Functionalized albumin nanoparticles: A multifunctional platform for enhanced brain drug delivery

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The blood-brain barrier (BBB) severely limits the delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system, hindering treatment of neurological disorders.
• Albumin nanoparticles offer a protein-based drug delivery system with inherent biocompatibility and prolonged circulation.
• Endogenous transport mechanisms, including gp60 and FcRn receptors, can be leveraged for BBB penetration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review functionalization strategies for albumin nanoparticles to enhance brain drug delivery.
• To evaluate covalent and non-covalent modification methods for improving BBB permeability, targeting precision, and controlled release.
• To highlight the unique advantages of albumin-based platforms compared to synthetic nanocarriers for neurological applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on albumin nanoparticle functionalization techniques.
• Analysis of covalent and non-covalent modification approaches.
• Focus on ligand-based modifications for active receptor targeting and stimuli-responsive systems.

Main Results:

• Functionalized albumin nanoparticles can effectively hijack native transport mechanisms to cross the BBB.
• Ligand conjugation and stimuli-responsive systems improve targeting and drug release within the brain.
• Albumin's multiple reactive groups offer a versatile scaffold for diverse functionalizations.

Conclusions:

• Functionalized albumin nanoparticles represent a promising strategy for targeted brain drug delivery.
• These platforms show potential for treating brain tumors, neuroinflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Further research is needed to address formulation consistency and clinical translation challenges.