel drug delivery system

Vitiligo is a complex dermatological disorder involving the loss of melanocytes, with resultant patches of depigmentation. It affects 1% of the world population, affecting patients' mental health and quality of life. With all the improvement seen, conventional treatment methods-steroids, phototherapy, and immunomodulators-come with the limitations of being less effective, having more side effects, and low compliance. Advances in novel drug delivery systems now provide promising alternatives for better therapy. The general view of the pathophysiology of vitiligo is provided in this manuscript, mainly on oxidative stress, autoimmune mechanisms, and melanocyte apoptosis as chief factors. New approaches towards treatment, especially drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and hydrogels are discussed. These systems can facilitate the improvement of stability, penetration, and targeted delivery of drugs, thus reducing systemic exposure to adverse effects. There is also a potential improvement in microneedles, transdermal patches, and gene therapy like CRISPR-Cas9 to correct pigmentation by correcting the underlying factors at the cellular and molecular level. Other novel therapies include Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors and cell-based approaches, among them melanocyte-keratinocyte transplantation, which may have the potential to give sustained repigmentation. The article also deals with the role of phytoconstituents, like curcumin, quercetin, and ginkgo biloba, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, thus it can be a natural adjuvant to conventional treatment. The multidisciplinary approach may be necessary in the incorporation of pharmacological advances along with new delivery systems into an enhancement strategy of treatments of vitiligo. This approach corrects some of the traditional weaknesses and taps emerging technologies for an even better treatment approach, patient oriented. Follow-up studies should then be directed toward clinical trials for the substantiation of such observations and treatment regimens for more universal applications.

PRP significantly promotes the adhesion and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells on stent material

BACKGROUND

The adhesion and survival state of cells on scaffold material is a major problem in tissue-engineered blood vessel (TEBV) culture. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a large amount of biologically active factors and fibrin, which is expected to play an important role in TEBV culture.

PURPOSE

To combine PRP with cells and scaffold material to promote cell adhesion and biological activity on the scaffold material.

METHODS

The adhesion status and migration of SMCs under the optimal concentration suitable for SMC growth and the optimal concentration of PRP were examined by scanning electron microscopy, HE staining, CCK-8 assays, qPCR, WB, and other experimental methods and compared with those under the conventional culture (20% FBS); finally, the effect of PRP on the deposition of ECM in vascular tissue engineering culture was verified by three-dimensional culture.

RESULTS

PRP at 20% is a suitable concentration for SMCs. Compared with the control group, the 20% PRP group had better migration, and the number of SMC adhesions was significantly higher than that of the control group. In addition, collagen deposition in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group.

CONCLUSION

PRP (20%) can promote SMC adhesion, migration, and collagen deposition on the scaffold material.

Evolving Trends in Nanofibers for Topical Delivery of Therapeutics in Skin Disorders

Nanotechnology has yielded nanostructure-based drug delivery approaches, among which nanofibers have been explored and researched for the potential topical delivery of therapeutics. Nanofibers are filaments or thread-like structures in the nanometer size range that are fabricated using various polymers, such as natural or synthetic polymers or their combination. The size or diameter of the nanofibers depends upon the polymers, the techniques of preparation, and the design specification. The four major processing techniques, phase separation, self-assembly, template synthesis, and electrospinning, are most commonly used for the fabrication of nanofibers. Nanofibers have a unique structure that needs a multimethod approach to study their morphology and characterization parameters. They are gaining attention as drug delivery carriers, and the substantially vast surface area of the skin makes it a potentially promising strategy for topical drug products for various skin disorders such as psoriasis, skin cancers, skin wounds, bacterial and fungal infections, etc. However, the large-scale production of nanofibers with desired properties remains challenging, as the widely used electrospinning processes have certain limitations, such as poor yield, use of high voltage, and difficulty in achieving in situ nanofiber deposition on various substrates. This review highlights the insights into fabrication strategies, applications, recent clinical trials, and patents of nanofibers for different skin disorders in detail. Additionally, it discusses case studies of its effective utilization in the treatment of various skin disorders for a better understanding for readers.

Nanofiber Carriers of Therapeutic Load: Current Trends

The fast advancement in nanotechnology has prompted the improvement of numerous methods for the creation of various nanoscale composites of which nanofibers have gotten extensive consideration. Nanofibers are polymeric/composite fibers which have a nanoscale diameter. They vary in porous structure and have an extensive area. Material choice is of crucial importance for the assembly of nanofibers and their function as efficient drug and biomedicine carriers. A broad scope of active pharmaceutical ingredients can be incorporated within the nanofibers or bound to their surface. The ability to deliver small molecular drugs such as antibiotics or anticancer medications, proteins, peptides, cells, DNA and RNAs has led to the biomedical application in disease therapy and tissue engineering. Although nanofibers have shown incredible potential for drug and biomedicine applications, there are still difficulties which should be resolved before they can be utilized in clinical practice. This review intends to give an outline of the recent advances in nanofibers, contemplating the preparation methods, the therapeutic loading and release and the various therapeutic applications.

