Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Author Spotlight: Innovative Cancer Therapies with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment
09:02

Author Spotlight: Innovative Cancer Therapies with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment

Published on: September 27, 2024

3.2K

Anti-transferrin receptor-modified amphotericin B-loaded PLA-PEG nanoparticles cure Candidal meningitis and reduce

Xiaolong Tang1, Yong Liang2, Yongqiang Zhu3

  • 1Clinical Laboratory, Huainan First People's Hospital and First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan, People's Republic of China ; State Key Laboratory of Virology/Institute of Medical Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

International Journal of Nanomedicine
|October 23, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed a novel nanoparticle delivery system to improve antifungal treatment for fungal infections in the central nervous system (CNS). This new system enhances drug delivery to the brain, reducing fungal burden and increasing survival rates in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Fatal fungal infections in the central nervous system (CNS) are challenging due to poor drug penetration.
  • Amphotericin B (AMB) is effective but hydrophobic, limiting its CNS therapeutic levels.
  • The transferrin receptor (TfR/CD71) at the blood-brain barrier offers a potential route for drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To enhance receptor-mediated delivery of AMB into the CNS.
  • To develop a novel drug delivery system for treating intracerebral fungal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of an anti-TfR antibody (OX26)-modified AMB-loaded poly[lactic acid]-polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) micellar system.
  • Preparation of OX26-modified AMB-loaded nanoparticles (OX26-AMB-NPs).
  • Evaluation of the system's efficacy in reducing CNS fungal burden and improving survival in a mouse model.

Main Results:

  • The prepared OX26-AMB-NPs demonstrated significant reduction of fungal burden in the CNS.
  • Treatment with OX26-AMB-NPs led to an increased mouse survival time.
  • The nanoparticles successfully utilized the TfR pathway for enhanced brain delivery.

Conclusions:

  • OX26-AMB-NPs represent a promising novel drug delivery system for intracerebral fungal infections.
  • Targeted delivery via the TfR enhances therapeutic efficacy for CNS fungal infections.
  • This approach offers a potential strategy to overcome the challenge of poor drug penetration into the CNS.
Keywords:
amphotericin Bblood–brain barrierdrug deliverynanocarriertransferrin receptor

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Characterization of Placental Chondroitin Sulfate A plCSA-Targeting Lipid-Polymer Nanoparticles05:55

Synthesis and Characterization of Placental Chondroitin Sulfate A plCSA-Targeting Lipid-Polymer Nanoparticles

Published on: September 18, 2018

9.5K
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?14:20

Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?

Published on: June 13, 2014

17.2K

Related Concept Videos

Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to...
45
Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions01:15

Impact of Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Models: Regulatory Decisions

PK–PD modeling has significantly influenced FDA regulatory decisions, particularly drug approval, dosage optimization, and labeling. These models integrate pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) to predict drug behavior and effects, aiding in optimizing dosing regimens and enhancing the probability of clinical trial success.One notable example is Nesiritide (Natrecor®), a recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide for treating acute decompensated congestive heart failure...
72