Protein corona: Friend or foe? Co-opting serum proteins for nanoparticle delivery

Release dynamics and toxicological analysis of astilbin from lauric acid/BSA-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

The research was designed to analyze the in vitro drug release kinetics of astilbin (AST)-loaded lauric acid (LA)/bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONLA/BSA) as drug delivery vehicles for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) therapy. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the diffusion coefficient of AST (D) and the dissolution rate (k'a) of the drug, as well as to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity against KKU-055 and KKU-213. The in vitro drug release profiles of AST-loaded SPIONLA/BSA demonstrated their potential for a targeted and pH-sensitive delivery mechanism. The AST release profile at different concentrations (10, 15, 20, and 25 ppm) was best fitted by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The release exponents (n ≤ 0.45) indicated that the drug release mechanism was controlled by quasi-Fickian diffusion. The control of drug release dynamics of AST predicted using a combination of the Noyes-Whitney and Fick's second law, was best described by a second-order release-rate diffusion control at a 10 ppm loading concentration. In contrast, a higher initial concentration (20 ppm) was best described by a first-order release-rate diffusion control model. In the cytotoxicity studies, SPIONLA/BSA demonstrated a greater decrease in cell viability compared to uncoated-SPION, in a dose-dependent manner (0-150 μg·cm-3). After 48 h of treatment, KKU-213 cells exhibited the highest cell growth inhibition, with a 54.73 % reduction in viability compared to the control group. These findings suggest that AST has potential as a potent anticancer agent for inhibiting CCA cell growth, while SPIONLA/BSA shows promise as an effective carrier for anticancer drug delivery.

Nanomedicine for targeting brain Neurodegeneration: Critical barriers and circadian rhythm Considerations

The development of novel therapies for central nervous system (CNS) diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a critical global health priority. Biotherapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and RNA-based therapies, have shown potential for treating brain disorders. However, their clinical progress is limited by their difficult access to their brain targets. At the preclinical level, nanotechnology has been shown, to help these molecules overcome the biological barriers that imped their adequate brain delivery. This review highlights advances in this area and the challenges for the translation to the clinic. Key nanotechnology-based strategies, such as surface modifications utilizing endogenous protein corona, functionalization with targeting ligands, therapeutic ultrasound-mediated microbubble oscillation were particularly analyzed. Additionally, in line with the focus of the Special Issue, this review integrates the concept of chronotherapy, with a focus on AD treatment, highlighting the idea that, by aligning nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery with circadian rhythms, it may be possible to improve therapeutic outcomes. Finally, the article analyzes current strategies in CNS drug delivery in clinical trials and provides future directions within this frame, notably in the area of AD.

Fate of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in zebrafish liver cells: Influence of protein corona on transport, oxidative stress, and glycolipid metabolism

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) form protein corona (PC) upon contact with biological fluids, but their impact on the intracellular transport, distribution, and toxicity of MNPs remains unclear. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used to simulate in vivo environment, this study explored their influence on the transport and toxicity of polystyrene (PS) MNPs in zebrafish liver (ZFL) cells. Results showed PS MNPs were wrapped by proteins into stable complexes. Nanoparticles (NP, 50 nm) and their protein complexes (NP@PC) were internalized by cells within 6 h, with PC formation enhancing NP uptake. NP primarily entered cells through clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis, while NP@PC via clathrin-mediated pathways. Internalized particles were predominantly in lysosomes where PC degraded and some were also in mitochondria. Eventually, particles were expelled from cells through energy-dependent lysosomal pathways and energy-independent membrane penetration mechanisms. Notably, PC formation limited the clearance of NP. In toxicity, NP had a more severe impact than microplastics (MP, 5 μm). FBS more effectively mitigated PS MNPs-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation, subcellular structural damage, and dysregulation of glycolipid metabolism than BSA did. This study elucidates the modulatory role of PC on biological effects of MNPs, providing safety and risk management strategies.

Protein corona formation on supramolecular polymer nanoparticles causes differential endosomal sorting resulting in an attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Upon introduction into biological environments, nanoparticles undergo the spontaneous formation of a dynamic protein corona, which continually evolves and significantly modifies their physicochemical properties and interactions with biological systems. This evolving protein corona can critically impact the nanoparticles' endocytic pathways and targeting efficiency, potentially altering their functional characteristics and obscuring their intended therapeutic effects. Despite considerable focus on the characterization of corona proteins and their impact on nanoparticle uptake, the intracellular processes and their effects on immunogenicity are not yet thoroughly understood. Supramolecular polymer nanoparticles (SNPs) with a highly hydrophobic core are recognized for triggering NLRP3 inflammasome activation, a key component of the innate immune system. Here, it is reported that the protein corona formation on SNPs exerts an inhibitory effect on the activation pathway of NLRP3 inflammasome. The protein corona impairs the intrinsic capacity of SNPs to induce lysosomal membrane rupture, thereby diminishing the cellular stress signals necessary for the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex. Furthermore, the cells transport SNPs with an attached protein corona to recycling endosomes, where they are sorted and prepared for exocytosis. Conversely, nascent SNPs are primarily confined to late endosomes and lysosomes, leading to lysosomal rupture and inflammasome activation. This differential routing reflects the significant impact of the protein corona on the cellular handling and subsequent biological activity of nanoparticles. In summary, this study elucidates the fundamental role of the protein corona in shaping the intracellular disposition of nanoparticles, with implications for modulating their interactions with the immune system.

Protein-Nonfouling and Cell-Binding Polysulfobetaine Inducing Fast Transcytosis for Tumor-Active Drug Delivery

Long blood circulation and fast cellular uptake are essential yet paradoxical requirements for efficient tumor-targeted drug delivery carriers. For instance, polyzwitterions, generally nonfouling to proteins and cells, have been extensively explored as long-circulating drug delivery carriers but suffer ultraslow cell internalization, making them inefficient in delivering drugs to cells. Protein-resistant yet cell membrane-binding polymers will simultaneously achieve long blood circulation and fast cellular internalization, but their designs are generally complicated, such as introducing cell-membrane binding groups. Here, it is shown that the N-alkyl chain length of zwitterionic poly(sulfobetaine) can be used to tune its affinity toward proteins and cell membranes. A poly(sulfobetaine) with a moderately long N-alkyl chain became cell membrane-philic while retaining protein resistance, leading to long blood circulation and fast cellular uptake, which further triggered efficient tumor cell transcytosis and intratumor penetration. Thus, its paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded micelles demonstrated potent antitumor efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer models. This study showcases a paradigm of designing polyzwitterions harmonizing long blood circulation and fast cellular uptake properties as tumor-active drug delivery carriers.

