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Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Disease Treatment and Diagnosis

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A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 5757

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tianqing (Michelle) Liu

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Guest Editor

NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Interests: biomaterials; nanoparticles; drug delivery; cancer therapy; neurological disorder treatment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomimetic nanoparticles are a new group of nanoparticles that combine the functionality of biological materials with the flexibility of synthetic materials to overcome biological barriers and achieve improved targeting in complex biological systems. These biomimetic platforms include cell membrane-coated nanoparticles, DNA nanodevices, and other hybrid nanoparticles. They have demonstrated significant potential to increase therapeutic efficacy in disease treatment and diagnosis by combining natural biological functionality with the ability of synthetic structures to transport imaging reporters and therapeutic cargo. In addition, the incorporation of cell-based biological materials offers benefits such as immune escape, prolonged blood circulation time, and specific/precise targeting.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for prominent scientists from all over the world to showcase their work and discuss current progress in the use of biomimetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications.

Dr. Tianqing (Michelle) Liu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

biomimetic nanoparticles
nanostructure
coating materials
functionalization
programmable biomaterials
biological functions
targeting
biological membranes
DNA nanodevices
peptides and proteins
lipid
therapy
diagnosis

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Nanoparticles Loaded with Membrane-Impermeable Peptide AC3-I and Its Protective Effect on Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion

by Yi Liu, Yingyi Niu, Wenjie Zhang, Kaikai Wang, Tianqing Liu and Weizhong Zhu

Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(3), 416; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics16030416 - 18 Mar 2024

Viewed by 660

Abstract

Purpose: It is well known that inhibition of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) provides cardiac protection in cases of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. However, there are currently no cytoplasm-impermeable drugs that target CaMKII. The aim of this study was to develop curcumin albumin nanoparticles (HSA-CCM NPs) containing AC3-I and investigate their protective effects on hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injuries in adult rat cardiomyocytes and ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injuries in isolated rat hearts. Methods: HSA-CCM NPs were synthesized using β-ME methods, while the membrane-impermeable peptide AC3-I was covalently linked via a disulfide bond to synthesize AC3-I@HSA-CCM NPs (AC3-I@NPs). Nanoparticle stability and drug release were characterized. To assess the cardiomyocyte uptake of AC3-I@NPs, AC3-I@NPs were incubated with cardiomyocytes under normoxia and hypoxia, respectively. The cardioprotective effect of AC3-I@NPs was determined by using a lactate dehydrogenase kit (LDH) and PI/Hoechst staining. The phosphorylation of phospholamban (p-PLB) was detected by Western blotting in hypoxia–reoxygenation and electric field stimulation models. To further investigate the protective role of AC3-I@NPs against myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury, we collected coronary effluents and measured creatine kinase (CK) and LDH release in Langendorff rat hearts. Results:AC3-I@NPs were successfully prepared and characterized. Both HSA-CCM NPs and AC3-I@NPs were taken up by cardiomyocytes. AC3-I@NPs protected cardiomyocytes from injury caused by hypoxia–reoxygenation, as demonstrated by decreased cardiomyocyte death and LDH release. AC3-I@NPs reduced p-PLB levels evoked by hypoxia–reoxygenation and electrical field stimulation in adult rat cardiac myocytes. AC3-I@NPs decreased the release of LDH and CK from coronary effluents. Conclusions: AC3-I@NPs showed protective effects against myocardial injuries induced by hypoxia–reoxygenation in cardiomyocytes and ischemia–reperfusion in isolated hearts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Disease Treatment and Diagnosis)

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20 pages, 2780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Targeted Therapy of Acute Liver Injury via Cryptotanshinone-Loaded Biomimetic Nanoparticles Derived from Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Driven by Homing

by Xin Zhang, Yao Yi, Yuanyuan Jiang, Jinqiu Liao, Ruiwu Yang, Xuexue Deng and Li Zhang

