Impact of chitosan-based nanocarriers on cytoskeleton dynamics: Current status and challenges

Chitosan-based nanocarriers (CS-NCs) show a promising role in improving drugs and bioactive compounds delivery for therapy. However, the effects exerted by CS-NCs at the cellular level, including their recognition and uptake, have not been fully investigated yet. Many factors, including size, shape, concentration, and surface chemistry of CS-NCs, play an important role in determining the types of intracellular signals triggered. The mechanism of uptake and the involvement of the cytoskeleton during the CS-NCs endocytosis variates among the different cell types as well as further effects observed inside cells. In the present work, we discuss the effects induced by CS-NCs per se on the cytoskeleton, a key component in cell architecture and physiology. The focus of this report is made on tumoral and normal biological models in which CS-NCs could differentially affect the cell cytoskeleton. The recent years reports regarding the impact of CS-NCs on cytoskeleton dynamics and the current techniques for its evaluation are summarized and discussed. Understanding mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal impact after cell exposure to CS-NCs is critical for the design of safest value-added formulations in the biomedical field. Furthermore, this revision points out some interesting aspects of cytoskeletal changes and cell death encompassing anti-tumoral effects.

Automated summary

Chitosan-based nanocarriers play a crucial role in improving drug delivery, with their effects at the cellular level influenced by factors like size, shape, concentration, and surface chemistry. The mechanism of uptake and cytoskeletal impact of CS-NCs vary among different cell types, affecting intracellular responses. Understanding the relationship between CS-NCs and cytoskeletal changes in cells is important for designing safer biomedical formulations, with potential anti-tumoral effects.