Recent advances in lipid nanovesicles for targeted treatment of spinal cord injury

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1261288 · Published: August 16, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries are difficult to treat due to the blood-spinal cord barrier, drug targeting issues, and complex injury site conditions. Lipid nanovesicles, both cell-derived and synthetic, show promise as biocompatible delivery systems that can penetrate the barrier and target the injury site. Lipid nanovesicles are engineerable, have low immunogenicity and toxicity, making them promising for future spinal cord injury treatments, although most research is in preclinical stages. Researchers are exploring lipid nanovesicles for targeted drug delivery to the spinal cord, addressing challenges such as crossing the blood-spinal cord barrier and delivering drugs to specific injury sites at the right concentration and duration.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Lipid nanovesicles, including liposomes and extracellular vesicles, can be modified to enhance their ability to target specific cells and tissues in the spinal cord.
2
Surface modifications, such as the addition of peptides or cell membranes, can improve the targeting efficiency and biocompatibility of lipid nanovesicles.
3
Various administration methods, including intravenous, intranasal, and peripheral nerve delivery, are being explored to deliver lipid nanovesicles to the spinal cord.

Research Summary

This review summarizes the progress of lipid nanovesicles for targeted treatment of SCI, discusses their advantages and challenges, and provides a perspective on their application. Most lipid nanovesicle-based therapy of SCI is still in preclinical studies. The spinal cord is one of the most challenging organs for drug delivery because the BSCB, the most important interface for molecular exchange between blood and spinal cord parenchyma, has a physical, transport and enzyme barrier. Lipid nanovesicles provide a biocompatible and engineerable tool for drug delivery. They can be derived from natural or synthetic lipids, polysaccharides, sterols, or surfactants.

Practical Implications

Targeted Drug Delivery

Lipid nanovesicles can improve the efficiency of drug delivery to the spinal cord, reducing side effects and increasing bioavailability.

Combination Therapy

Lipid nanovesicles can be used to deliver multiple drugs to achieve a combined therapeutic effect, targeting different pathological processes in SCI.

Personalized Medicine

Lipid nanovesicles can be tailored to target specific cell types and tissues in the spinal cord, allowing for more personalized treatment strategies.

Study Limitations

1
Most lipid nanovesicle-based therapies for SCI are still in preclinical studies.
2
Instability of long-term storage and modification of multiple components to increase targeting efficiency poses a challenge for clinical translation.
3
Dosage and frequency of administration, off-target potential, unstable production and preservation, and targeting and therapeutic mechanisms need to be clarified.

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