The blood–brain barrier and beyond: Nano-based neuropharmacology and the role of extracellular matrix

Publication date: Available online 10 February 2019Source: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and MedicineAuthor(s): Petra Henrich-Noack, Dragana Nikitovic, Monica Neagu, Anca Oana Docea, Ayse Basak Engin, Svetlana Gelperina, Michael Shtilman, Panayiotis Mitsias, George Tzanakakis, Illana Gozes, Aristidis TsatsakisAbstractRestrained drug delivery due to the blood–brain barrier (BBB) considerably limits options for the treatment of brain pathologies. The utilization of nanoparticulate (NP) carriers has been proposed as a solution. The development strategies need to address the important hurdle of NP passage across the BBB as well as the altered cellular up-take due to the pathophysiological changes of the damaged or diseased tissue as well as immunological and toxicological aspects of nanomedicine penetration. This review therefore scopes to: 1) outline the state-of-the art knowledge on BBB passage, 2) address the significant influence of pathological conditions on nanoparticulate drug delivery, and, 3) highlight the largely neglected role of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Interactions of the nanosystem with biological barriers, cells and ECM in the milieu of brain pathologies are critically discussed in order to present a holistic overview of the advances and pits of nanomedicine applications in brain disease.Graphical AbstractThe efficient delivery of drugs into the central nervous system (CNS) represents a major challenge in neuroscience and drug development fields. I...
Source: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine - Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research