Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Volume 20, Issue 15, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153642
Keywords
surface-functionalized nanoparticles; pregnancy complications; placenta target; uterus target; placenta-specific exosomes; plCSA-BP; transplacental transport
Funding
- National Key Research and Development Program of China [2018YFC1004103]
- National Natural Sciences Foundation of China [81830041, 81771617]
- Shenzhen Peacock Program [KQJSCX2017033116131058]
- Basic Research Program Fund of Shenzhen [JCY J20170413165233512]
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Minimizing exposure of the fetus to medication and reducing adverse off-target effects in the mother are the primary challenges in developing novel drugs to treat pregnancy complications. Nanomedicine has introduced opportunities for the development of novel platforms enabling targeted delivery of drugs in pregnancy. This review sets out to discuss the advances and potential of surface-functionalized nanoparticles in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications. We first describe the human placental anatomy, which is fundamental for developing placenta-targeted therapy, and then we review current knowledge of nanoparticle transplacental transport mechanisms. Meanwhile, recent surface-functionalized nanoparticles for targeting the uterus and placenta are examined. Indeed, surface-functionalized nanoparticles could help prevent transplacental passage and promote placental-specific drug delivery, thereby enhancing efficacy and improving safety. We have achieved promising results in targeting the placenta via placental chondroitin sulfate A (plCSA), which is exclusively expressed in the placenta, using plCSA binding peptide (plCSA-BP)-decorated nanoparticles. Others have also focused on using placenta- and uterus-enriched molecules as targets to deliver therapeutics via surface-functionalized nanoparticles. Additionally, we propose that placenta-specific exosomes and surface-modified exosomes might be potential tools in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications. Altogether, surface-functionalized nanoparticles have great potential value as clinical tools in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications.
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