Can leptin-derived sequence-modified nanoparticles be suitable tools for brain delivery?

Aim: In order to increase the knowledge on the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in brain targeting, this article describes the conjugation of the sequence 12-32 (g21) of leptin to poly-lactide-co-glycolide NPs. The capability of these modified NPs to reach the brain was evaluated in rats after intravenous administration.

Materials & Methods: The g21 was linked on the surface of NPs labeled with tetramethylrhodamine by means of the Avidin-Biotin technology.

Investigation on mechanisms of glycopeptide nanoparticles for drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

Aim: Nanoneuroscience, based on the use polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), represents an emerging field of research for achieving an effective therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) glyco-heptapetide-conjugated NPs (g7-NPs) were shown to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, the in vivo mechanisms of the BBB crossing of this kind of NP has not been investigated until now.

Sialic acid as a potential approach for the protection and targeting of nanocarriers.

Introduction: Nanocarriers are considered to be one of the most innovative drug delivery systems, owing to their high potential in drug protection, delivery and targeting to the diseased site. Unfortunately, their applicability is hampered mainly by their uptake, due to macrophagic recognition and lack of specificity, if not properly engineered.

Areas Covered: Sialic acid (SA) and its derivatives have recently been studied in order to govern their stealthness as carriers and their effectiveness as targeting moieties.

AFM, ESEM, TEM, and CLSM in liposomal characterization: a comparative study.

An outstanding aspect of pharmaceutical nanotechnology lies in the characterization of nanocarriers for targeting of drugs and other bioactive agents. The development of microscopic techniques has made the study of the surface and systems architecture more attractive. In the field of pharmaceutical nanosystems, researchers have collected vital information on size, stability, and bilayer organization through the microscopic characterization of liposomes.

Development of novel Zn2+ loaded nanoparticles designed for cell-type targeted drug release in CNS neurons: in vitro evidences.

Intact synaptic function and plasticity are fundamental prerequisites to a healthy brain. Therefore, synaptic proteins are one of the major targets for drugs used as neuro-chemical therapeutics. Unfortunately, the majority of drugs is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and is therefore distributed within the CNS parenchyma.

PLGA nanoparticles surface decorated with the sialic acid, N-acetylneuraminic acid.

There is a broad interest in the development of nanoparticles (NPs) carrying on their surface carbohydrates such as sialic acids. It is known that these carbohydrates influence the biological and physical properties of biopharmaceutical proteins and living cells. Macromolecular compounds containing these carbohydrates showed an anti-recognition effect, exert an antiviral effect and also are able to be recognized by the cell surface of some kind of cancer cells.

AFM phase imaging of soft-hydrated samples: a versatile tool to complete the chemical-physical study of liposomes.

Despite of the several approaches applied to the physicochemical characterization of liposomes, few techniques are really useful to obtain information about the surface properties of these colloidal drug-delivery systems. In this paper, we demonstrate a possible new application of tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) to discriminate between conventional and pegylated liposomes. We showed that the differences on liposomal surface properties revealed by the phase images AFM approach well correlate with the data obtained using classical methods, such as light scattering, hydrodynamic, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.

Collagen-based modified membranes for tissue engineering: influence of type and molecular weight of GAGs on cell proliferation.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of the two most widely used glycosaminoglycans (dermatan sulphate and heparin) on both the structural and biological properties of collagen-based modified membranes (COL/GAGs membranes) designed for tissue engineering. The molecular weight of dermatan sulphate and heparins was correlated with the membrane feasibility and the cell (fibroblasts and keratinocytes) ability to adhere and proliferate on the COL/GAG membranes. Microstructure and physico-chemical properties of COL/GAGs membranes were examined using scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry; the free amino group content and the swelling properties were also detected.

Synthesis, activity and molecular modeling of a new series of chromones as low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP) are crucial elements in eukaryotic signal transduction. Several reports suggested that the LMW-PTP family has oncogenic relevance. Moreover, LMW-PTP has been recognized as a negative regulator of insulin-mediated mitotic and metabolic signaling.

Chapter 3 - Colloidal systems for CNS drug delivery.

The pharmaceutical treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders is the second largest area of therapy, following cardiovascular diseases. Nowadays, noninvasive drug delivery systems for CNS are actively studied. The development of these new delivery systems started with the discovery that properly surface-engineered colloidal vectors, and in particular liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles, with a diameter approximately 200nm, were shown to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) without apparent damage, and to deliver drugs or genetic materials into the brain.