Self-Assembled Nanoscale Materials for Neuronal Regeneration: A Focus on BDNF Protein and Nucleic Acid Biotherapeutic Delivery

Abstract

Enabling challenging applications of nanomedicine and precision medicine in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders requires deeper investigations of nanocarrier-mediated biomolecular delivery for neuronal targeting and recovery. The successful use of macromolecular biotherapeutics (recombinant growth factors, antibodies, enzymes, synthetic peptides, cell-penetrating peptide–drug conjugates, and RNAi sequences) in clinical developments for neuronal regeneration should benefit from the recent strategies for enhancement of their bioavailability. We highlight the advances in the development of nanoscale materials for drug delivery in neurodegenerative disorders. The emphasis is placed on nanoformulations for the delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) using different types of lipidic nanocarriers (liposomes, liquid crystalline or solid lipid nanoparticles) and polymer-based scaffolds, nanofibers and hydrogels. Self-assembled soft-matter nanoscale materials show favorable neuroprotective characteristics, safety, and efficacy profiles in drug delivery to the central and peripheral nervous systems. The advances summarized here indicate that neuroprotective biomolecule-loaded nanoparticles and injectable hydrogels can improve neuronal survival and reduce tissue injury. Certain recently reported neuronal dysfunctions in long-COVID-19 survivors represent early manifestations of neurodegenerative pathologies. Therefore, BDNF delivery systems may also help in prospective studies on recovery from long-term COVID-19 neurological complications and be considered as promising systems for personalized treatment of neuronal dysfunctions and prevention or retarding of neurodegenerative disorders.

Neurotrophic Factors as Regenerative Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current Status, Challenges and Future Perspectives

“…Synthetic components, on the other hand, do not cause inflammation, but may provoke cytotoxicity [ 167 , 169 ]. A recent technique, which is successfully developed for clinical use in neurodegenerative diseases, includes targeted nano-carriers for recombinant growth factors, therapeutic antibodies, enzymes, synthetic peptides, cell-penetrating peptide-drug conjugates, and RNAi sequences [ 170 ]. To enable challenging applications of nano-medicine and precision medicine in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, more in-depth research into bio-molecular delivery via nano-carriers for neuronal targeting and repair is needed.…”

“…To enable challenging applications of nano-medicine and precision medicine in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, more in-depth research into bio-molecular delivery via nano-carriers for neuronal targeting and repair is needed. According to a recent review by Yu Wu et al, the successful use of macromolecular bio-therapeutics in clinical developments for neuronal regeneration will be aided by recent strategies to improve their bioavailability [ 170 ].…”

Morin-Based Nanoparticles for Regulation of Blood Glucose

“…In contrast, self-assembled green synthetic nanodelivery systems stand out for their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and reproducibility, devoid of generating hazardous byproducts . These systems, consisting of a mix of lipids, peptides, surfactants, carbohydrates, and polymers, alongside amphiphilic components, are promising in the simultaneous loading of proteins, nucleic acids, or multiple drugs, offering multifaceted therapeutic effects. − …”

Dietary Protective Potential of Fucoxanthin as an Active Food Component on Neurological Disorders

“…Moreover, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability of fucoxanthin is also not ideal, eventually leading to the nutritional effect of fucoxanthin on the brain being limited. The delivery of neurotrophic compounds by nanocarriers and the targeted recovery of neurons are important strategies to improve the neurotherapeutic efficacy, and specific self-assembled nanomaterials have good neuroprotective properties, safety, and efficacy . For example, the recently reported liquid crystal nanocarriers are potential alternatives to the emerging delivery systems for fucoxanthin. , Compared to other carotenoids, such as siphonaxanthin, β-carotene, astaxanthin, and neoxanthin, as the main active ingredient in major dietary algae, fucoxanthin has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antiangiogenic, and neuroprotective activities.…”