Dendrimers as Modulators of Brain Cells

Abstract

Nanostructured hyperbranched macromolecules have been extensively studied at the chemical, physical and morphological levels. The cellular structural and functional complexity of neural cells and their cross-talk have made it rather difficult to evaluate dendrimer effects in a mixed population of glial cells and neurons. Thus, we are at a relatively early stage of bench-to-bedside translation, and this is due mainly to the lack of data valuable for clinical investigations. It is only recently that techniques have become available that allow for analyses of biological processes inside the living cells, at the nanoscale, in real time. This review summarizes the essential properties of neural cells and dendrimers, and provides a cross-section of biological, pre-clinical and early clinical studies, where dendrimers were used as nanocarriers. It also highlights some examples of biological studies employing dendritic polyglycerol sulfates and their effects on glia and neurons. It is the aim of this review to encourage young scientists to advance mechanistic and technological approaches in dendrimer research so that these extremely versatile and attractive nanostructures gain even greater recognition in translational medicine.

Optimization of iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI-guided magnetic hyperthermia tumor therapy: reassessing the role of shape in their magnetocaloric effect

“…Cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of MNPs from 0.1 to 100 mg mL À1 . Clear evidence of morphological changes was observed in cells exposed to IO cb , with amoeboid form (indicative of activated/pathological microglia), 53,54 whereas cells exposed to IO sp exhibited spheric form, similar to the control (Fig. 2(a)-(c)).…”

Dendrimer-Mediated Delivery of DNA and RNA Vaccines

“…Multivalent interactions can be collectively much stronger than the corresponding monovalent interactions, in particular through multiple ligand-receptor interactions. Dendrimers, which are inherently multivalent species, are widely used in different fields of science and technology, such as catalysis [31], biomaterials [32,33], regenerative and cell biology [34][35][36][37], and nanomedicine [38][39][40][41].…”

NMR Studies of Two Lysine Based Dendrimers with Insertion of Similar Histidine-Arginine and Arginine-Histidine Spacers Having Different Properties for Application in Drug Delivery

“…The search for new drugs and methods for their safe delivery, as well as the encouraging results of cytological studies of dendrimers [ 22 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], inspire researchers to develop new dendrimer macromolecules [ 38 , 39 ]. The possibility of step-by-step synthesis allows control over their structure and composition, as well as permitting the introduction of functional groups into the core, inner, or terminal segments.…”