Optimization of Lipid Nanoparticles with Robust Efficiency for the Delivery of Protein Therapeutics to Augment Cancer Immunotherapy

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been successful in delivering nucleic acids like siRNA and mRNA, but face challenges in protein delivery due to limited protein encapsulation and endosome escape. In this study, a family of LNPs is developed with robust high efficiency in addressing the multiple barriers in cytosolic protein delivery by incorporating clinically approved ionizable lipids into traditional cationic LNPs. The combination of cationic and ionizable lipids enables efficient protein binding and endosomal escape. Optimized LNPs efficiently deliver various proteins, including antibodies, enzymes, toxins, and Cas9 into living cells with reserved functions. Moreover, the designed LNPs show high serum stability during protein delivery, and the serum albumin adsorbed on LNPs facilitates protein delivery via albumin receptor-mediated endocytosis, enabling highly efficient protein delivery in vivo. The optimized LNPs successfully deliver therapeutic proteins such as saporin and interleukin-10 (IL-10) to inhibit tumor growth in several animal models. The IL-10 loaded LNPs enhanced the proliferation and cytotoxicity of T cells and improved the antitumor effect of adoptive transferred OT-1 CD8+ T cells to melanoma. This study expands the applications of LNPs for the delivery of biomacromolecules, and the developed LNP formulations have enormous potential for the delivery of protein therapeutics to treat various diseases.

Smart on-demand drug release strategies for cancer combination therapy

In cancer therapy, enhancing therapeutic indices and patient compliance has been a central focus in recent drug delivery technology development. However, achieving a delicate balance between improving anti-tumor efficacy and minimizing toxicity to normal tissues remains a significant challenge. With the advent of smart on-demand drug release strategies, new opportunities have emerged. These strategies represent a promising approach to drug delivery, enabling precise control over the release of therapeutic agents in a programmed and spatiotemporal manner. Recent studies have focused on designing delivery systems capable of releasing multiple therapeutic agents sequentially, while achieving spatial resolution in vivo. Smart on-demand drug release strategies have demonstrated considerable potential in tumor combination therapy for achieving precision drug delivery and controlled release by responding to specific physiological signals or external physical stimuli in the tumor microenvironment. These strategies not only improve tumor targeting and reduce toxicity to healthy tissues but also enable sequential release in combination therapy, allowing multiple drugs to be released in a specific spatiotemporal order to enhance synergistic treatment effects. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the current research progress of smart on-demand drug release drug delivery strategies in anti-tumor combination therapy. We highlighted representative integrated drug delivery systems and discussed the challenges associated with their clinical application. Additionally, potential future research directions are proposed to further advance this promising field.

Control of biomedical nanoparticle distribution and drug release in vivo by complex particle design strategies

The utilization of targeted nanoparticles as a selective drug delivery system is a powerful tool to increase the amount of active substance reaching the target site. This can increase therapeutic efficacy while reducing adverse drug effects. However, nanoparticles face several challenges: upon injection, the immediate adhesion of plasma proteins may mask targeting ligands, thereby diminishing the target cell selectivity. In addition, opsonization can lead to premature clearance and the widespread presence of receptors or enzymes limits the accuracy of target cell recognition. Nanoparticles may also suffer from endosomal entrapment, and controlled drug release can be hindered by premature burst release or insufficient particle retention at the target site. Various strategies have been developed to address these adverse events, such as the implementation of switchable particle properties, regulating the composition of the formed protein corona, or using click-chemistry based targeting approaches. This has resulted in increasingly complex particle designs, raising the question of whether this development actually improves the therapeutic efficacy in vivo. This review provides an overview of the challenges in targeted drug delivery and explores potential solutions described in the literature. Subsequently, appropriate strategies for the development of nanoparticular drug delivery concepts are discussed.

Multifunctional DNA nanomaterials: a new frontier in rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains a challenging autoimmune disease due to its complex and heterogeneous pathophysiology, which complicates therapeutic and diagnostic efforts. Advances in DNA nanotechnology have introduced DNA nanomaterials as promising tools to overcome these barriers. This review focuses on three primary categories of DNA nanomaterials applied in RA: DNA nanostructures, DNA aptamers, and DNA-modified nanoparticles. DNA nanostructures, such as tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs) and DNA origami, demonstrate anti-inflammatory properties and facilitate precise, controlled drug delivery. DNA aptamers, functioning as molecular recognition ligands, surpass traditional antibodies with their high specificity, low immunogenicity, and thermal stability, offering significant potential in biomarker detection and therapeutic interventions. While DNA-modified nanoparticles, which integrate DNA with materials like gold or lipids, have shown significant progress in bioimaging and drug delivery in other fields, their application in RA remains limited and warrants further exploration. Furthermore, advancements in stimulus-responsive systems are being explored to enable controlled drug release, which could significantly improve the specificity and efficiency of DNA nanomaterials in therapeutic applications. Despite their immense potential, challenges such as stability under physiological conditions, safety concerns, and clinical regulatory complexities persist. Overcoming these limitations is essential. This review highlights how DNA nanomaterials, beyond serving as delivery platforms, are poised to redefine RA treatment and diagnosis, opening the door to more personalized and effective approaches.

Hybrid Systems of Gels and Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy: Advances in Multifunctional Therapeutic Platforms

Cancer is a global health concern. Various therapeutic approaches, including chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy, have been developed for cancer treatment. Silica nanoparticles, quantum dots, and metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nanomedicines have gained interest in cancer therapy because of their selective accumulation in tumors via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. However, bare nanoparticles face challenges including poor biocompatibility, low stability, limited drug-loading capacity, and rapid clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Gels with unique three-dimensional network structures formed through various interactions such as covalent and hydrogen bonds are emerging as promising materials for addressing these challenges. Gel hybridization enhances biocompatibility, facilitates controlled drug release, and confers cancer-targeting abilities to nanoparticles. This review discusses gel-nanoparticle hybrid systems for cancer treatment developed in the past five years and analyzes the roles of gels in these systems.

DNA-Assembled Size-Permeable Microcapsule Bioreactor Enables Direct and Rapid Sensing of Trace Circulating MicroRNA Biomarkers in Undiluted Cancer Patient Serum

Sensitive and direct detection of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in undiluted human serums can significantly facilitate the diagnosis of different diseases in the early stages; however, the achievement of such a goal is highly challenged by the extremely complex sample matrix nature of serums. Here, we show that sensitive and rapid detection of the circulating let-7a miRNA biomarker in undiluted cancer patient serums can be realized by a new size-permeable microcapsule bioreactor. The Cas13a/crRNA-dsDNA@polyethylene glycol core/shell biomicrocapsules are synthesized by simple encapsulation and etching steps. Such biomicrocapsules exhibit high stability, enhanced protein antifouling capability, and size-selective permeability that only allows short miRNA sequences to enter the core cavities, thereby enabling highly sensitive and direct detection of let-7a miRNA in undiluted serums down to 0.21 pM within 20 min via signal amplification by Cas13a/crRNA and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence signals. The biomicrocapsule also allows unambiguous discrimination of the clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients from the healthy groups via direct detection of let-7a miRNA in the serum samples, thereby highlighting its robust clinical potential for early disease diagnoses.

