Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026
14:10
Contrast Ultrasound Targeted Treatment of Gliomas in Mice via Drug-Bearing Nanoparticle Delivery and Microvascular Ablation
Published on: December 15, 2010
16.4K
Decorating Nanoparticle Surface for Targeted Drug Delivery: Opportunities and Challenges
Zhiqiang Shen1, Mu-Ping Nieh2, Ying Li3,4
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. zhiqiang.shen@uconn.edu.
Polymers
|April 14, 2019
Summary
Selecting the right surface modifications for nanoparticles (NPs) is crucial for effective drug delivery. This review highlights how surface properties like polymer coatings and stiffness influence NP interaction with cells, guiding future targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Nanoparticle (NP) properties like size, shape, stiffness, and surface chemistry are critical for drug delivery applications.
- Surface functionalization is particularly important for achieving targeted drug delivery to specific cells, such as cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental and computational studies on selecting appropriate surface functional groups for nanoparticles.
- To provide insights into how surface properties influence nanoparticle-cell interactions for targeted drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental studies investigating nanoparticle-cell interactions.
- Analysis of computational studies, including free energy analysis and molecular dynamics simulations.
- Examination of nanoparticle properties such as surface polymer grafting, stiffness, and pH responsiveness.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles with amphiphilic polymer coatings can penetrate cells via a specific pathway.
- Cellular uptake of nanoparticles can be selectively controlled by their stiffness, matching diseased cell properties.
- pH-responsive polymers enable tunable nanoparticle acceptance or rejection based on local cellular pH environments.
- Computational simulations elucidate the 'snorkeling' mechanism of amphiphilic polymer-decorated nanoparticles entering cell membranes.
Conclusions:
- Surface functionalization is a key strategy for designing targeted nanoparticle drug delivery systems.
- Experimental and computational approaches are essential for understanding and optimizing nanoparticle-cell interactions.
- Future nanoparticle drug carriers can be engineered for enhanced selectivity, affinity, and reduced toxicity through rational design of surface properties and environmental responsiveness.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Drug Delivery: Overview
803
The selection of a drug's delivery route depends upon its physicochemical properties, including lipid or water solubility and ionization, as well as the therapeutic requirement, such as immediate or sustained effect. These routes can be divided into three primary categories: enteral, parenteral, and topical.
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
Enteral delivery involves administering drugs directly through swallowing, sublingual placement, or buccal application. Orally administered drugs predominantly navigate the...
803
01:18Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
1.7K
The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
1.7K
01:29Drug Delivery: Parenteral Route
1.6K
The parenteral route is a critical method of drug administration. It delivers compounds directly into the systemic circulation and bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. This approach is particularly advantageous for drugs that exhibit poor absorption or instability when administered orally.
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
There are three primary parenteral routes: intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). The IV route introduces the drug directly into the bloodstream, ensuring immediate action. The IM route...
1.6K
01:26Targets for Drug Action: Overview
10.1K
Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
10.1K
01:22Drug Delivery: Miscellaneous Routes
758
Drug delivery methods like oral inhalation, nasal sprays, transdermal patches, eye drops, intravitreal injection, and rectal administration provide localized effects with reduced toxicity.
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
Oral inhalation and nasal sprays swiftly transfer drugs across the respiratory epithelium's mucosal layer. Inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators directly target lung conditions such as asthma, while fluticasone nasal spray mitigates allergic rhinitis.
Transdermal patches transport drugs...
758
01:16Surface Tension and Surface Energy
3.2K
When a paint brush is immersed in water, the bristles wave freely inside the water. When it is taken out, the bristles stick together. The reason behind this effect is surface tension.
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
Consider a beaker filled with liquid. The bulk molecules in the liquid experience equal attractive forces on all sides with the surrounding molecules. However, the surface molecules experience a net attractive force downward due to the bulk molecules. The surface of the liquid behaves like a stretched membrane,...
3.2K