Smart Materials: New Tools for the Treatment of Brain Diseases

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, a novel class of materials is opening unprecedented research and application opportunities in life science and drug delivery. So called smart materials (SMs) exhibit peculiar responses to external stimuli (e.g., stress, temperature, pressure, light, magnetic or electric fields), which make them excellent candidates for myriad of applications, such as designing novel therapeutic strategies for brain diseases. In particular, SM can (i) safely target and deliver drugs to the brain, through novel mechanisms and with more precise and personalized dosage; (ii) modify cells for desired functionality; (iii) modulate neural activity with high spatial and temporal resolutions; (iv) constitute versatile theranostic platforms. The Special Issue “Smart materials: a new approach for the treatment of brain diseases” will collect research papers or review articles focused on smart materials designed to improve the diagnosis and/or treatment of cerebral pathologies, as well as to evaluate the progression of these diseases. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Allegra Conti
Dr. Nicola Toschi
Dr. Sebastien Meriaux
Dr. Sergio Moya
Dr. Danijela Gregurec
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Brain Sciences brainsci	3.3	3.9	2011	15.6 Days	CHF 2200
Future Pharmacology futurepharmacol	-	-	2021	20.5 Days	CHF 1000
Journal of Functional Biomaterials jfb	4.8	5.0	2010	13.3 Days	CHF 2700
Materials materials	3.4	5.2	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600
Pharmaceutics pharmaceutics	5.4	6.9	2009	14.2 Days	CHF 2900

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Brain Sciences Future Pharmacology JFB Materials Pharmaceutics

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparative Studies of the Uptake and Internalization Pathways of Different Lipid Nano-Systems Intended for Brain Delivery

by Ljubica Mihailova, Dushko Shalabalija, Andreas Zimmer, Nikola Geskovski, Petre Makreski, Marija Petrushevska, Maja Simonoska Crcarevska and Marija Glavas Dodov

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(8), 2082; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15082082 - 03 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1343

Abstract

Lipid nano-systems were prepared and characterized in a series of well-established in vitro tests that could assess their interactions with the hCMEC/D3 and SH-SY5Y cell lines as a model for the blood–brain barrier and neuronal function, accordingly. The prepared formulations of nanoliposomes and [...] Read more.

Lipid nano-systems were prepared and characterized in a series of well-established in vitro tests that could assess their interactions with the hCMEC/D3 and SH-SY5Y cell lines as a model for the blood–brain barrier and neuronal function, accordingly. The prepared formulations of nanoliposomes and nanostructured lipid carriers were characterized by z-average diameters of ~120 nm and ~105 nm, respectively, following a unimodal particle size distribution (PDI < 0.3) and negative Z-potential (−24.30 mV to −31.20 mV). Stability studies implied that the nano-systems were stable in a physiologically relevant medium as well as human plasma, except nanoliposomes containing poloxamer on their surface, where there was an increase in particle size of ~26%. The presence of stealth polymer tends to decrease the amount of adsorbed proteins onto a particle’s surface, according to protein adsorption studies. Both formulations of nanoliposomes were characterized by a low cytotoxicity, while their cell viability was reduced when incubated with the highest concentration (100 μg/mL) of nanostructured lipid formulations, which could have been associated with the consumption of cellular energy, thus resulting in a reduction in metabolic active cells. The uptake of all the nano-systems in the hCMEC/D3 and SH-SY5Y cell lines was successful, most likely following ATP-dependent internalization, as well as transport via passive diffusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Materials: New Tools for the Treatment of Brain Diseases)

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19 pages, 8333 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Toward a New Generation of Bio-Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering: Challenges and Perspectives

by Francisca Villanueva-Flores, Igor Garcia-Atutxa, Arturo Santos and Juan Armendariz-Borunda

Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(6), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15061750 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1716

Abstract

Neural tissue engineering presents a compelling technological breakthrough in restoring brain function, holding immense promise. However, the quest to develop implantable scaffolds for neural culture that fulfill all necessary criteria poses a remarkable challenge for material science. These materials must possess a host [...] Read more.

Neural tissue engineering presents a compelling technological breakthrough in restoring brain function, holding immense promise. However, the quest to develop implantable scaffolds for neural culture that fulfill all necessary criteria poses a remarkable challenge for material science. These materials must possess a host of desirable characteristics, including support for cellular survival, proliferation, and neuronal migration and the minimization of inflammatory responses. Moreover, they should facilitate electrochemical cell communication, display mechanical properties akin to the brain, emulate the intricate architecture of the extracellular matrix, and ideally allow the controlled release of substances. This comprehensive review delves into the primary requisites, limitations, and prospective avenues for scaffold design in brain tissue engineering. By offering a panoramic overview, our work aims to serve as an essential resource, guiding the creation of materials endowed with bio-mimetic properties, ultimately revolutionizing the treatment of neurological disorders by developing brain-implantable scaffolds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Smart Materials: New Tools for the Treatment of Brain Diseases)

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