Tumor-Targeted Catalytic Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy holds significant promise for improving cancer treatment efficacy; however, the low response rate remains a considerable challenge. To overcome this limitation, advanced catalytic materials offer potential in augmenting catalytic immunotherapy by modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) through precise biochemical reactions. Achieving optimal targeting precision and therapeutic efficacy necessitates a thorough understanding of the properties and underlying mechanisms of tumor-targeted catalytic materials. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of recent advancements in tumor-targeted catalytic materials and their critical role in enhancing catalytic immunotherapy. It highlights the types of catalytic reactions, the construction strategies of catalytic materials, and their fundamental mechanisms for tumor targeting, including passive, bioactive, stimuli-responsive, and biomimetic targeting approaches. Furthermore, this review outlines various tumor-specific targeting strategies, encompassing tumor tissue, tumor cell, exogenous stimuli-responsive, TME-responsive, and cellular TME targeting strategies. Finally, the discussion addresses the challenges and future perspectives for transitioning catalytic materials into clinical applications, offering insights that pave the way for next-generation cancer therapies and provide substantial benefits to patients in clinical settings.

Black phosphorus-based nanoplatforms for cancer therapy: chemistry, design, biological and therapeutic behaviors

Cancer, a significant threat to human lives, has been the target of research for several decades. Although conventional therapies have drawbacks, such as side effects, low efficacy, and weak targeting, they have been applied extensively due to a lack of effective alternatives. The emergence of nanotechnology in medicine has opened up new possibilities and offered promising solutions for cancer therapy. In recent years, 2D nanomaterials have attracted enormous attention in nanomedicine due to their large surface-to-volume ratio, photo-responsivity, excellent electrical conductivity, etc. Among them, black phosphorus (BP) is a 2D nanomaterial consisting of multiple layers weakly bonded together through van der Waals forces. Its distinct structure makes BP suitable for biomedical applications, such as drug/gene carriers, PTT/PDT, and imaging agents. BP has demonstrated remarkable potential since its introduction in cancer therapy in 2015, particularly due to its selective anticancer activity even without the aid of near-infrared (NIR) or anticancer drugs. The present review makes efforts to cover and discuss studies published on the anticancer activity of BP. Based on the type of cancer, the subcategories are organized to shed light on the potential of BP nanosheets and BP quantum dots (BPQDs) against breast, brain, skin, prostate, and bone cancers, and a section is devoted to other cancer types. Since extensive attention has been paid to breast cancer cells and in vivo models, various subsections, including mono-, dual, and triple therapeutic approaches are established for this cancer type. Furthermore, the review outlines various synthesis approaches employed to produce BP nanomaterials, providing insights into key synthesis parameters. This review provides an up-to-date platform for the potential reader to understand what has been done about BP cancer therapy based on each disease, and the conclusions and outlook cover the directions in which this approach is going to proceed in the future.

Protein Coronation-Induced Cancer Staging-Dependent Multilevel Cytotoxicity: An All-Humanized Study in Blood Vessel Organoids

The protein corona effect refers to the phenomenon wherein nanomaterials in the bloodstream are coated by serum proteins, yet how protein coronated nanomaterials interact with blood vessels and its toxicity implications remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated protein corona-related vessel toxicity by using an all-humanized assay integrating blood vessel organoids and patient-derived serum. Initially, we screened various nanomaterials to discern how parameters including size, morphology, hydrophobicity, surface charge, and chirality-dependent protein corona difference influence their uptake by vessel organoids. For nanomaterials showing substantial differences in vessel uptake, their protein corona was analyzed by using label-free mass spectra. Our findings revealed the involvement of cancer staging-related cytoskeleton components in mediating preferential uptake by cells, including endothelial and mural cells. Additionally, a transcriptome study was conducted to elucidate the influence of nanomaterials. We confirmed that protein coronated nanomaterials provoke remodeling at both transcriptional and translational levels, impacting pathways such as PI3K-Akt/Hippo/Wnt, and membraneless organelle integrity, respectively. Our study further demonstrated that the remodeling potential of patient-derived protein coronated nanomaterials can be harnessed to synergize with antiangiogenesis therapeutics to improve the outcomes. We anticipate that this study will provide guidance for the safe use of nanomedicine in the future.

Dual-Targeted Drug Delivery to Myeloid Leukemia Cells via Complement- and Transferrin-Based Protein Corona

Although traditionally regarded as an impediment, the protein corona can facilitate the advancement of targeted drug delivery systems. This study presents an innovative approach for targeting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using nanoparticles with agglutinated protein (NAPs). Agglutinated transferrin and C3b in NAPs selectively bind to CD71 and CD11b, receptors that are overexpressed on myeloid leukemic cells compared to nonmalignant cells. In vitro, NAPs achieved a 73.9% doxorubicin (DOX) uptake in leukemic cells, compared to 6.19% for the free drug, while significantly reducing off-target accumulation in normal cells from 42.9% to 5.76%. In vivo, the distribution of NAPs correlated to the organ infiltration pattern of leukemic cells. NAPs demonstrated antileukemic activity in both in vitro and in vivo NSG mouse models, inducing cell death via apoptosis and ferroptosis. In conclusion, NAP-mediated targeted drug delivery represents a promising therapeutic strategy for AML, enhancing treatment efficacy and minimizing off-target effects.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Investigation of Corona Formation of Dipeptide-Based Nanomaterials

Peptide-based nanomaterials can be easily functionalized due to their functional groups, as well as being biocompatible, stable under physiological conditions, and nontoxic. Here, diphenylalanineamide-based nanomaterials (FFANMs) were synthesized, decorated with Ca2+ ions to set the surface charge, and characterized for possible use in gene delivery and drug release studies. FFANMs were characterized by SEM, TEM, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and LC-MS/MS. Corona formation and biocompatible studies were also carried out. Some of the data obtained are as follows: FFANMs have a diameter of approximately 87.93 nm. While the zeta potentials of FFANMs and Ca2+@FFANMs were -20.1 mV and +9.3 mV, respectively, after corona formation with HSA and IgG proteins, they were shifted to -7.6 mV and -3.7 mV, respectively. For gene delivery studies, zeta potentials of Ca2+@FFANMs and DNA interactions were also studied and found to shift to -9.7 mV. Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility studies of NMs were also studied on HeLa and HT29 cell lines, and decreases of about 5% and 10% in viability at the end of 24 h and 72 h incubation times were found. We think that the results obtained from this study will assist the groups working in the relevant field.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Delivery for Bone Tissue Engineering

Critical-sized bone defects represent an urgent clinical problem, necessitating innovative treatment approaches. Gene-activated grafts for bone tissue engineering have emerged as a promising solution. However, traditional gene delivery methods are constrained by limited osteogenic efficacy and safety concerns. Recently, organic and inorganic nanoparticle (NP) vectors have attracted significant attention in bone tissue engineering for their safe, stable, and controllable gene delivery. Targeted gene delivery guided by insights into bone healing mechanisms, coupled with the multifunctional design of NPs, is crucial for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Here, the theoretical foundations underlying NP-mediated gene therapy for enhancing bone healing across different histological stages are elucidated. Furthermore, the distinct attributes of functionalized NP vectors are discussed, and cutting-edge strategies aimed at optimizing gene delivery efficiency throughout the therapeutic process are highlighted. Additionally, the review addresses the unresolved challenges and prospects of this technology. This review may contribute to the continued development and clinical application of NP-mediated gene delivery for treating critical-sized bone defects.

