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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
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Injectable Supramolecular Polymer-Nanoparticle Hydrogels for Cell and Drug Delivery Applications
Published on: February 7, 2021
Injectable Thermoresponsive Dual Nanocarrier Hydrogel for Local Tacrolimus Delivery with a Two-Phase Release Profile
Sanjida Ahmed Srishti1, Paromita Paul Pinky1, Diponkor Kumar Shill1
1School of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA.
Pharmaceutics
|June 26, 2026
Summary
This study developed a novel thermoresponsive hydrogel platform with dual nanocarriers for localized tacrolimus (TAC) delivery, improving immunosuppression and reducing side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic inflammation in allograft rejection and autoimmune diseases is driven by cytokine loops.
- Tacrolimus (TAC) has limitations including systemic toxicity and variable exposure.
- Current therapies lack targeted local delivery, hindering effective drug release control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a thermoresponsive hydrogel platform with distinct nanocarriers for localized TAC delivery.
- To engineer nanoemulsion (NE) and micelles for differential drug release and immune cell targeting.
- To create a local depot for sustained, extended TAC release, minimizing systemic exposure.
Main Methods:
- Tacrolimus (TAC) loaded into nanoemulsion (NE) and micelles with optimized particle sizes.
- Nanocarriers incorporated into a thermoresponsive hydrogel for localized depot formation.
- Rheological characterization and in vitro release studies evaluated hydrogel properties and drug diffusion.
Main Results:
- Developed NE (80-85 nm) and micelles (15-17 nm) with stable TAC loading.
- Dual-nanocarrier hydrogel (Dual-HG) exhibited thermoresponsive gelation at 37°C.
- In vitro studies showed sustained TAC release, dependent on nanocarrier particle size.
Conclusions:
- A novel dual nanocarrier hydrogel platform enables localized TAC delivery.
- Engineered nanocarriers modulate drug diffusion for controlled release.
- This platform supports local immunosuppression, reducing systemic exposure and showing translational potential.
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