[Advance in endoplasmic reticulum-targeting nanodrugs]

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Nanomedicine
• Biomaterials

Background:

• The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is vital for cellular functions including macromolecule synthesis, transport, and homeostasis.
• ER dysfunction is implicated in numerous human diseases, such as cancers, autoimmune disorders, infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the relationship between ER dysfunction and disease.
• To outline the principles of designing ER-targeted nanodrugs.
• To explore the biomedical applications of ER-targeting nanodrugs.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on ER dysfunction and nanodrug development.
• Analysis of nanodrug design strategies for ER targeting (carrier-based and self-assembly).
• Examination of active and passive targeting mechanisms for ER nanodrugs.

Main Results:

• ER-targeted nanodrugs can be designed using nanocarriers or self-assembling bioactive molecules.
• These nanodrugs can actively or passively target the ER.
• They function by modulating ER activities, either disrupting or preserving ER functions.

Conclusions:

• ER-targeted nanodrugs represent a promising frontier in nanomedicine.
• They hold significant potential for treating diseases including cancer, immune disorders, and neurological conditions.
• Further research into ER-targeting nanodrugs is warranted for diverse biomedical applications.