Sensorization of microfluidic brain-on-a-chip devices: Towards a new generation of integrated drug screening systems.

Brain-on-a-chip (BoC) devices show typical characteristics of brain complexity, including the presence of different cell types, separation in different compartments, tissue-like three-dimensionality, and inclusion of the extracellular matrix components. Moreover, the incorporation of a vascular system mimicking the blood-brain barrier (BBB) makes BoC particularly attractive, since they can be exploited to test the brain delivery of different drugs and nanoformulations. In this review, we introduce the main innovations in BoC and BBB-on-a-chip models, especially focusing sensorization: electrical, electrochemical, and optical biosensors permit the real-time monitoring of different biological phenomena and markers, such as the release of growth factors, the expression of specific receptors/biomarkers, the activation of immune cells, cell viability, cell-cell interactions, and BBB crossing of drugs and nanoparticles. The recent improvements in signal amplification, miniaturization, and multiplication of the sensors are discussed in an effort to highlight their benefits versus limitations and delineate future challenges in this field.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles administration during machine perfusion of discarded human livers: A pilot study.

The combined approach of ex situ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) and nanotechnology represents a strategy to mitigate ischemia/reperfusion injury in liver transplantation (LT). We evaluated the uptake, distribution, and efficacy of antioxidant cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) during normothermic perfusion of discarded human livers. A total of 9 discarded human liver grafts were randomized in 2 groups and underwent 4 h of NMP: 5 grafts were treated with nanoceria conjugated with albumin (Alb-NC; 50 µg/ml) and compared with 4 untreated grafts. The intracellular uptake of nanoceria was analyzed by electron microscopy (EM) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The antioxidant activity of Alb-NC was assayed in liver biopsies by glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) assay, telomere length, and 4977-bp common mitochondrial DNA deletion (mtDNA4977 deletion). The cytokine profile was evaluated in perfusate samples. EM and ICP-MS confirmed Alb-NC internalization, rescue of mitochondrial phenotype, decrease of lipid droplet peroxidation, and lipofuscin granules in the treated grafts. Alb-NC exerted an antioxidant activity by increasing GSH levels (percentage change: +94% ± 25%; p = 0.01), SOD (+17% ± 4%; p = 0.02), and CAT activity (51% ± 23%; p = 0.03), reducing the occurrence of mtDNA4977 deletion (-67.2% ± 11%; p = 0.03), but did not affect cytokine release. Alb-NC during ex situ perfusion decreased oxidative stress, upregulating graft antioxidant defense. They could be a tool to improve quality grafts during NMP and represent an antioxidant strategy aimed at protecting the graft against reperfusion injury during LT.

Delivery of Thyronamines (TAMs) to the Brain: A Preliminary Study.

Recent reports highlighted the significant neuroprotective effects of thyronamines (TAMs), a class of endogenous thyroid hormone derivatives. In particular, 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) has been shown to play a pleiotropic role in neurodegeneration by modulating energy metabolism and neurological functions in mice. However, the pharmacological response to T1AM might be influenced by tissue metabolism, which is known to convert T1AM into its catabolite 3-iodothyroacetic acid (TA1). Currently, several research groups are investigating the pharmacological effects of T1AM systemic administration in the search of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of interlinked pathologies, such as metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). A critical aspect in the development of new drugs for NDDs is to know their distribution in the brain, which is fundamentally related to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To this end, in the present study we used the immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line bEnd.3 to develop an in vitro model of BBB and evaluate T1AM and TA1 permeability. Both drugs, administered at 1 µM dose, were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that T1AM is able to efficiently cross the BBB, whereas TA1 is almost completely devoid of this property.

