A roadmap for brain-targeted nanomedicines (IMAGE)
Caption
This schematic illustrates the multi-step journey and key strategies for brain-targeted nanomedicines. It highlights the primary challenge: crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), a complex structure composed of endothelial cells (ECs), tight junctions, pericytes, and astrocytes. To navigate this, nanoparticles are engineered with surface modifications. Once across the BBB, further targeting strategies are employed to reach brain lesions, including the use of external physical stimuli, targeting the lesion's microenvironment, or specific cells within it. These advanced nanoparticles serve as versatile carriers for a range of therapeutic payloads, including gene editing systems, nucleic acids, antibodies, chemical drugs, antibody-drug conjugates, and fluorescent proteins.
Credit
Rui Ye et al., Nano Research
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