Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Rachel J. Kulchar, Rahul Singh, Suwan Ding, Elena Alexander, Henry Daniell, Kam W. Leong
Summary: Biologics are often unaffordable due to high costs of fermentation, purification, and cold chain requirements. During the pandemic, limitations in production and delivery systems were evident, with a small percentage of vaccines reaching low-income countries and doses being wasted due to lack of cold-chain infrastructure. Most FDA-approved biologics are delivered invasively, while oral or topical drugs are preferred by patients. However, only a few oral drugs have been approved since 2015. The recent launch of an oral biologic with significantly reduced costs highlights the potential for simplified regulatory processes. Topical delivery offers targeted delivery of high concentration protein drugs, but there are limited FDA-approved options. This review discusses advancements in oral and topical delivery methods and suggests future directions for research.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nooshin Tasharrofi, Mohammad Nourozi, Abdolrazagh Marzban
Summary: The eye is a highly specialized organ, and delivering drugs to it is challenging. The development of novel drug delivery systems, like nanoparticles, offers potential solutions. This review focuses on liposomes as effective carriers and their impact on ocular drug delivery.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Onyinye Uwaezuoke, Lisa C. Du Toit, Pradeep Kumar, Naseer Ally, Yahya E. Choonara
Summary: This study investigated the potential use of transferosomes for delivering cyclosporine A to the eye. Linoleic acid was found to improve the stability and size of the transferosomes. Tween(R)-based formulation was preferred due to its lower toxicity profile. The prepared transferosomes showed significant drug release and adequate corneal permeability, remaining stable for four months at low temperature.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Priyanka Agarwal, Ilva D. Rupenthal Buchanan
Summary: Topical eyedrop application is the preferred route for drug delivery to anterior segment tissues. However, the use of aqueous vehicles with additives and preservatives elevates their toxicity potential. Non-aqueous vehicles have been suggested as efficient alternatives, but they remain poorly researched and few formulations are available. This review challenges the conventional hypothesis and establishes a rationale for using non-aqueous vehicles for ocular drug delivery.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jose Javier Lopez-Cano, Miriam Ana Gonzalez-Cela-Casamayor, Vanessa Andres-Guerrero, Rocio Herrero-Vanrell, Irene Teresa Molina-Martinez
Summary: The development of ophthalmic formulations using liposomes has been a popular topic in recent years. Understanding the physiological and anatomical structures of the eye is crucial for the design of effective liposomal formulations. Liposomes offer an effective, safe, and versatile strategy for the treatment of ocular diseases, with the potential for using specific biomaterials to enhance therapeutic properties.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DELIVERY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Negar Mirzazadeh Dizaji, Yi Lin, Thomas Bein, Ernst Wagner, Stefan Wuttke, Ulrich Laechelt, Hanna Engelke
Summary: Biomimetic mineralization of proteins and nucleic acids into hybrid metal-organic nanoparticles allows for protection and cellular delivery of these biomolecules. In this study, amorphous iron-fumarate nanoparticles were synthesized under mild acidic conditions in water to encapsulate various proteins and ribonucleoproteins. The resulting nanoparticles preserved the activity of the biomolecules and successfully delivered them into cells, even under challenging conditions.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shery Jacob, Anroop B. Nair, Jigar Shah, Sumeet Gupta, Sai H. S. Boddu, Nagaraja Sreeharsha, Alex Joseph, Pottathil Shinu, Mohamed A. Morsy
Summary: Targeted drug delivery to ocular tissues is a challenging task due to their complicated anatomical and physical properties. Biocompatible and biodegradable lipid nanoparticles have emerged as a potential solution to overcome ocular barriers and improve the therapeutic efficacy. Lipid-based nanocarrier systems offer advantages such as increased bioavailability, sustained drug release, and decreased dosing frequency. Additionally, these formulations can be administered as patient-friendly droppable preparations without causing discomfort.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ghazala Begum, Thomas Leigh, David Stanley, Ann Logan, Richard James Blanch
Summary: By conducting this study, it was found that acid and alkaline ocular chemical injuries disrupt the corneal epithelial barrier function differently. Acidic injury reduces the penetration of hydrophilic fluorescein and hydrophobic dexamethasone and rhodamine B, while alkaline injury increases fluorescein penetration with minimal effect on dexamethasone and rhodamine B penetration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhishu Bao, Ailing Yu, Hui Shi, Yuhan Hu, Bo Jin, Dan Lin, Mali Dai, Lei Lei, Xingyi Li, Yuqin Wang
Summary: In this study, a glycol chitosan/oxidized hyaluronic acid hydrogel film for dual ophthalmic drug delivery was fabricated successfully. The hydrogel films exhibited a stepwise release of levofloxacin and dexamethasone, demonstrating potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Yingjia Yang, Alastair Lockwood