Amphiphilic Oligonucleotide Derivatives-Promising Tools for Therapeutics

Recent advances in genetics and nucleic acid chemistry have created fundamentally new tools, both for practical applications in therapy and diagnostics and for fundamental genome editing tasks. Nucleic acid-based therapeutic agents offer a distinct advantage of selectively targeting the underlying cause of the disease. Nevertheless, despite the success achieved thus far, there remain unresolved issues regarding the improvement of the pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic nucleic acids while preserving their biological activity. In order to address these challenges, there is a growing focus on the study of safe and effective delivery methods utilising modified nucleic acid analogues and their lipid bioconjugates. The present review article provides an overview of the current state of the art in the use of chemically modified nucleic acid derivatives for therapeutic applications, with a particular focus on oligonucleotides conjugated to lipid moieties. A systematic analysis has been conducted to investigate the ability of amphiphilic oligonucleotides to self-assemble into micelle-like structures, as well as the influence of non-covalent interactions of such derivatives with serum albumin on their biodistribution and therapeutic effects.

Biodistribution and Biotoxicity Assessment of Fluorescent Conjugated Polymer Dots

Conjugated polymer dots (Pdots) have shown potential in the biomedical fields due to their optical properties and customizable design. However, the limited research on the biotoxicity of Pdots hinders their further application and translation. Lipophilic Pdots are prone to adsorbing specific proteins, leading to targeted tissue accumulation. Therefore, lipophilic fluorescent Pdots (Bare-Pdots) are synthesized using the conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) to systematically evaluate their biodistribution and biotoxicity in stem cells, zebrafish embryos, and mice. It is observed that Bare-Pdots are readily internalized by cells and adhered to the embryonic chorion. Additionally, Bare-Pdots exhibit a distinct distribution in brown adipose tissue and heart, closely associated with phagocytosis of capillary endothelial cells involved in lipid metabolism. Notably, injection of Bare-Pdots at 5 mg kg-1 results in dysfunction of brown adipose tissue and an increased risk of obesity 90 days post-injection. Furthermore, hydrophilic COOH-Pdots and NH2-Pdots with reduced lipophilicity are synthesized using amphiphilic ligands. NH2-Pdots show similar distribution but lower biotoxicity compared to Bare-Pdots. Nevertheless, injection of COOH-Pdots at 5 mg kg-1 causes a decrease in white blood cells and renal tubular damage. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing dosage to ensure the safe use of Pdots in preclinical applications.

Effects of nanoparticle deformability on multiscale biotransport

Deformability is one of the critical attributes of nanoparticle (NP) drug carriers, along with size, shape, and surface properties. It affects various aspects of NP biotransport, ranging from circulation and biodistribution to interactions with biological barriers and target cells. Recent studies report additional roles of NP deformability in biotransport processes, including protein corona formation, intracellular trafficking, and organelle distribution. This review focuses on the literature published in the past five years to update our understanding of NP deformability and its effect on NP biotransport. We introduce different methods of modulating and evaluating NP deformability and showcase recent studies that compare a series of NPs in their performance in biotransport events at all levels, highlighting the consensus and disagreement of the findings. It concludes with a perspective on the intricacy of systematic investigation of NP deformability and future opportunities to advance its control toward optimal drug delivery.

Towards realizing nano-enabled precision delivery in plants

Nanocarriers (NCs) that can precisely deliver active agents, nutrients and genetic materials into plants will make crop agriculture more resilient to climate change and sustainable. As a research field, nano-agriculture is still developing, with significant scientific and societal barriers to overcome. In this Review, we argue that lessons can be learned from mammalian nanomedicine. In particular, it may be possible to enhance efficiency and efficacy by improving our understanding of how NC properties affect their interactions with plant surfaces and biomolecules, and their ability to carry and deliver cargo to specific locations. New tools are required to rapidly assess NC-plant interactions and to explore and verify the range of viable targeting approaches in plants. Elucidating these interactions can lead to the creation of computer-generated in silico models (digital twins) to predict the impact of different NC and plant properties, biological responses, and environmental conditions on the efficiency and efficacy of nanotechnology approaches. Finally, we highlight the need for nano-agriculture researchers and social scientists to converge in order to develop sustainable, safe and socially acceptable NCs.

Brain-targeted drug delivery by in vivo functionalized liposome with stable D-peptide ligand

Brain-targeted drug delivery poses a great challenge due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In a previous study, we have developed a peptide-modified stealth liposome (SP-sLip) to enhance BBB penetration via the adsorption of apolipoproteins in plasma. SP is an 11-amino acid peptide derived from 25 to 35 of the Amyloid β peptide (Aβ1-42), which is a nature ligand of apolipoproteins. Although freshly prepared SP-sLip exhibited efficient brain targeting performance, it occured self-aggregation and instability in storage. In this study, we developed a D-peptide ligand according to the reverse sequence of SP with D-amino acids, known as DSP, to improve the stability in storage. Notably, DSP exhibited a reduced tendency for self-aggregation and improved stability in comparison to the SP peptide. Furthermore, compared to SP-sLip, DSP-modified sLip (DSP-sLip) demonstrated enhanced stability (>2 weeks), prolonged blood circulation (AUC increased 44.4%), reduced liver and spleen accumulation (reduced by 2.23 times and 1.86 times) with comparable brain-targeting efficiency. Similar to SP-sLip, DSP-sLip selectively adsorbed apolipoprotein A1, E, and J in the blood to form functionalized protein corona, thus crossing BBB via apolipoprotein receptor-mediated transcytosis. These findings underscored the importance of ligand stability in the in vitro and in vivo performance of brain-targeted liposomes, therefore paving the way for the design and optimization of efficient and stable nanocarriers.

Advanced Noninvasive Strategies for the Brain Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins and Peptides

Recent years have witnessed rapid progress in the discovery of therapeutic proteins and peptides for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, their clinical applications have been considerably hindered by challenges such as low biomembrane permeability, poor stability, short circulation time, and the formidable blood-brain barrier (BBB). Recently, substantial improvements have been made in understanding the dynamics of the BBB and developing efficient approaches for delivering proteins and peptides to the CNS, especially by using various nanoparticles. Herein, we present an overview of the up-to-date understanding of the BBB under physiological and pathological conditions, emphasizing their effects on brain drug delivery. We summarize advanced strategies and elucidate the underlying mechanisms for delivering proteins and peptides to the brain. We highlight the developments and applications of nanocarriers in treating CNS diseases via BBB crossing. We also provide critical opinions on the limitations and obstacles of the current strategies and put forward prospects for future research.

