Development of Biomembrane-mimetic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2021;141(9):1071-1078. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.21-00114.ABSTRACTIncrease in vascular permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a distinct pathology following ischemic stroke. In previous studies, we demonstrated that liposomal drug delivery system (DDS)-based delivery of neuroprotectants is useful for treating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Additionally, our previous studies reported that combination therapy with liposomal fasudil plus tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), a thrombolytic agent, brings about decrease in the risk of t-PA-derived cerebral hemorrhage and prolong the therapeutic time window of t-PA for treating acute ischemic stroke. However, accumulation of systemically administered liposomes into the brain parenchyma is still limited, and new technologies are needed that can overcome the BBB. The unique properties of leukocytes and exosomes, one of the extracellular vesicles, make them promising candidates for overcoming biological barriers (including the BBB) for drug delivery, as leukocytes and certain exosomes were reported to be able to permeate through the inflamed BBB in the ischemic stroke area. We prepared leukocyte-mimetic liposomes (LM-Lipo) via transfer of leukocyte membrane proteins by employing a phenomenon called intermembrane protein transfer, and demonstrated that LM-Lipo could pass through the layer of inflamed endothelial cells via regulation of intercellular junctions, like leukocytes. Additionally, we showed that LM...
Source: Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Source Type: research