Summary: The eye is a complex organ with multiple barriers that restrict drug delivery, leading to low bioavailability of commercially available ophthalmic drugs. This paper reviews the mechanisms that impede drug delivery on the ocular surface and discusses methods and novel technologies to improve bioavailability.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Mizuki Kita, Kazutaka Kanai, Hiroki Mitsuhashi, Tomoki Noguchi, Noriaki Nagai, Mizuki Yamaguchi, Yuya Otaka, Rina Kudo, Yohei Yamashita, Kazuki Tajima
Summary: The study demonstrated that magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles (nMH) can improve the ocular hypotensive effect of timolol maleate (TM) without enhancing its side effects. The fixed combination of nMH-TM may be more effective for lowering intraocular pressure in dogs compared to TM alone.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Beatriz Silva, Lidia M. Goncalves, Berta Sao Braz, Esmeralda Delgado
Summary: This study explored the possibility of delivering EPO beta to the posterior segment of the eye using a chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticulate system via topical instillation. The results showed that topical administration of CS/HA nanoparticles did not cause adverse ocular effects and had no significant impact on microhematocrits or electroretinography. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated the presence of EPO beta in the retina for up to 21 days after administration. In conclusion, topical administration of CS/HA nanoparticles could efficiently deliver EPO beta to the retina and has the potential for retinal neuroprotection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sofia M. Saraiva, Lucia Martin-Banderas, Matilde Duran-Lobato
Summary: The interest in using cannabinoids for medical applications, especially in treating eye conditions, has been growing. However, due to the unfavorable properties of cannabinoids and barriers for local administration in the eye, drug delivery systems are needed. This review focuses on identifying eye diseases that could be treated with cannabinoids, reviewing formulation properties, evaluating cannabinoid-based formulations for ocular administration, and exploring potential alternative formulations for eye administration.
Review
Polymer Science
Yongkang Wu, Qing Tao, Jing Xie, Lili Lu, Xiuli Xie, Yang Zhang, Yong Jin
Summary: Nanogels have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in ocular applications, overcoming the limitations of traditional ocular preparations and achieving controlled and sustained drug delivery. They have higher drug-loading capacity and biocompatibility compared to other nanocarriers.
Article
Biology
Hang Yi, Yu Feng, Heather Gappa-Fahlenkamp
Summary: This study developed a physiologically realistic virtual human eye model validated by experiments to predict the distribution of drug concentrations in both time and space. The effect of administration frequency and interval on drug concentration was investigated using computational fluid dynamics. The results indicate that the administration frequency significantly affects the temporal concentration distribution in the eye compartments, and shorter administration intervals can help maintain a higher concentration in the initial hours.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenping Cao, Rui Liu, Chuhan Wang, Sisi Lin, Lu Wang, Yan Pang
Summary: A method for visualizing gut microbiota derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) has been developed by preparing nanoprobes with fluorescence-activating and absorption-shifting tag. These nanoprobes can track gut microbiota associated OMVs anaerobically and demonstrate flexibility in fluorescence turn-on/off and reversible switchable emission bands for intelligent and dual-color imaging. The behaviors of microbiota OMVs, including inhibiting pathogenic strains and repairing the intestinal barrier, have been tracked and identified in the gut. These findings suggest the potential of OMVs in remitting inflammation in colitis. This work provides an approach to visualize the dynamics of the gut microbiota and uncover potential targets for disease intervention.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hejin Jiang, Rui Liu, Lu Wang, Xinyue Wang, Mengmeng Zhang, Sisi Lin, Zhenping Cao, Feng Wu, Yingbin Liu, Jinyao Liu
Summary: Chirality plays a critical role in biological systems, and this study demonstrates the potential of using supramolecular chiral polymer micelles (SCPMs) to activate the immune system for disease prevention and treatment.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Liu, Mengmeng Zhang, Xinyue Wang, Fengmin Yang, Zhenping Cao, Lu Wang, Jinyao Liu
Summary: This article reports a method of treating cancer and protecting susceptible patients from lethal infections (such as COVID-19) by dressing bacteria with a hybrid immunoactive nanosurface. The dressed bacteria release immunoactivators to stimulate immune cells, promoting immune responses against tumors and viruses.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kaikai Xue, Lu Wang, Jinyao Liu
Summary: Bacteria have been widely used as therapeutic agents for immunotherapy, but there are safety issues and poor treatment efficacy due to the dependence on dosage. Therefore, a promising strategy is to modify the surface of bacteria to carry additional immune modulators, which can reduce the bacterial dose and enhance immune responses. This paper introduces the immunomodulation mediated by bacteria and the mechanisms involved, and summarizes the applications of surface modification approaches in improving immune functions.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Biomedical
Lu Wang, Jinyao Liu
Summary: The targeted delivery of butyrate to the lower gastrointestinal tract using polymeric nanoscale micelles restores intestinal homeostasis in mouse models of peanut allergy and colitis.
NATURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haiyan Guo, Zhenping Cao, Juanjuan Li, Zhenzhen Fu, Sisi Lin, Lu Wang, Jinyao Liu
Summary: Photosensitizer-based therapy faces limitations such as weak and easily attenuated photosensitive effects, poor tumor penetration and retention, and the need for multiple irradiation. In this study, bacteria were engineered to express melanin and coated with synthetic photosensitizers, forming a ternary combination for photoacoustic imaging-guided photothermal therapy. The integrated bacteria exhibited stable triple photoacoustic and photothermal effects under monochromatic irradiation, and were able to preferentially colonize hypoxic tumor tissue and generate uniform imaging signals and sufficient heating upon laser irradiation. The results showed inhibited tumor growth and extended survival in different tumor-bearing mouse models, suggesting the potential of bacteria-based innovative photosensitizers for imaging-guided therapy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhongmin Geng, Xinyue Wang, Feng Wu, Zhenping Cao, Jinyao Liu
Summary: This study presents a cytocompatible approach of biointerface mineralization to generate an ultraresistant and self-removable coating on bacterial surface, addressing the challenges faced by bacteria during the manufacturing process. The mineral coating provides bacteria with resistance against oxygen exposure, ultraviolet irradiation, and ethanol. Upon oral ingestion, the coating actively neutralizes gastric acid and releases encapsulated bacteria through a rapid double-decomposition reaction. Furthermore, the generated calcium ions trigger bile acid micellar aggregation, enabling dual exemptions from gastric acid and bile acid insults for uncompromised bacterial viability. Supported by therapeutic efficacy in colitis mice, biointerface mineralization offers a versatile platform for developing next-generation living oral biotherapeutics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinyue Wang, Sisi Lin, Lu Wang, Zhenping Cao, Mengmeng Zhang, Yifan Zhang, Rui Liu, Jinyao Liu
Summary: Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) released by Akkermansia muciniphila can restore gut microbiota balance, stimulate mucosal immunoglobulin A response, and maintain intestinal barrier integrity by entering intestinal epithelial cells. Transplanting gut microbiota-derived OMVs can alleviate colitis and enhance anti-PD-1 therapy against colorectal cancer. This study highlights the important role of gut microbiota-derived OMVs in intestinal ecology and provides a new target for disease intervention and treatment.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Guocheng Xie, Sisi Lin, Feng Wu, Jinyao Liu
Summary: The low bioavailability and side effects of conventional drugs for eye disease have led to the development of efficient drug delivery systems using nanomaterials. This review highlights the unique functions of nanomaterials for carrying and transporting ocular drugs, as well as various strategies to enhance their performance. The current applications and limitations of nanomaterial-based delivery systems in treating ocular diseases are discussed.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chao Pan, Lu Wang, Mengmeng Zhang, Juanjuan Li, Junqiu Liu, Jinyao Liu
Summary: Introduces a new immunization strategy called in situ polymerization-mediated antigen presentation (IPAP), which allows antigen-loaded nanovaccines to spontaneously form and efficiently anchor onto dendritic cells in vivo through co-deposition with dopamine. IPAP promotes antigen presentation by increasing cell uptake and reducing antigen degradation. It prolongs antigen duration and enhances accumulation in lymph nodes, resulting in strong antigen-specific immune responses. IPAP is applicable for different antigens and overcomes the disadvantages of complex preparation and purification processes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhenzhen Fu, Lu Wang, Haiyan Guo, Sisi Lin, Wei Huang, Yan Pang
Summary: This study presents a method for preparing bacterial flagellum-drug nanoconjugates for carrier-free immunochemotherapy. The conjugates show long-term tumor retention, highly efficient cell internalization, and robust elicitation of systemic antitumor immune responses. Meanwhile, the conjugated chemotherapeutics exhibit an acid-mediated release profile and durable intratumoral exposure, which can induce potent tumor cell inhibition via direct killing. This combination enhances the immunoactivation effects associated with chemotherapy-enabled immunogenic tumor cell death, further enhancing antitumor efficacy.