Phototactic/Photosynthetic/Magnetic-Powered Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii-Metal-Organic Frameworks Micro/Nanomotors for Intelligent Thrombolytic Management and Ischemia Alleviation

Thrombosis presents a critical health threat globally, with high mortality and incidence rates. Clinical treatment faces challenges such as low thrombolytic agent bioavailability, thrombosis recurrence, ischemic hypoxia damage, and neural degeneration. This study developed biocompatible Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii micromotors (CHL) with photo/magnetic capabilities to address these needs. These CHL micromotors, equipped with phototaxis and photosynthesis abilities, offer promising solutions. A core aspect of this innovation involves incorporating polysaccharides (glycol chitosan (GCS) and fucoidan (F)) into ferric Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), loaded with urokinase (UK), and subsequently self-assembled onto the multimodal CHL, forming a core-shell microstructure (CHL@GCS/F-UK-MOF). Under light-navigation, CHL@GCS/F-UK-MOF is shown to penetrate thrombi, enhancing thrombolytic biodistribution. Combining CHL@GCS/F-UK-MOF with the magnetic hyperthermia technique achieves stimuli-responsive multiple-release, accelerating thrombolysis and rapidly restoring blocked blood vessels. Moreover, this approach attenuates thrombi-induced ischemic hypoxia disorder and tissue damage. The photosynthetic and magnetotherapeutic properties of CHL@GCS/F-UK-MOF, along with their protective effects, including reduced apoptosis, enhanced behavioral function, induced Heat Shock Protein (HSP), polarized M2 macrophages, and mitigated hypoxia, are confirmed through biochemical, microscopic, and behavioral assessments. This multifunctional biomimetic platform, integrating photo-magnetic techniques, offers a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular management, advancing related technologies.

ROS-responsive hydrogels: from design and additive manufacturing to biomedical applications

Hydrogels with intricate 3D networks and high hydrophilicity have qualities resembling those of biological tissues, making them ideal candidates for use as smart biomedical materials. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive hydrogels are an innovative class of smart hydrogels, and are cross-linked by ROS-responsive modules through covalent interactions, coordination interactions, or supramolecular interactions. Due to the introduction of ROS response modules, this class of hydrogels exhibits a sensitive response to the oxidative stress microenvironment existing in organisms. Simultaneously, due to the modularity of the ROS-responsive structure, ROS-responsive hydrogels can be manufactured on a large scale through additive manufacturing. This review will delve into the design, fabrication, and applications of ROS-responsive hydrogels. The main goal is to clarify the chemical principles that govern the response mechanism of these hydrogels, further providing new perspectives and methods for designing responsive hydrogel materials.

Recent advances in the development of tumor microenvironment-activatable nanomotors for deep tumor penetration

Cancer represents a significant threat to human health, with the use of traditional chemotherapy drugs being limited by their harsh side effects. Tumor-targeted nanocarriers have emerged as a promising solution to this problem, as they can deliver drugs directly to the tumor site, improving drug effectiveness and reducing adverse effects. However, the efficacy of most nanomedicines is hindered by poor penetration into solid tumors. Nanomotors, capable of converting various forms of energy into mechanical energy for self-propelled movement, offer a potential solution for enhancing drug delivery to deep tumor regions. External force-driven nanomotors, such as those powered by magnetic fields or ultrasound, provide precise control but often necessitate bulky and costly external equipment. Bio-driven nanomotors, propelled by sperm, macrophages, or bacteria, utilize biological molecules for self-propulsion and are well-suited to the physiological environment. However, they are constrained by limited lifespan, inadequate speed, and potential immune responses. To address these issues, nanomotors have been engineered to propel themselves forward by catalyzing intrinsic "fuel" in the tumor microenvironment. This mechanism facilitates their penetration through biological barriers, allowing them to reach deep tumor regions for targeted drug delivery. In this regard, this article provides a review of tumor microenvironment-activatable nanomotors (fueled by hydrogen peroxide, urea, arginine), and discusses their prospects and challenges in clinical translation, aiming to offer new insights for safe, efficient, and precise treatment in cancer therapy.

Peptide-Hitchhiking for the Development of Nanosystems in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the epitome of aggressiveness and lethality in the spectrum of brain tumors, primarily due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that hinders effective treatment delivery, tumor heterogeneity, and the presence of treatment-resistant stem cells that contribute to tumor recurrence. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to overcome these obstacles by attaching targeting ligands to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Among these ligands, peptides stand out due to their ease of synthesis and high selectivity. This article aims to review single and multiligand strategies critically. In addition, it highlights other strategies that integrate the effects of external stimuli, biomimetic approaches, and chemical approaches as nanocatalytic medicine, revealing their significant potential in treating GBM with peptide-functionalized NPs. Alternative routes of parenteral administration, specifically nose-to-brain delivery and local treatment within the resected tumor cavity, are also discussed. Finally, an overview of the significant obstacles and potential strategies to overcome them are discussed to provide a perspective on this promising field of GBM therapy.

Quantum Dots as a Potential Multifunctional Material for the Enhancement of Clinical Diagnosis Strategies and Cancer Treatments

Quantum dots (QDs) represent a class of nanoscale wide bandgap semiconductors, and are primarily composed of metals, lipids, or polymers. Their unique electronic and optical properties, which stem from their wide bandgap characteristics, offer significant advantages for early cancer detection and treatment. Metal QDs have already demonstrated therapeutic potential in early tumor imaging and therapy. However, biological toxicity has led to the development of various non-functionalized QDs, such as carbon QDs (CQDs), graphene QDs (GQDs), black phosphorus QDs (BPQDs) and perovskite quantum dots (PQDs). To meet the diverse needs of clinical cancer treatment, functionalized QDs with an array of modifications (lipid, protein, organic, and inorganic) have been further developed. These advancements combine the unique material properties of QDs with the targeted capabilities of biological therapy to effectively kill tumors through photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other means. In addition to tumor-specific therapy, the fluorescence quantum yield of QDs has gradually increased with technological progress, enabling their significant application in both in vivo and in vitro imaging. This review delves into the role of QDs in the development and improvement of clinical cancer treatments, emphasizing their wide bandgap semiconductor properties.

Stealth and Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles through Surface Coating with a Zwitterionic Derivative of Glutathione

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold promise in biomedicine, but challenges like aggregation, protein corona formation, and insufficient biocompatibility must be thoroughly addressed before advancing their clinical applications. Designing AuNPs with specific protein corona compositions is challenging, and strategies for corona elimination, such as coating with polyethylene glycol (PEG), have limitations. In this study, we introduce a commercially available zwitterionic derivative of glutathione, glutathione monoethyl ester (GSHzwt), for the surface coating of colloidal AuNPs. Particles coated with GSHzwt were investigated alongside four other AuNPs coated with various ligands, including citrate ions, tiopronin, glutathione, cysteine, and PEG. We then undertook a head-to-head comparison of these AuNPs to assess their behavior in biological fluid. GSHzwt-coated AuNPs exhibited exceptional resistance to aggregation and protein adsorption. The particles could also be readily functionalized with biotin and interact with streptavidin receptors in human plasma. Additionally, they exhibited significant blood compatibility and noncytotoxicity. In conclusion, GSHzwt provides a practical and easy method for the surface passivation of AuNPs, creating "stealth" particles for potential clinical applications.

