Biological macromolecules based targeted nanodrug delivery systems for the treatment of intracellular infections

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Cell Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Intracellular infections pose significant therapeutic challenges due to limited antibiotic and antimycotic penetration into host cells.
• Macrophages serve as crucial host cells for various intracellular pathogens, making them primary targets for infection.
• Effective treatment necessitates drugs with enhanced intracellular penetration capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and application of endocytosable drug carriers for targeted delivery to macrophages.
• To explore how these nanocarriers mimic pathogen entry pathways for improved intracellular access.
• To discuss the exploitation of various nanocarriers for macrophage-targeted drug delivery over the past two decades.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of nanocarrier systems designed for intracellular drug delivery.
• Analysis of nanocarrier mechanisms for crossing host cell membranes, particularly macrophages.
• Examination of studies focusing on targeted drug delivery to macrophages using nanocarriers.

Main Results:

• Nanocarriers have been developed to imitate pathogen entry mechanisms, enabling them to cross the host cell membrane.
• Targeted delivery of drugs to macrophages via endocytosable carriers enhances therapeutic efficacy.
• Various nanocarrier platforms have been investigated for macrophage-specific drug delivery in the last 20 years.

Conclusions:

• Endocytosable nanocarriers offer a promising strategy to overcome the challenge of poor drug penetration in treating intracellular infections.
• Targeting macrophages with these nanocarriers ensures enhanced drug concentration at the infection site.
• The review highlights the significant progress and potential of nanocarrier-based therapies for intracellular pathogens.