Review
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Yun Su, Xianqun Fan, Yan Pang
Summary: Numerous novel nano-based ocular drug delivery systems have been developed to overcome the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems and have shown promising results in ocular disease models and clinical practice. Topical instillation of eye drops is the most common route for administering therapeutics to the eye, but efficiently treating posterior ocular diseases through this route remains a major challenge. Efforts have been dedicated to developing novel nano-based drug delivery systems that facilitate drug delivery to the retina by increasing retention time, promoting drug penetration, and targeting specific cells or tissues.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiao Kuang, Ying Liu, Huilong Luo, Qian Li, Feng Wu, Chunhai Fan, Jinyao Liu
Summary: A triggerable prodrug nanocoating is reported for combination treatment, addressing the limitations of current combination strategies. The nanocoating enables the on-demand activation of living microbial and small-molecular therapeutics, leading to enhanced treatment efficacy.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hejin Jiang, Zhenping Cao, Ying Liu, Rui Liu, Yan Zhou, Jinyao Liu
Summary: This review discusses the strategies for preparing bacteria-based living probes, including biological engineering, chemical modification, intracellular loading, and optical manipulation. It summarizes the recent progress of these probes in different imaging modalities and highlights their applications in bioimaging and diagnosis of bacterial infections, cancers, and intestine-associated diseases. The advantages, challenges, and future perspectives of bacteria-based living probes are also discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangjie Chen, Mengmeng Zhang, Fengmin Yang, Lu Wang, Jinyao Liu, Junqiu Liu, Yan Pang
Summary: This study presents the development of dual-antigen-displaying nanovaccines to treat cancer and prevent infection. The nanovaccines are shown to reverse immune suppression and delay tumor growth while inducing protective immune responses.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xintong Zhang, Yanhong Liu, Wei Liu, Liqing Chen, Mingji Jin, Zhonggao Gao, Wei Huang
Summary: This study developed a macrophage-hitchhiking gene delivery system for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The system demonstrated excellent targeting ability and nuclear entry ability, leading to efficient transfection of interleukin-10 in macrophages and alleviation of inflammation symptoms. This research provides a novel strategy for gene therapy and gene delivery system design for rheumatoid arthritis and other similar inflammatory diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Richard K. Cross, Dave Spurgeon, Claus Svendsen, Elma Lahive, Simon Little, Frank von der Kammer, Frederic Loosli, Marianne Matzke, Teresa F. Fernandes, Vicki Stone, Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg, Eric A. J. Bleeker
Summary: Even small changes in physicochemical properties of nanoforms (NFs) can influence their environmental fate and hazard. Testing and characterizing each individual NF will not be feasible due to the large number of new materials being developed. Targeting the most relevant form of the NF for a given exposure is important for efficient risk assessment. In aquatic systems, functional fate processes play a key role in determining the exposure relevant form of NFs. Grouping of NFs and read-across based on functional fate pathways can be justified by considering the shared fate and hazard profile. A new Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) is presented, focusing on dissolution, dispersion stability, chemical transformations, and the contribution to toxicity from particles and dissolved components. This IATA can be used as a template for future in vivo kinetic assessments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minhui Lu, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Lijun Cai, Jingjing Gan, Jinglin Wang, Yu Wang, Yuanjin Zhao
Summary: Researchers have proposed a novel black phosphorus-loaded hydrogel inverse opal microneedle patch that exhibits photothermal responsive capacity and vivid structural color screening for psoriasis treatment. With improved materials, structures, and functions, the microneedle patch enables intelligent drug delivery and enhances drug loading and controllable release.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qianyun Tang, Dandan Wang, Jinhui Cui, Yiheng Zhang, Junyang Mei, Jing Du, Anyue Xia, Qian Sun, Dan Luo, Baosan Han, Mingzhe Gan, Peifeng Liu