Oral targeted drug delivery to post-gastrointestinal sites

As an essential branch of targeted drug delivery, oral targeted delivery is attracting growing attention in recent years. In addition to site-specific delivery for the treatment of locoregional diseases in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), oral targeted delivery to remote sites beyond the GIT emerges as a cutting-edge research topic. This review aims to provide an overview of the fundamental concepts and most recent advances in this field. Owing to the physiological barriers existing in the GIT, carrier systems should be transported across the enteric epithelia to target remote sites. Recently, pioneer investigations have validated the transport of intact micro- or nanocarriers across gastrointestinal barriers and subsequently to various distal organs and tissues. The microfold (M) cell pathway is the leading mechanism underlying the oral absorption of particulates, but the contribution of the transcellular and paracellular pathways should not be neglected either. In addition to well-acknowledged physicochemical and biological factors, the formation of a protein corona may also influence the biological fate of carrier systems. Although in an early stage of conceptualization, oral targeted delivery to remote diseases has demonstrated promising potential for the treatment of inflammation, tumors, and diseases inflicting the lymphatic and mononuclear phagocytosis systems.

Interactions between nanoparticles and lymphatic systems: Mechanisms and applications in drug delivery

The lymphatic system has garnered significant attention in drug delivery research due to the advantages it offers, such as enhancing systemic exposure and enabling lymph node targeting for nanomedicines via the lymphatic delivery route. The journey of drug carriers involves transport from the administration site to the lymphatic vessels, traversing the lymph before entering the bloodstream or targeting specific lymph nodes. However, the anatomical and physiological barriers of the lymphatic system play a pivotal role in influencing the behavior and efficiency of carriers. To expedite research and subsequent clinical translation, this review begins by introducing the composition and classification of the lymphatic system. Subsequently, we explore the routes and mechanisms through which nanoparticles enter lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. The review further delves into the interactions between nanomedicine and body fluids at the administration site or within lymphatic vessels. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in lymphatic delivery systems, addressing the challenges and opportunities inherent in current systems for delivering macromolecules and vaccines.

A Review for Uncovering the "Protein-Nanoparticle Alliance": Implications of the Protein Corona for Biomedical Applications

Understanding both the physicochemical and biological interactions of nanoparticles is mandatory for the biomedical application of nanomaterials. By binding proteins, nanoparticles acquire new surface identities in biological fluids, the protein corona. Various studies have revealed the dynamic structure and nano-bio interactions of the protein corona. The binding of proteins not only imparts new surface identities to nanoparticles in biological fluids but also significantly influences their bioactivity, stability, and targeting specificity. Interestingly, recent endeavors have been undertaken to harness the potential of the protein corona instead of evading its presence. Exploitation of this 'protein-nanoparticle alliance' has significant potential to change the field of nanomedicine. Here, we present a thorough examination of the latest research on protein corona, encompassing its formation, dynamics, recent developments, and diverse bioapplications. Furthermore, we also aim to explore the interactions at the nano-bio interface, paving the way for innovative strategies to advance the application potential of the protein corona. By addressing challenges and promises in controlling protein corona formation, this review provides insights into the evolving landscape of the 'protein-nanoparticle alliance' and highlights emerging.

Perspectives on Protein-Nanoparticle Interactions at the In Vivo Level

The distinct features of nanoparticles have provided a vast opportunity of developing new diagnosis and therapy strategies for miscellaneous diseases. Although a few nanomedicines are available in the market or in the translation stage, many important issues are still unsolved. When entering the body, nanomaterials will be quickly coated by proteins from their surroundings, forming a corona on their surface, the so-called protein corona. Studies have shown that the protein corona has many important biological implications, particularly at the in vivo level. For example, they can promote the immune system to rapidly clear these outer materials and prevent nanoparticles from playing their designed role in therapy. In this Perspective, the available techniques for characterizing protein-nanoparticle interactions are critically summarized. Effects of nanoparticle properties and environmental factors on protein corona formation, which can further regulate the in vivo fate of nanoparticles, are highlighted and discussed. Moreover, recent progress on the biomedical application of protein corona-engineered nanoparticles is introduced, and future directions for this important yet challenging research area are also briefly discussed.

Lipid-based nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers for cancer therapy

Cancer is a severe disease that results in death in all countries of the world. A nano-based drug delivery approach is the best alternative, directly targeting cancer tumor cells with improved drug cellular uptake. Different types of nanoparticle-based drug carriers are advanced for the treatment of cancer, and to increase the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of cancer therapy, many substances have been looked into as drug carriers. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs) have significantly attracted interest recently. These natural biomolecules that alternate to other polymers are frequently recycled in medicine due to their amphipathic properties. Lipid nanoparticles typically provide a variety of benefits, including biocompatibility and biodegradability. This review covers different classes of LBNPs, including their characterization and different synthesis technologies. This review discusses the most significant advancements in lipid nanoparticle technology and their use in medicine administration. Moreover, the review also emphasized the applications of lipid nanoparticles that are used in different cancer treatment types.

Recent trends in the delivery of RNA drugs: Beyond the liver, more than vaccine

RNAs are known for versatile functions and therapeutic utility. They have gained significant interest since the approval of several RNA drugs, including COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and therapeutic agents targeting liver diseases. There are increasing expectations for a new class of RNA drugs for broader applications. Successful development of RNA drugs for new applications hinges on understanding their diverse functions and structures. In this review, we explore the last five years of literature to understand current approaches to formulate a spectrum of RNA drugs, focusing on new efforts to expand their applications beyond vaccines and liver diseases.

Lipid-mediated protein corona regulation with increased apolipoprotein A-I recruitment for glioma targeting

Protein corona has long been a source of concern, as it might impair the targeting efficacy of targeted drug delivery systems. However, engineered up-regulating the adsorption of certain functional serum proteins could provide nanoparticles with specific targeting drug delivery capacity. Herein, apolipoprotein A-I absorption increased nanoparticles (SPC-PLGA NPs), composed with the Food and Drug Administration approved intravenously injectable soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), were fabricated for enhanced glioma targeting. Due to the high affinity of SPC and apolipoprotein A-I, the percentage of apolipoprotein A-I in the protein corona of SPC-PLGA NPs was 2.19-fold higher than that of nanoparticles without SPC, which made SPC-PLGA NPs have superior glioma targeting ability through binding to scavenger receptor class BI on blood-brain barrier and glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo. SPC-PLGA NPs loaded with paclitaxel could effectively reduce glioma invasion and prolong the survival time of glioma-bearing mice. In conclusion, we provided a good example of the direction of achieving targeting drug delivery based on protein corona regulation.

