Journal of Nanotheranostics

45 pages, 7998 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Nanotheranostic Researcher’s Guide for Use of Animal Models of Traumatic Brain Injury

by Brandon Z. McDonald, Connor C. Gee and Forrest M. Kievit

J. Nanotheranostics 2021, 2(4), 224-268; https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt2040014 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5733

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is currently the leading cause of injury-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with an estimated global cost of USD 400 billion annually. Both clinical and preclinical behavioral outcomes associated with TBI are heterogeneous in nature and influenced by the mechanism and frequency of injury. Previous literature has investigated this relationship through the development of animal models and behavioral tasks. However, recent advancements in these methods may provide insight into the translation of therapeutics into a clinical setting. In this review, we characterize various animal models and behavioral tasks to provide guidelines for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of treatment options in TBI. We provide a brief review into the systems utilized in TBI classification and provide comparisons to the animal models that have been developed. In addition, we discuss the role of behavioral tasks in evaluating outcomes associated with TBI. Our goal is to provide those in the nanotheranostic field a guide for selecting an adequate TBI animal model and behavioral task for assessment of outcomes to increase research in this field. Full article

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16 pages, 636 KiB

Open AccessReview

Prospects of Extracellular Vesicles in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

by Metka Sluga, Saba Battelino and Domen Vozel

J. Nanotheranostics 2021, 2(4), 208-223; https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt2040013 - 28 Nov 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2895

Abstract

The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been recognised in many fields of medicine for several years. More recently, it has become a topic of increasing interest in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS). With this narrative review, we have aspired to determine different aspects of those nanometrically sized theranostic particles, which seem to have promising potential as biomarkers in some of the most common diseases of the ORL-HNS by being available via less invasive diagnostic methods. At the same time, a better understanding of their activity provides us with new possibilities for developing specific target treatments. So far, most research has been oriented towards the role of EVs in the progression of head and neck cancer, notably head and neck squamous cell cancer. Nonetheless, some of this research has focused on chronic diseases of the ears, nose and paranasal sinuses. However, most research is still in the preclinical or experimental phase. It therefore requires a further and more profound understanding of EV content and behaviour to utilise their nanotheranostic capacities to their fullest potential. Full article

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12 pages, 1594 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Surface Adsorption of the Alpha-Emitter Astatine-211 to Gold Nanoparticles Is Stable In Vivo and Potentially Useful in Radionuclide Therapy

by Emanuel Sporer, Christian B. M. Poulie, Sture Lindegren, Emma Aneheim, Holger Jensen, Tom Bäck, Paul J. Kempen, Andreas Kjaer, Matthias M. Herth and Andreas I. Jensen

J. Nanotheranostics 2021, 2(4), 196-207; https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt2040012 - 01 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3251

Abstract

Targeted α-therapy (TAT) can eradicate tumor metastases while limiting overall toxicity. One of the most promising α-particle emitters is astatine-211 (²¹¹At). However, ²¹¹At-carbon bonds are notoriously unstable in vivo and no chelators are available. This hampers its adoption in TAT. In this study, the stability of ²¹¹At on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was investigated. The employed AuNPs had sizes in the 25–50 nm range. Radiolabeling by non-specific surface-adsorption in >99% radiochemical yield was achieved by mixing ²¹¹At and AuNPs both before and after polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating. The resulting ²¹¹At-AuNPs were first challenged by harsh oxidation with sodium hypochlorite, removing roughly 50% of the attached ²¹¹At. Second, incubation in mouse serum followed by a customized stability test, showed a stability of >95% after 4 h in serum. This high stability was further confirmed in an in vivo study, with comparison to a control group of free ²¹¹At. The AuNP-associated ²¹¹At showed low uptake in stomach and thyroid, which are hallmark organs of uptake of free ²¹¹At, combined with long circulation and high liver and spleen uptake, consistent with nanoparticle biodistribution. These results support that gold surface-adsorbed ²¹¹At has high biological stability and is a potentially useful delivery system in TAT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements in Nanoparticle Based Imaging and Therapy)

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J. Nanotheranostics, Volume 2, Issue 4 (December 2021) – 3 articles

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