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Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
Dextran-based therapeutic nanoparticles for hepatic drug delivery
Friedrich Foerster1,2, Denise Bamberger3, Jonathan Schupp4
1Institute of Translational Immunology & Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
Dextran-based nanoparticles (DNP) effectively target liver myeloid cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells, without toxicity. These versatile nanoparticles show promise as a drug delivery system for liver-specific therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Immunology
Background:
- Targeted drug delivery systems are crucial for effective treatment of liver diseases.
- Myeloid cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells, play key roles in liver immunity and disease pathogenesis.
- Dextran-based nanoparticles (DNP) offer potential as biocompatible carriers for therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate dextran-based nanoparticles (DNP) as a drug delivery system for targeting liver myeloid cells.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of DNP, including toxicity, cellular uptake, and biodistribution.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and optional PEGylation of dextran-based nanoparticles (DNP).
- In vitro assessment of DNP toxicity and cellular uptake by myeloid cells.
- In vivo evaluation of biodistribution and cellular uptake of empty and siRNA-carrying DNP in a liver model.
Main Results:
- DNP were readily internalized by myeloid lineage cells in vitro without affecting cell viability.
- In vivo studies demonstrated significant liver distribution of DNP, targeting approximately 70% of liver macrophages and dendritic cells after a single administration.
- Serum parameters confirmed the absence of in vivo toxicity associated with DNP treatment.
Conclusions:
- Dextran-based nanoparticles (DNP) are multifunctional and liver-specific drug carriers.
- DNP exhibit a favorable safety profile, lacking significant toxic side effects.
- DNP hold potential for clinical applications aimed at targeting liver macrophages and other myeloid cells.
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