Nanomedicine (London, England)最新文献

As an efficient genome-editing technology, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein9 (Cas9) system is increasingly being recognized as a significant therapeutic strategy for brain diseases. In recent years, researchers have continuously tried to regulate the expression of genes related to the nervous system through CRISPR-Cas9 system, which provides a new and efficient strategy for the treatment of brain diseases. At the same time, various delivery vectors of CRISPR-Cas9 system have been reported. Although some delivery vectors have not been applied to the research of brain diseases, they still provide valuable ideas for the brain delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 system. In this review, we summarized the principle of CRISPR-Cas9 system and its application in the nervous system, discussed the barrier of blood-brain barrier (BBB) to the treatment of brain diseases, overviewed various delivery vectors of CRISPR-Cas9 system and their applications, and highlighted advanced of CRISPR-Cas9 system applied to various brain diseases. Furthermore, we also discussed the existing obstacles and promising avenues for future investigation regarding CRISPR-Cas9-based therapeutic approaches. This article, through retrieving keyword combinations[PubMed,from Jan. 2018 to Dec. 2025], aims to elucidate the CRISPR-Cas9 system's potential for extensive future research and application as a therapeutic strategy for brain disorders.

Aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized primarily by chronic pain. Currently, there are no highly effective treatments for OA pain. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of M2 macrophage-derived small extracellular vesicles (M2-sEVs) in treating OA and alleviating its associated pain, and to investigate their mechanism of action in pain relief.

Methods: M2-sEVs were isolated via ultracentrifugation. A sodium iodoacetate-induced rat OA model was established to assess the effects of M2-sEVs. RNA sequencing was utilized to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying these analgesic effects, with subsequent validation experiments conducted via RT-qPCR, Western blot, and ELISA assays. Human end-stage OA synovial tissues cultured ex vivo were also utilized to confirm clinical relevance.

Results: M2-sEVs administration alleviated pain behaviors and joint pathology in OA rats, suppressing pain-related molecules in synovium and dorsal root ganglia. Mechanistically, M2-sEVs inhibited synovial macrophage-derived nerve growth factor (NGF) by modulating the Notch pathway. Importantly, this therapeutic mechanism was validated in ex vivo cultured human synovial tissues.

Conclusion: M2-sEVs effectively reduce OA-related pain by suppressing macrophage-derived NGF expression via the Notch pathway, highlighting their promising potential as a nanomedicine-based therapeutic strategy for OA pain management.

Malignant cancer remains the leading cause of mortality globally, and advancements in nanotechnology-driven nanomedicine are expected to yield promising alternative therapeutic strategies. Dendrimers, as synthetic polymers, possess a broad potential for biomedical applications. In this respect, self-assembling dendrimer nanoparticles derived from amphiphilic dendrimers represent a promising platform for drug delivery in cancer therapy. This potential stems from precise structural characteristics, ease of synthesis, cooperative multivalency, and adaptable assembly behavior. These nanoparticles can encapsulate therapeutic agents, enhance selective accumulation in tumor tissues, facilitate deep penetration, and enable stimulus-responsive drug release, thereby improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. In this review, we briefly introduce the self-organizing strategies of self-assembling dendrimers and present representative examples of their applications in cancer chemotherapy, gene therapy, and combination therapy. We also discuss future perspectives for self-assembling dendrimers in personalized and effective cancer nanomedicine. Our goal is to provide valuable insights and inspire further development of self-assembling dendrimers for precision oncology. [Databases searched: Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar; Inclusive dates: 2011-2025].

Introduction: Microbial keratitis is a serious complication of contact lens wear, occurring in 2-24 cases per 10,000 wearers annually. Increasing lens use, especially for myopia control in children, highlights the need for safer designs. Antimicrobial coatings and films offer a promising strategy to reduce infection risk. Recent approaches include metallic and polymeric nanocoatings, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), peptidomimetics, and hybrid systems that prevent microbial adhesion and biofilm formation while maintaining lens biocompatibility.

Areas covered: This review examines advances in antimicrobial nanocoatings for contact lenses, focusing on metallic nanoparticles (silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide), organo-selenium coatings, polymeric layers, AMPs such as melimine and Mel4, and emerging peptidomimetics. Literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2008-2025) was analyzed. Key topics include coating techniques (surface grafting, dip-coating, plasma treatment), antimicrobial mechanisms, and outcomes from preclinical and clinical trials. Limitations such as nanoparticle toxicity, peptide degradation, and regulatory hurdles are discussed.

Expert opinion/commentary: Antimicrobial nanocoatings show strong potential, achieving >3-log₁₀ bacterial reductions and reducing corneal infiltrative events in trials. Future work should focus on hybrid, stimuli-responsive coatings that activate under infection-specific conditions, ensure long-term safety, and meet manufacturing and regulatory requirements.

Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) are a versatile platform for administering photothermal therapy (PTT) in cancer therapy applications. PBNPs combine biocompatibility, safety, and clinical translational potential with durable treatment outcomes in preclinical cancer models. In this perspective, we focus on aspects critical to the workflow of implementing PBNP-PTT in cancer treatment, drawing inspiration from adjacent scientific areas that have not been described in the context of PBNPs, but are important for improving the delivery of PBNP-PTT and its translation. Specifically, we will discuss machine learning approaches, multiomics analyses, and clinical strategies pertinent to PBNP-PTT. Machine learning approaches have the potential to enhance PBNP-PTT design, performance, and therapeutic outcomes. Complementing this, multiomics has the potential to describe the responses to PBNP-PTT, particularly its immune effects. By embedding these advances from nanoparticle engineering to therapy monitoring, PBNP-PTT can evolve from empirical tumor ablation toward a precision photothermal platform, enabling highly individualized cancer treatments with improved safety, efficacy, regulatory approval, and clinical predictability. We will also cover clinical strategies pertinent to the translation PBNP-PTT culminating with specific forward-looking perspectives. This convergence of nanotechnology, immunology, and data science positions PBNP-PTT at the forefront of next-generation cancer nanomedicine and immunotherapy.

Aims: The objective of the present study was to develop and characterize tamoxifen (TAM)-loaded TPGS-PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) for more effective breast cancer treatment than conventional therapy.

Materials and methods: TAM@TPGS-PLGA-NPs were developed using the emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Furthermore, various physicochemical characterizations were performed. In addition, cytotoxicity, in vitro hemocompatibility, histopathological, and imaging studies were conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the formulation.

Results: TAM@TPGS-PLGA-NPs had a particle size of 171.5 ± 7.3 nm, zeta potential of +34.08 ± 3.14 mV, and an entrapment efficiency was found to be 93.64 ± 1.86%, respectively. At an acidic pH of 5.5, TAM@TPGS-PLGA-NPs exhibited higher drug release compared to pH 7.4. In vitro cytotoxicity study revealed that TAM@TPGS-PLGA-NPs were 6.21-fold more cytotoxic than free TAM. The formulation exhibited excellent hemocompatibility and organ safety. In vivo ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging confirmed tumor-selective accumulation and significantly suppressed tumor progression in the DMBA-induced female SD rats breast cancer model.

Discussion: The developed TAM@TPGS-PLGA-NPs demonstrated enhanced drug release in the tumor microenvironment, significantly improved cytotoxicity, and excellent biocompatibility compared to the free drug. These findings indicate their strong potential for tumor-targeted breast cancer therapy with reduced systemic toxicity and enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Fibrotic disorders represent a worldwide health concern, leading to progressive dysfunction across multiple organs such as lung, liver, kidney, and heart. Fibrosis occurs due to persistent inflammation, coupled with differentiation of fibroblasts into matrix-producing myofibroblasts and progressive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Although nintedanib and pirfenidone are clinically approved as antifibrotic drugs, they offer only limited therapeutic benefit because of their inadequate tissue selectivity, poor bioavailability, and systemic toxicity. In recent years, engineered nanomedicines emerged as promising strategies to improve drug bioavailability, enable fibrotic matrix penetration, and allow selective targeting of activated fibroblasts. Diverse types of nanocarriers including lipid-based nanoparticles (NPs), polymeric nanocarriers, and inorganic NPs, have shown promising antifibrotic efficacy across multiple organs by increasing drug accumulation in fibrotic tissue and remodeling the phenotype of fibroblasts thereby halting ECM production. Some nanomedicine strategies were also designed to simultaneously address both inflammation and fibrosis by targeting multiple cell types such as epithelial cells, macrophages, or fibroblasts. In addition, theranostic nanocarriers were developed for detection and treatment of fibrosis. This review highlights the recent progress in nanomedicine strategies for treatment of fibrotic disorders and discusses mechanistic aspects of fibrosis remodeling using nanomedicines.

Thermally induced gelling systems, or thermogels, represent an important class of injectable biomaterials that remain liquid prior to administration but undergo a sol - gel transition upon heating to body temperature, thereby providing a minimally invasive alternative to conventional hydrogels. These materials are typically composed of amphiphilic block copolymer micelles that assemble into macroscopic hydrogel networks. This review highlights the design principles and gelation mechanisms of micelle‑derived thermogels, including mesophase transitions, aggregation mediated by thermosensitive outer shells, and percolated network formation through controlled assembly of patchy micelles with multiple thermosensitive-binding domains. We discuss how polymer composition, block length, and end‑group chemistry dictate critical gelation temperature and concentration, mechanical properties, and long‑term stability. Recent advances in biomedical applications are then introduced, spanning localized drug delivery, vascular embolization, tissue engineering, and cell transplantation. Finally, we outline key challenges for clinical translation, emphasizing the needs for rational design strategies and predictive modeling to accelerate the development of next‑generation thermogels. Literature search: PubMed, SciFinder, and Google Scholar, up to November 2025.

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a neutral analogue of DNA/RNA used for diverse antisense and antigene applications. PNA exhibits excellent binding affinity, sequence specificity, resistance to enzymatic degradation, and minimal electrostatic interactions with target oligonucleotides. PNA's potential in therapeutic applications is not fully explored compared to other antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). PNA designs have been used to target a wide array of microRNAs (miRs) for the potential treatment of various cancers. miRNAs are short, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate post-translational gene expression. In cancer, upregulated miRNA expression plays a crucial role in tumor initiation and progression. The inefficient cellular uptake of PNAs limits their clinical translation. The limitations of PNA prompted the engineering of two classes of nanoparticles (NPs): polymeric-based and silica-based NPs to facilitate the intracellular delivery of PNA in targeted tumor cells and enhance their therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. In this review, we searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, with no publication date restriction, to explore various applications of PNA-loaded nanoparticles in cancer therapy. We have discussed various PNA-loaded nanoparticles used across a range of cancer cell lines and mouse models for cancer therapy.