Overcoming the Brain Barriers: From Immune Cells to Nanoparticles

Publication date: Available online 12 December 2019Source: Trends in Pharmacological SciencesAuthor(s): Marc Charabati, Jean-Michel Rabanel, Charles Ramassamy, Alexandre PratNanoparticulate carriers, often referred to as nanoparticles (NPs), represent an important pharmacological advance for drug protection and tissue-specific drug delivery. Accessing the central nervous system (CNS), however, is a complex process regulated by mainly three brain barriers. While some leukocyte (i.e., immune cell) subsets are equipped with the adequate molecular machinery to infiltrate the CNS in physiological and/or pathological contexts, the successful delivery of NPs into the CNS remains hindered by the tightness of the brain barriers. Here, we present an overview of the three major brain barriers and the mechanisms allowing leukocytes to migrate across each of them. We subsequently review different immune-inspired and -mediated strategies to deliver NPs into the CNS. Finally, we discuss the prospect of exploiting leukocyte trafficking mechanisms for further progress.
Source: Trends in Pharmacological Sciences - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research