Summary: This study presents a novel microfluidic platform for precise and flexible control of oxygen concentrations in microbial suspension culture. The platform demonstrates unique capabilities for spatiotemporal gas control and detection, allowing for applications in screening, studying, and culturing industrial or niche-specific environmental microbiomes.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiaen Wu, Hao Chen, Jiawei Xu, Muhammad Saif Ur Rahman, Shengmei Li, Jie Wang, Shifen Huang, Charles C. Han, Shanshan Xu, Ying Liu
Summary: This review categorizes the potential health risks of microplastic pollution by focusing on the three primary pollution sources. It provides an in-depth analysis of the pharmacokinetics, toxicity potential, and biological mechanism of microplastics in the human body. The review aims to fill knowledge gaps about the toxicity of microplastics on human health and provide ideas for repairing the damage caused by microplastics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fanshu Ma, Yi Cao, Jincong Yan, Zhongzhong Lu, Lina Sun, Zahid Hussain, Zheng Wang, Li Wang, Renjun Pei
Summary: This study proposes a simple yet powerful method to create multifunctional hybrid nanovesicles that combine the characteristics of oncolytic viruses and pyroptosis, leading to enhanced tumor targeting and improved immune response. The results demonstrate excellent tumor inhibition efficacy against melanoma and pulmonary metastasis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangmian Wei, Johannes Karges, Siyuan Gao, Lili Wang, Xiting Zhang, Xing-Can Shen, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: This study presents the coordination of Ru(II) polypyridine complexes to graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets for oxygen-self-sufficient two-photon photodynamic immunotherapy. The conjugates were found with strong two-photon absorption and could generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cell death and inhibit tumor growth through immune system activation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Weiwei Zheng, Shun-Yu Yao, Haijun Hu, Xiping Chen, Zhefeng Qian, Wenxing Liu, Yang Zhu, Zhengwei Mao, Dong-Sheng Guo, Changyou Gao
Summary: In this study, a hypoxia-responsive self-assembled peptide hydrogel was prepared for ischemic stroke treatment. The hydrogel showed the ability to release drugs and effectively improve motor function, reduce infarct volume, and alleviate inflammation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qianqian Qiao, Jinyu Wang, Kai Long, Linwei Li, Jiahao Chen, Yuhao Guo, Ziqiang Xu, Ying Kuang, Tianjiao Ji, Cao Li
Summary: This study developed a catalytic system using titanium-based MXene nanosheets to load enzymes and anticancer drugs. The nanosheets demonstrated catalase-like activity and photothermal capability, enabling enhanced cancer treatment through starvation therapy and alleviation of hypoxia. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the effective anticancer capability of this enzyme cascade system.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shiyang Wu, Yan He, Ruiqi Zhou, Chunlin Chen, Dawei Chen, Haiyang Hu
Summary: In this research, LDHA@MIP-DSD nanoparticles were designed to enhance the effectiveness of immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer immunotherapy. LDHA@MIP-DSD improved the accessibility of nanodrugs to cancer cells by surface imprinting LDHA and induced autophagy with SLN. The combination of these two effects resulted in optimal immune stimulation and antitumor efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xu Zhang, Kejian Shi, Jiahui Mao, Kerou Mao, Yangrui Jia, Jiakun Zhang, Qingzhen Wang, Ru Bai, Fene Gao, Shihui Liu, Mengyu Guo, Fenglan Qin, Shengmin Li, Chunying Chen, Huige Zhou, Jing Liu, Fulin Chen
Summary: Compared with vein injection, oral administration is a preferred non-invasive and self-help treatment option for cancer therapy. However, the harsh gastrointestinal tract and biological barriers limit the stability and efficiency of oral drug delivery systems. To overcome these challenges, researchers have developed Cyssome, a drug delivery platform that can maintain stability in harsh environments, penetrate biological barriers, and improve drug release and bioavailability.
