Nanomaterials-Mediated Structural and Physiological Modulation of Blood Brain Barrier for Therapeutic Purposes

Blood brain barrier (BBB) protects homeostasis and sensitive environment of brain from several toxic substances coming from the systemic circulation. This barrier along with those substances also prevents therapeutic chemicals to reach brain tissues for several brain diseases. BBB consists of a number of cell types and junctions that help maintain its intricate structure and physiology. To open BBB for therapeutic purposes, researchers are keen to explore the use of nanomaterials as therapeutic agents. Nanomaterials have unique physio-chemical properties such as, increased surface area to mass ratio, superior adsorption capacity, and a wide variety of functionalization possibilities in contrast to bulk materials, making them sought-after for research pertaining to brain delivery of therapeutic substances. Both organic and inorganic nanomaterials have been researched in this regard with numerous interesting functionalizations, and their toxicity and distribution profiles have been well assessed. Different pathways taken up by nanomaterials to cross BBB like adsorptive-mediated transcytosis, inhibition of active efflux pumps, receptor-mediated transport, and cell-mediated endocytosis have also been investigated. This review summarizes the structural and physiological properties and the modulation techniques of BBB for delivery of adsorbed/functionalized nano delivery platforms and imaging nanomaterials across.

Automated summary

Nanomaterials, with unique physico-chemical properties such as increased surface area to mass ratio and superior adsorption capacity, are sought after for research in brain delivery of therapeutic substances. Various pathways for nanomaterials to cross BBB have been investigated, including adsorptive-mediated transcytosis, inhibition of active efflux pumps, receptor-mediated transport, and cell-mediated endocytosis.