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(12), 2764; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics15122764 - 12 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Acute liver injury (ALI) has the potential to compromise hepatic function rapidly, with severe cases posing a considerable threat to human health and wellbeing. Conventional treatments, such as the oral administration of antioxidants, can inadvertently lead to liver toxicity and other unwanted side effects. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can target therapeutic agents directly to inflammatory sites owing to their homing effect, and they offer a promising avenue for the treatment of ALI. However, the efficacy and feasibility of these live cell products are hampered by challenges associated with delivery pathways and safety concerns. Therefore, in this work, MSC membranes were ingeniously harnessed as protective shells to encapsulate synthesized PLGA nanoparticle cores (PLGA/MSCs). This strategic approach enabled nanoparticles to simulate endogenous substances and yielded a core–shell nano-biomimetic structure. The biomimetic nanocarrier remarkably maintained the homing ability of MSCs to inflammatory sites. In this study, cryptotanshinone (CPT)-loaded PLGA/MSCs (CPT@PLGA/MSC) were prepared. These nanoparticles can be effectively internalized by LO2 cells. They reduced cellular oxidative stress and elevated inflammatory levels. In vivo results suggested that, after intravenous administration, CPT@PLGA/MSCs significantly reduced uptake by the reticuloendothelial system and immune recognition compared to PLGA nanoparticles without MSC membrane coatings, subsequently resulting in their targeted and enhanced accumulation in the liver. The effectiveness of CPT@PLGA/MSCs in alleviating carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in a mouse model was unequivocally demonstrated through comprehensive histological examination and liver function tests. This study introduces a pioneering strategy with substantial potential for ALI treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Disease Treatment and Diagnosis)

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Review

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25 pages, 1758 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bio-Inspired Nanocarriers Derived from Stem Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles for Targeted Drug Delivery

by Munire Abudurexiti, Yue Zhao, Xiaoling Wang, Lu Han, Tianqing Liu, Chengwei Wang and Zhixiang Yuan

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(7), 2011; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics15072011 - 24 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1580

Abstract

With their seemingly limitless capacity for self-improvement, stem cells have a wide range of potential uses in the medical field. Stem-cell-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs), as paracrine components of stem cells, are natural nanoscale particles that transport a variety of biological molecules and facilitate cell-to-cell communication which have been also widely used for targeted drug delivery. These nanocarriers exhibit inherent advantages, such as strong cell or tissue targeting and low immunogenicity, which synthetic nanocarriers lack. However, despite the tremendous therapeutic potential of stem cells and EVs, their further clinical application is still limited by low yield and a lack of standardized isolation and purification protocols. In recent years, inspired by the concept of biomimetics, a new approach to biomimetic nanocarriers for drug delivery has been developed through combining nanotechnology and bioengineering. This article reviews the application of biomimetic nanocarriers derived from stem cells and their EVs in targeted drug delivery and discusses their advantages and challenges in order to stimulate future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Disease Treatment and Diagnosis)

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22 pages, 5185 KiB

Open AccessReview

Research Progress of Neutrophil-Mediated Drug Delivery Strategies for Inflammation-Related Disease

by Yang Zhao, Haigang Zhang, Qixiong Zhang and Hui Tao

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(7), 1881; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pharmaceutics15071881 - 04 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1867

Abstract

As the most abundant white blood cells in humans, neutrophils play a key role in acute and chronic inflammation, suggesting that these cells are a key component of targeted therapies for various inflammation-related diseases. Specific enzyme-responsive or specific ligand-modified polymer nanoparticles are beneficial for improving drug efficacy, reducing toxicity, and enhancing focal site retention. However, there remain significant challenges in biomedical applications of these synthetic polymer nanoparticles, mainly due to their rapid clearance by the reticuloendothelial system. In recent years, biomimetic drug delivery systems such as neutrophils acting directly as drug carriers or neutrophil-membrane-coated nanoparticles have received increasing attention due to the natural advantages of neutrophils. Thus, neutrophil-targeted, neutrophil-assisted, or neutrophil-coated nanoparticles exhibit a prolonged blood circulation time and improved accumulation at the site of inflammation. Despite recent advancements, further clinical research must be performed to evaluate neutrophil-based delivery systems for future biomedical application in the diagnosis and treatment of related inflammatory diseases. In this review, we have summarized new exciting developments and challenges in neutrophil-mediated drug delivery strategies for treating inflammation-related diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Disease Treatment and Diagnosis)

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