Nanotechnology applications and approaches for neuroregeneration and drug delivery to the central nervous system

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the science and engineering concerned with the design, synthesis, and characterization of materials and devices that have a functional organization in at least one dimension on the nanometer (i.e., one billionth of a meter) scale. The potential impact of bottom up self-assembling nanotechnology, custom made molecules that self-assemble or self-organize into higher ordered structures in response to a defined chemical or physical cue, and top down lithographic type technologies where detail is engineered at smaller scales starting from bulk materials, stems from the fact that these nanoengineered materials and devices exhibit emergent mesocale and macroscale chemical and physical properties that are often different than their constituent nanoscale building block molecules or materials. As such, applications of nanotechnology to medicine and biology allow the interaction and integration of cells and tissues with nanoengineered substrates at a molecular (i.e., subcellular) level with a very high degree of functional specificity and control. This review considers applications of nanotechnology aimed at the neuroprotection and functional regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) following traumatic or degenerative insults, and nanotechnology approaches for delivering drugs and other small molecules across the blood-brain barrier. It also discusses developing platform technologies that may prove to have broad applications to medicine and physiology, including some being developed for rescuing or replacing anatomical and/or functional CNS structures.

Sialic acid (SA)-modified selenium nanoparticles coated with a high blood–brain barrier permeability peptide-B6 peptide for potential use in Alzheimer’s disease

“…In brief, bEnd.3 cells were seeded onto the inside of the insert above the membrane at an initial density of 1×10 5 …”

“…However, the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to the brain also is severely limited by the presence of the BBB [1][2][3][4]. To overcome this barrier, many delivery strategies have been attempted, such as local injection, induction of enhanced permeability and targeted delivery [5][6][7]. Unfortunately, delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents across the BBB is still a major challenge for Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as for many other neurological diseases.…”

Cytotoxic and antiangiogenic paclitaxel solubilized and permeation-enhanced by natural product nanoparticles

“…Although existing nanoparticle formulations appear to be conceptually sound, succeeding in both delivery efficiency and safety may require major advancements of nanotechnology to adequately address their limitations. These include the insolubility of the nanoparticles which often requires an effective solubilizing ingredient for “coating” [44], the complexity (e.g., multiple layers) and concomitant stability and manufacturing cost, and the potential toxicity of synthetic ingredients.…”

Enabling dual cellular destinations of polymeric nanoparticles for treatment following partial injury to the central nervous system

“…Engineered polymer nanoparticles are non-toxic, 25 can encapsulate therapeutic agents and may deliver them to a specific target with the aid of a targeting moiety, [26][27][28][29][30] thereby potentially overcoming poor bioavailability and off-target side-effects.…”