Nanotechnology Solutions for Controlled Cytokine Delivery: An Applied Perspective

Abstract

Around 200 cytokines with roles in cell signaling have been identified and studied, with the vast majority belonging to the four-α-helix bundle family. These proteins exert their function by binding to specific receptors and are implicated in many diseases. The use of several cytokines as therapeutic targets has been approved by the FDA, however their rapid clearance in vivo still greatly limits their efficacy. Nano-based drug delivery systems have been widely applied in nanomedicine to develop safe, specific and controlled delivery techniques. Nevertheless, each nanomaterial has its own specifications and their suitability towards the biochemical and biophysical properties of the selected drug needs to be determined, weighing in the final choice of the ideal nano drug delivery system. Nanoparticles remain the most used vehicle for cytokine delivery, where polymeric carriers represent the vast majority of the studied systems. Liposomes and gold or silica nanoparticles are also explored and discussed in this review. Additionally, surface functionalization is of great importance to facilitate the attachment of a wide variety of molecules and modify features such as bioavailability. Since the monitoring of cytokine levels has an important role in early clinical diagnosis and for assessing therapeutic efficacy, nanotechnological advances are also valuable for nanosensor development.

Nanoparticles as Carriers in Medical Applications: A Review Focusing on the Preparation and Use of Nanoparticles in Tissue Regeneration

“…In the context of the application of nanotechnology and biomolecules in tissue regeneration, peptides can be conjugated to NPs to actively target the site of tissue repair or regeneration. To illustrate, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) have been previously attached to polymeric NPs and delivered in mice [37]. For this application, and many others aimed at promoting tissue regeneration, it is important to guarantee the proper availability of purified peptides, which can be achieved either from isolation and purification from a biological source or from direct synthesis.…”

Large Association of GI Tract Microbial Community with Immune and Nervous Systems

“…In total, the number of proteins that have cytokine activity reaches more than 200, their secretion depends on the effective concentrations of cytokines that are created in the vicinity of target cells [78]. Cytokines are involved in the interaction of lymph Immunology of the GI Tract -Recent Advances cells, hematopoietic cells, and inflammatory cells.…”

Smart Lipid-Based Nanosystems for Therapeutic Immune Induction against Cancers: Perspectives and Outlooks

“…Cytokines are small (<30 kDa) messenger proteins with positive and negative modulatory effects on many aspects of physiology. These molecules are especially instrumental inducers or regulators of the immune response [99]. For that reason, cytokines have long been molecules of interest in cancer immunotherapy, unfortunately showing unfavorable off-target toxicity in various trials [99].…”

“…These molecules are especially instrumental inducers or regulators of the immune response [99]. For that reason, cytokines have long been molecules of interest in cancer immunotherapy, unfortunately showing unfavorable off-target toxicity in various trials [99]. Thus, these molecules have been loaded into, or conjugated onto liposomes, in hopes of achieving a more targeted effect (Figure 4B).…”