Recent progress of non-linear topological structure polymers: synthesis, and gene delivery

Currently, many types of non-linear topological structure polymers, such as brush-shaped, star, branched and dendritic structures, have captured much attention in the field of gene delivery and nanomedicine. Compared with linear polymers, non-linear topological structural polymers offer many advantages, including multiple terminal groups, broad and complicated spatial architecture and multi-functionality sites to enhance gene delivery efficiency and targeting capabilities. Nevertheless, the complexity of their synthesis process severely hampers the development and applications of nonlinear topological polymers. This review aims to highlight various synthetic approaches of non-linear topological architecture polymers, including reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) including atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, click chemistry reactions and Michael addition, and thoroughly discuss their advantages and disadvantages, as well as analyze their further application potential. Finally, we comprehensively discuss and summarize different non-linear topological structure polymers for genetic materials delivering performance both in vitro and in vivo, which indicated that topological effects and nonlinear topologies play a crucial role in enhancing the transfection performance of polymeric vectors. This review offered a promising guideline for the design and development of novel nonlinear polymers and facilitated the development of a new generation of polymer-based gene vectors.

Biomimetic Nano-Drug Delivery System: An Emerging Platform for Promoting Tumor Treatment

With the development of nanotechnology, nanoparticles (NPs) have shown broad prospects as drug delivery vehicles. However, they exhibit certain limitations, including low biocompatibility, poor physiological stability, rapid clearance from the body, and nonspecific targeting, which have hampered their clinical application. Therefore, the development of novel drug delivery systems with improved biocompatibility and high target specificity remains a major challenge. In recent years, biofilm mediated biomimetic nano-drug delivery system (BNDDS) has become a research hotspot focus in the field of life sciences. This new biomimetic platform uses bio-nanotechnology to encapsulate synthetic NPswithin biomimetic membrane, organically integrating the low immunogenicity, low toxicity, high tumor targeting, good biocompatibility of the biofilm with the adjustability and versatility of the nanocarrier, and shows promising applications in the field of precision tumor therapy. In this review, we systematically summarize the new progress in BNDDS used for optimizing drug delivery, providing a theoretical reference for optimizing drug delivery and designing safe and efficient treatment strategies to improve tumor treatment outcomes.

A Review of in vivo Toxicity of Quantum Dots in Animal Models

Tremendous research efforts have been devoted to nanoparticles for applications in optoelectronics and biomedicine. Over the past decade, quantum dots (QDs) have become one of the fastest growing areas of research in nanotechnology because of outstanding photophysical properties, including narrow and symmetrical emission spectrum, broad fluorescence excitation spectrum, the tenability of the emission wavelength with the particle size and composition, anti-photobleaching ability and stable fluorescence. These characteristics are suitable for optical imaging, drug delivery and other biomedical applications. Research on QDs toxicology has demonstrated QDs affect or damage the biological system to some extent, and this situation is generally caused by the metal ions and some special properties in QDs, which hinders the further application of QDs in the biomedical field. The toxicological mechanism mainly stems from the release of heavy metal ions and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). At the same time, the contact reaction with QDs also cause disorders in organelles and changes in gene expression profiles. In this review, we try to present an overview of the toxicity and related toxicity mechanisms of QDs in different target organs. It is believed that the evaluation of toxicity and the synthesis of environmentally friendly QDs are the primary issues to be addressed for future widespread applications. However, considering the many different types and potential modifications, this review on the potential toxicity of QDs is still not clearly elucidated, and further research is needed on this meaningful topic.

Semiconducting Polymer Dots Directly Stabilized with Serum Albumin: Preparation, Characterization, and Cellular Immunolabeling

Semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) are brightly fluorescent nanoparticles of growing interest for bioanalysis and imaging. A recurring challenge with these materials is obtaining robust physical and colloidal stability and low nonspecific binding. Here, we prepared and characterized Pdots with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the stabilizing agent (BSA-Pdots) instead of a more conventionally used amphiphilic polymer, both without and with cross-linking of the protein using glutaraldehyde (BSA(GA)-Pdots) or disuccinimidyl glutarate. Characterization included fluorescence properties; colloidal stability as a function of pH, ionic strength, and solvent perturbation; shape retention and hardness; and nonspecific binding with common assay substrates, fixed cells, and live cells. These properties were contrasted with the same properties for amphiphilic polymer-stabilized Pdots and silica-coated Pdots. On balance, the BSA-stabilized Pdots were similar or more favorable in their properties, with BSA(GA)-Pdots being especially advantageous. Bioconjugation of the BSA-stabilized Pdots was possible using amine-reactive active-ester chemistry, including biotinylation and bioorthogonal functionalization for immunoconjugation via tetrazine-strained-alkene click chemistry. These approaches were used for selective fluorescent labeling of cells based on ligand-receptor and antibody-antigen binding, respectively. Overall, direct BSA stabilization is a very promising strategy for preparing Pdots with improved physical and colloidal stability, reduced nonspecific interactions, and utility for in vitro diagnostics and other bioanalyses and imaging.

Formation and detection of biocoronas in the food industry and their fate in the human body

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has opened up new avenues for applications in all stages of the food industry. Over the past decade, extensive research has emphasized that when nanoparticles (NPs) enter organisms, they spontaneously adsorbed biomolecules, leading to the formation of biocorona. This paper provided a detailed review of the process of biocorona formation in the food industry, including their classification and influencing factors. Additionally, various characterization methods to investigated the morphology and structure of biocoronas were introduced. As a real state of food industry nanoparticles in biological environments, the biocorona causes structural transformations of biomolecules bound to NPs, thus affecting their fate in the body. It can either promote or inhibit enzyme activity in the human environment, and may also positively or negatively affect the cellular uptake and toxicity of NPs. Since NPs present in the food industry will inevitably enter the human body, further investigations on biocoronas will offer valuable insights and perspectives on the safety of incorporating more NPs into the food industry.

Advances in smart delivery of magnetic field-targeted drugs in cardiovascular diseases

Magnetic Drug Targeting (MDT) is of particular interest to researchers because of its good loading efficiency, targeting accuracy, and versatile use in vivo. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a global chronic disease with a high mortality rate, and the development of more precise and effective treatments is imminent. A growing number of studies have begun to explore the feasibility of MDT in CVD, but an up-to-date systematic summary is still lacking. This review discusses the current research status of MDT from guiding magnetic fields, magnetic nanocarriers, delivery channels, drug release control, and safety assessment. The current application status of MDT in CVD is also critically introduced. On this basis, new insights into the existing problems and future optimization directions of MDT are further highlighted.