Advances in Electrospun Hybrid Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications

Electrospun hybrid nanofibers, based on functional agents immobilized in polymeric matrix, possess a unique combination of collective properties. These are beneficial for a wide range of applications, which include theranostics, filtration, catalysis, and tissue engineering, among others. The combination of functional agents in a nanofiber matrix offer accessibility to multifunctional nanocompartments with significantly improved mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties, along with better biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review summarizes recent work performed for the fabrication, characterization, and optimization of different hybrid nanofibers containing varieties of functional agents, such as laser ablated inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), which include, for instance, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and titanium nitride nanoparticles (TiNPs), perovskites, drugs, growth factors, and smart, inorganic polymers. Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers such as chitosan, cellulose, and polycaprolactone are very promising macromolecules as a nanofiber matrix for immobilizing such functional agents. The assimilation of such polymeric matrices with functional agents that possess wide varieties of characteristics require a modified approach towards electrospinning techniques such as coelectrospinning and template spinning. Additional focus within this review is devoted to the state of the art for the implementations of these approaches as viable options for the achievement of multifunctional hybrid nanofibers. Finally, recent advances and challenges, in particular, mass fabrication and prospects of hybrid nanofibers for tissue engineering and biomedical applications have been summarized.

Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of vitiligo : A 10- patient prospective study

INTRODUCTION

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder characterised by loss of epidermal melanocytes. It has cosmetic and psychosocial impact. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the interest of platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) in the treatment of vitiligo.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective study between January 2019 to September 2021.

RESULTS

Our descriptive study included 10 patients followed-up for vitiligo refractory to conventional therapies. The mean age was 36,2 years. Sex ratio was 0,25. Prior to PRP treatment, vitiligo was stable in all cases. The mean number of PRP sessions received by our patients was 2,6 (1-6). A visible improvement of lesions was obtained after a mean of 1,5 sessions. 40% of patients had obtained repigmentation of more than 50% for at least one lesion. An improvement of more than 75% (grade 4) was noted in 2 cases after a mean duration of 5,5 sessions. 40% of patients had obtained repigmentation of more than 50% for at least one lesion. A percentage of improvement between 50 and 74% (grade 3) was obtained for 2 patients. Four patients had an improvement of less than 25% (grade 1) after a mean of 1,75 sessions. There was no recurrence of depigmentation after a mean follow-up of 6 months (1 to 24 months).

CONCLUSION

Our series proves the benefit of PRP in the treatment of vitiligo. It is a safe and promising option for stable lesions in different body sites with few side effects.

Smart nanofibres for specific and ultrasensitive nanobiosensors and drug delivery systems

Biosensors are dynamically developing analytical devices for the detection of substrates or other bioactive substances. They can be used for quick gas or liquid analyses and the construction of sensitive detection systems. This review highlights the advances and development of biosensors suitable for human and veterinary medicine and, namely, a novel contribution of nanotechnology for ultrasensitive diagnosis and personalized medicine. The synergic effect of nanotechnology and biosensors opens a new dimension for effective treatment and disease detection at their early stages.

Clinical Features, Immunopathogenesis, and Therapeutic Strategies in Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease of the skin characterized by epidermal melanocyte loss resulting in white patches, with an approximate prevalence of 0.5-2% worldwide. Several precipitating factors by chemical exposure and skin injury present commonly in patients with vitiligo. Although the diagnosis appears to be straightforward for the distinct clinical phenotype and specific histological features, vitiligo provides many challenges including chronicity, treatment resistance, frequent relapse, associated profound psychosocial effect, and negative impact on quality of life. Multiple mechanisms are involved in melanocyte disappearance, including genetics, environmental factors, and immune-mediated inflammation. Compelling evidence supports the melanocyte intrinsic abnormalities with poor adaptation to stressors leading to instability and release of danger signals, which will activate dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and innate lymphoid cells to initiate innate immunity, ultimately resulting in T-cell mediated adaptive immune response and melanocyte destruction. Importantly, the cross- talk between keratinocytes, melanocytes, and immune cells, such as interferon (IFN)-γ signaling pathway, builds inflammatory loops that give rise to the disease deterioration. Improved understanding of the immune pathogenesis of vitiligo has led to the development of new therapeutic options including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors targeting IFN-γ signaling pathways, which can effectively reverse depigmentation. Furthermore, definition of treatment goals and integration of comorbid diseases into vitiligo management have revolutionized the way vitiligo is treated. In this review, we highlight recent developments in vitiligo clinical aspects and immune pathogenesis. Our key objective is to raise awareness of the complexity of this disease, the potential of prospective therapy strategies, and the need for early and comprehensive management.

Nanomaterials in Skin Regeneration and Rejuvenation

Skin is the external part of the human body; thus, it is exposed to outer stimuli leading to injuries and damage, due to being the tissue mostly affected by wounds and aging that compromise its protective function. The recent extension of the average lifespan raises the interest in products capable of counteracting skin related health conditions. However, the skin barrier is not easy to permeate and could be influenced by different factors. In the last decades an innovative pharmacotherapeutic approach has been possible thanks to the advent of nanomedicine. Nanodevices can represent an appropriate formulation to enhance the passive penetration, modulate drug solubility and increase the thermodynamic activity of drugs. Here, we summarize the recent nanotechnological approaches to maintain and replace skin homeostasis, with particular attention to nanomaterials applications on wound healing, regeneration and rejuvenation of skin tissue. The different nanomaterials as nanofibers, hydrogels, nanosuspensions, and nanoparticles are described and in particular we highlight their main chemical features that are useful in drug delivery and tissue regeneration.