Sugar alcohol-modified polyester nanoparticles for gene delivery selective caveolae-mediated endocytosis.

Nucleic acid-based drugs are changing the scope of emerging medicine in preventing and treating diseases. Nanoparticle systems based on lipids and polymers developed to navigate tissue-level and cellular-level barriers are now emerging as vector systems that can be translated to clinical settings. A class of polymers, poly(β-amino esters) (PBAEs) known for their chemical flexibility and biodegradability, has been explored for gene delivery.

Bioinspired synthesis of bioactive glass nanocomposites for hyaluronic acid delivery to bone and skin.

In this study, we present nanocomposites of bioactive glass (BG) and hyaluronic acid (HA) (nano-BGHA) for effective delivery of HA to skin and bone. The synthesis of the nanocomposites has been carried out through the bio-inspired method, which is a modification of the traditional Stober's synthesis as it avoids using ethanol, ammonia, synthetic surfactants, or high-temperature calcination. This environmentally friendly, bio-inspired route allowed the synthesis of mesoporous nanocomposites with an average hydrodynamic radius of ∼190 nm and an average net surface charge of ∼-21 mV.

Albumin Nanoparticles Surface Decorated with a Tumor-Homing Peptide Help in Selective Killing of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

In this article, we describe a method of delivery of doxorubicin using a novel tumor-homing peptide-based albumin nanoparticle system to triple-negative breast cancer cells (TNBC). The absence and reduced expression of the hormone (estrogen, progesterone) and HER2 (human epidermal growth factor 2) receptors, respectively, render TNBC patients nonsusceptible to different available targeted therapies. These peptide-modified nanoparticles could be taken up by TNBC cells more effectively than their bare counterparts.

Role of processing parameters in CVD grown crystalline monolayer MoSe.

The quality of as-synthesized monolayers plays a significant role in atomically thin semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) to determine the electronic and optical properties. For designing optoelectronic devices, exploring the effect of processing parameters on optical properties is a prerequisite. In this view, we present the influence of processing parameters on the lattice and quasiparticle dynamics of monolayer MoSe.

Surface-Engineered Mucus Penetrating Nucleic Acid Delivery Systems with Cell Penetrating Peptides for the Lungs.

Nucleic acids, both DNA and small RNAs, have emerged as potential therapeutics for the treatment of various lung disorders. However, delivery of nucleic acids to the lungs is challenging due to the barrier property imposed by mucus, which is further reinforced in disease conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. The presence of negatively charged mucins imparts the electrostatic barrier property, and the mesh network structure of mucus provides steric hindrance to the delivery system.

Hydrogel-mediated topical delivery of steroids can effectively alleviate psoriasis attenuating the autoimmune responses.

Psoriasis is a systemic, relapsing, and chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the skin. Topical use of betamethasone, a glucocorticoid, in the form of creams is a common treatment for psoriasis. However, topical use of these creams is challenging due to the ineffective entrapment of steroids, burst release of the entrapped drugs, poor skin permeability, and high toxicity.

A Combination of Synthetic Molecules Acts as Antifreeze for the Protection of Skin against Cold-Induced Injuries.

Seasonal and occupational exposure of the human body to extreme cold temperatures can result in cell death in the exposed area due to the formation of ice crystals. This leads to superficial or deep burn injury and compromised functionality. Currently available therapeutics can be ineffective in extreme cases, and thus, it is necessary to develop prophylactic strategies.

Topical Application of Peptide-Chondroitin Sulfate Nanoparticles Allows Efficient Photoprotection in Skin.

In this article, we describe a method of delivery of chondroitin sulfate to skin as nanoparticles and demonstrate its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant role using UV irradiation as a model condition. These nanoparticles, formed through electrostatic interactions of chondroitin sulfate with a skin-penetrating peptide, were found to be homogenous with positive surface charges and stable at physiological and acidic pH under certain conditions. They were able to enter into the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT), artificial skin membrane (mimicking the human skin), and mouse skin tissue unlike free chondroitin sulfate.