Mineralizing Gelatin Microparticles as Cell Carrier and Drug Delivery System for siRNA for Bone Tissue Engineering

Research hotspots and trends of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles for drug delivery: a bibliometric and visualization analysis from 2013 to 2023

Introduction

Our study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in drug delivery research, focusing on the period between 2013 and 2023. Given the increasing global interest in this field, we utilized bibliometric tools to explore publication trends, key contributors, and thematic research clusters.

Methods

Data was collected from the Web of Science (WoS) database, and an in-depth bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer. The analysis encompassed bibliographic coupling, co-citation, co-authorship, and co-occurrence trends, offering a structured insight into global research activity. We also employed Citespace to further analyze thematic clusters in this domain.

Results

Our analysis revealed a total of 1,045 publications related to MSC-EVs in drug delivery over the past decade, showing a steady increase in research output. China led in publication count, H-index, prolific authors, and research funding, while the United States ranked highest in total citations, average citation counts, and H-index performance. Pharmaceutics emerged as the leading journal by publication volume, with the Journal of Controlled Release having the strongest total link strength. Top institutions driving research included Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, and Harvard University. VOSviewer analysis identified four major research clusters: tissue engineering, cancer, neurological diseases, and targeted delivery. Citespace analysis refined this further into ten thematic areas, including differentiation, tissue regeneration, and drug resistance.

Discussion

This bibliometric assessment provides a holistic visualization of the research landscape for MSC-EVs in drug delivery, underlining the significant contributions of China and the United States. Our findings underscore the increasing global importance of MSC-EV research and highlight emerging themes that will likely guide future research directions. The insights from this study offer a foundational framework for identifying nascent frontiers in MSC-EV-based drug delivery.

Emerging delivery systems based on aqueous two-phase systems: A review

The aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is an all-aqueous system fabricated from two immiscible aqueous phases. It is spontaneously assembled through physical liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and can create suitable templates like the multicompartment of the intracellular environment. Delicate structures containing multiple compartments make it possible to endow materials with advanced functions. Due to the properties of ATPSs, ATPS-based drug delivery systems exhibit excellent biocompatibility, extraordinary loading efficiency, and intelligently controlled content release, which are particularly advantageous for delivering drugs in vivo . Therefore, we will systematically review and evaluate ATPSs as an ideal drug delivery system. Based on the basic mechanisms and influencing factors in forming ATPSs, the transformation of ATPSs into valuable biomaterials is described. Afterward, we concentrate on the most recent cutting-edge research on ATPS-based delivery systems. Finally, the potential for further collaborations between ATPS-based drug-carrying biomaterials and disease diagnosis and treatment is also explored.

Biopolymer Micro/Nanogel Particles as Smart Drug Delivery and Theranostic Systems

In recent years, micro/nanogels have become an important topic of interdisciplinary research, especially in the fields of polymer chemistry and material science, with a focus on their use in drug delivery applications [...].

Lipid Microparticles Show Similar Efficacy With Lipid Nanoparticles in Delivering mRNA and Preventing Cancer

PURPOSE

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has shown great promise for vaccine against both infectious diseases and cancer. However, mRNA is unstable and requires a delivery vehicle for efficient cellular uptake and degradation protection. So far, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represent the most advanced delivery platform for mRNA delivery. However, no published studies have compared lipid microparticles (LMPs) with lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in delivering mRNA systematically, therefore, we compared the impact of particle size on delivery efficacy of mRNA vaccine and subsequent immune responses.

METHODS

Herein, we prepared 3 different size lipid particles, from nano-sized to micro-sized, and they loaded similar amounts of mRNA. These lipid particles were investigated both in vitro and in vivo, followed by evaluating the impact of particle size on inducing cellular and humoral immune responses.

RESULTS

In this study, all mRNA vaccines showed a robust immune response and lipid microparticles (LMPs) show similar efficacy with lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in delivering mRNA and preventing cancer. In addition, immune adjuvants, either toll like receptors or active molecules from traditional Chinese medicine, can improve the efficacy of mRNA vaccines.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the efficiency of delivery and endocytosis, besides lipid nanoparticles with size smaller than 150 nm, lipid microparticles (LMPs) also have the potential to be an alternative and promising delivery system for mRNA vaccines.

New Hope for Treating Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Microsphere-Based Delivery System

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) has been considered the dominant factor in low back pain (LBP), and its etiological mechanisms are complex and not yet fully elucidated. To date, the treatment of IVDD has mainly focused on relieving clinical symptoms and cannot fundamentally solve the problem. Recently, a novel microsphere-based therapeutic strategy has held promise for IVD regeneration and has yielded encouraging results with in vitro experiments and animal models. With excellent injectability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, this microsphere carrier allows for targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs, gene regulatory sequences, and other bioactive substances and supports cell implantation and directed differentiation, aiming to improve the disease state of IVD at the source. This review discusses the possible mechanisms of IVDD and the limitations of current therapies, focusing on the application of microsphere delivery systems in IVDD, including targeted delivery of active substances and drugs, cellular therapy, and gene therapy, and attempts to provide a new understanding for the treatment of IVDD.