Protein corona on brain targeted nanocarriers: Challenges and prospects

Safe and efficient medical therapy for brain diseases is still an unmet clinical need due to various barriers represented by the blood-brain barrier. Well-designed brain targeted nanocarriers are potential solutions for enhanced brain drug delivery; however, the complicated in vivo process attenuates performance of nanocarriers, which severely hampers clinical translation. The formation of protein corona (PC) is inevitable for nanocarriers circulation and transport in biofluids, acting as an important factor to regulate in vivo performance of nanocarriers. In this review, the reported strategies have been retrospected for better understanding current situation in developing brain targeted nanocarriers. The interplay between brain targeted nanocarriers and plasma proteins is emphasized to comprehend how the nanocarriers adsorb proteins by certain synthetic identity, and following regulations on in vivo performance of nanocarriers. More importantly, the mainstream methods to promote efficiency of nanocarriers by regulating PC, defined as in vitro functionalization and in vivo functionalization strategies, are also discussed. Finally, viewpoints about future development of brain targeted nanocarriers according to the understanding on nanocarriers-PC interaction are proposed.

Immunomodulatory effects of nanoparticles on dendritic cells in a model of allergic contact dermatitis: importance of PD-L2 expression

Nanoparticle (NP) skin exposure is linked to an increased prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis. In our prior studies using the mouse contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model, we reported that silica 20 nm (SiO2) NPs suppressed the allergic response and titanium dioxide NPs doped with manganese (mTiO2) exacerbated it. In this work, we conducted in vitro experiments using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) to study the combinatorial effect of the potent 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) hapten sensitizer with SiO2 and mTiO2 NPs on BMDC cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion and phenotype using the B7 family ligands. Results show that DNFB and mTiO2 behave similarly and exhibit proinflammatory characteristics while SiO2 promotes a naive phenotype. We observe that the B7-H3 (CD276) ligand is only expressed on CD80 + (B7-1) BMDCs. Results from adoptive transfer CHS studies, combined with BMDC phenotype analysis, point to the importance of PD-L2 expression in modulating the adaptive immune response. This work identifies metrics that can be used to predict the effects of NPs on contact allergy and to guide efforts to engineer cell-based therapies to induce hapten specific immune tolerance.

Theranostic Lipid Nanoparticles for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common urological malignancy and represents a leading threat to healthcare. Recent years have seen a series of progresses in the early diagnosis and management of RCC. Theranostic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are increasingly becoming one of the focuses in this field, because of their suitability for tumor targeting and multimodal therapy. LNPs can be precisely fabricated with desirable chemical compositions and biomedical properties, which closely match the physiological characteristics and clinical needs of RCC. Herein, a comprehensive review of theranostic LNPs is presented, emphasizing the generic tool nature of LNPs in developing advanced micro-nano biomaterials. It begins with a brief overview of the compositions and formation mechanism of LNPs, followed with an introduction to kidney-targeting approaches, such as passive, active, and stimulus responsive targeting. With examples provided, a series of modification strategies for enhancing the tumor targeting and functionality of LNPs are discussed. Thereafter, research advances on applications of these LNPs for RCC including bioimaging, liquid biopsy, drug delivery, physical therapy, and gene therapy are summarized and discussed from an interdisciplinary perspective. The final part highlights the milestone achievements of translation medicine, current challenges as well as future development directions of LNPs for the diagnosis and treatment of RCC.

mRNA nanodelivery systems: targeting strategies and administration routes

With the great success of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, mRNA therapeutics have gained significant momentum for the prevention and treatment of various refractory diseases. To function efficiently in vivo and overcome clinical limitations, mRNA demands safe and stable vectors and a reasonable administration route, bypassing multiple biological barriers and achieving organ-specific targeted delivery of mRNA. Nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems representing leading vector approaches ensure the successful intracellular delivery of mRNA to the target organ. In this review, chemical modifications of mRNA and various types of advanced mRNA NPs, including lipid NPs and polymers are summarized. The importance of passive targeting, especially endogenous targeting, and active targeting in mRNA nano-delivery is emphasized, and different cellular endocytic mechanisms are discussed. Most importantly, based on the above content and the physiological structure characteristics of various organs in vivo, the design strategies of mRNA NPs targeting different organs and cells are classified and discussed. Furthermore, the influence of administration routes on targeting design is highlighted. Finally, an outlook on the remaining challenges and future development toward mRNA targeted therapies and precision medicine is provided.

The improving strategies and applications of nanotechnology-based drugs in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of tumor-related death worldwide. Conventional treatments for HCC include drugs, radiation, and surgery. Despite the unremitting efforts of researchers, the curative effect of HCC has been greatly improved, but because HCC is often found in the middle and late stages, the curative effect is still not satisfactory, and the 5-year survival rate is still low. Nanomedicine is a potential subject, which has been applied to the treatment of HCC and has achieved promising results. Here, we summarized the factors affecting the efficacy of drugs in HCC treatment and the strategies for improving the efficacy of nanotechnology-based drugs in HCC, reviewed the recent applications' progress on nanotechnology-based drugs in HCC treatment, and discussed the future perspectives and challenges of nanotechnology-based drugs in HCC treatment.

Selective organ targeting nanoparticles: from design to clinical translation

Targeting nanoparticle is a very promising therapeutic approach that can precisely target specific sites to treat diseases. Research on nanoscale drug delivery systems has made great progress in the past few years, making targeting nanoparticles a promising prospect. However, selective targeting nanoparticles designed for specific organs still face several challenges, one of which is the unknown fate of nanoparticles in vivo. This review starts with the in vivo journey of nanoparticles and describes the biological barriers and some targeting strategies for nanoparticles to target specific organs. Then, through the collection of literature in recent years, the design of selective targeting nanoparticles for various organs is illustrated, which provides a reference strategy for people to study the design of selective organ targeting nanoparticles. Ultimately, the prospect and challenge of selective organ targeting nanoparticles are discussed by collecting the data of clinical trials and marketed drugs.

Complexes and Supramolecular Associates of Dodecyl-Containing Oligonucleotides with Serum Albumin

Serum albumin is currently in the focus of biomedical research as a promising platform for the creation of multicomponent self-assembling systems due to the presence of several sites with high binding affinity of various compounds in its molecule, including lipophilic oligonucleotide conjugates. In this work, we investigated the stoichiometry of the dodecyl-containing oligonucleotides binding to bovine and human serum albumins using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results indicate the formation of the albumin-oligonucleotide complexes with a stoichiometry of about 1 : (1.25 ± 0.25) under physiological-like conditions. Using atomic force microscopy, it was found that the interaction of human serum albumin with the duplex of complementary dodecyl-containing oligonucleotides resulted in the formation of circular associates with a diameter of 165.5 ± 94.3 nm and 28.9 ± 16.9 nm in height, and interaction with polydeoxyadenylic acid and dodecyl-containing oligothymidylate resulted in formation of supramolecular associates with the size of about 315.4 ± 70.9 and 188.3 ± 43.7 nm, respectively. The obtained data allow considering the dodecyl-containing oligonucleotides and albumin as potential components of the designed self-assembling systems for solving problems of molecular biology, biomedicine, and development of unique theranostics with targeted action.