ADAM22/LGI1 complex as a new actionable target for breast cancer brain metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in woman. Brain metastasis is a common and devastating site of relapse for several breast cancer molecular subtypes, including oestrogen receptor-positive disease, with life expectancy of less than a year. While efforts have been devoted to developing therapeutics for extra-cranial metastasis, drug penetration of blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains a major clinical challenge. Defining molecular alterations in breast cancer brain metastasis enables the identification of novel actionable targets. METHODS: Global transcriptomic analysis of matched primary and metastatic patient tumours (n = 35 patients, 70 tumour samples) identified a putative new actionable target for advanced breast cancer which was further validated in vivo and in breast cancer patient tumour tissue (n = 843 patients). A peptide mimetic of the target's natural ligand was designed in silico and its efficacy assessed in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of breast cancer metastasis. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analysis of over-represented pathways in metastatic breast cancer identified ADAM22 as a top ranked member of the ECM-related druggable genome specific to brain metastases. ADAM22 was validated as an actionable target in in vitro, ex vivo and in patient tumour tissue (n = 843 patients). A peptide mimetic of the ADAM22 ligand LGI1, LGI1MIM, was designed in silico. The efficacy of LGI1MIM and its ability to penetrate the BBB were assessed in vitro, ex vivo and in brain metastasis BBB 3D biometric biohybrid models, respectively. Treatment with LGI1MIM in vivo inhibited disease progression, in particular the development of brain metastasis. CONCLUSION: ADAM22 expression in advanced breast cancer supports development of breast cancer brain metastasis. Targeting ADAM22 with a peptide mimetic LGI1MIM represents a new therapeutic option to treat metastatic brain disease.

A 3D Real-Scale, Biomimetic, and Biohybrid Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier Fabricated through Two-Photon Lithography.

The investigation of the crossing of exogenous substances through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is object of intensive research in biomedicine, and one of the main obstacles for reliable in vitro evaluations is represented by the difficulties at the base of developing realistic models of the barrier, which could resemble as most accurately as possible the in vivo environment. Here, for the first time, a 1:1 scale, biomimetic, and biohybrid BBB model is proposed. Microtubes inspired to the brain capillaries were fabricated through two-photon lithography and used as scaffolds for the co-culturing of endothelial-like bEnd.3 and U87 glioblastoma cells. The constructs show the maturation of tight junctions, good performances in terms of hindering dextran diffusion through the barrier, and a satisfactory trans-endothelial electrical resistance. Moreover, a mathematical model is developed, which assists in both the design of the 3D microfluidic chip and its characterization. Overall, these results show the effective formation of a bioinspired cellular barrier based on microtubes reproducing brain microcapillaries to scale. This system will be exploited as a realistic in vitro model for the investigation of BBB crossing of nanomaterials and drugs, envisaging therapeutic and diagnostic applications for several brain pathologies, including brain cancer.

Drug-Loaded Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Chemo/Photothermal Therapy against Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and deadly malignancy, ranking second in terms of mortality and third in terms of incidence on a global scale. The survival rates for CRC patients are unsatisfactory primarily because of the absence of highly effective clinical strategies. The efficacy of existing CRC treatments, such as chemotherapy (CT), is constrained by issues such as drug resistance and damage to healthy tissues. Alternative approaches such as photothermal therapy (PTT), while offering advantages over traditional therapies, suffer instead from a low efficiency in killing tumor cells when used alone. In this context, nanostructures can efficiently contribute to a selective and targeted treatment. Here, we combined CT and PTT by developing a nanoplatform based on polydopamine nanoparticles (PDNPs), selected for their biocompatibility, drug-carrying capabilities, and ability to produce heat upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. As a chemotherapy drug, sorafenib has been selected, a multikinase inhibitor already approved for clinical use. By encapsulating sorafenib in polydopamine nanoparticles (Sor-PDNPs), we were able to successfully improve the drug stability in physiological media and the consequent uptake by CRC cells, thereby increasing its therapeutic effects. Upon NIR stimulus, Sor-PDNPs can induce a temperature increment of about 10 °C, encompassing both PTT and triggering a localized and massive drug release. Sor-PDNPs were tested on healthy colon cells, showing minimal adverse outcomes; conversely, they demonstrated excellent efficacy against CRC cells, with a strong capability to hinder cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Obtained findings pave the way to new synergistic chemo-photothermal approaches, maximizing the therapeutic outcomes against CRC while minimizing side effects on healthy cells.

Nanomaterials as Microglia Modulators in the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders.

Microglia play a pivotal role in the central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis, acting as housekeepers and defenders of the surrounding environment. These cells can elicit their functions by shifting into two main phenotypes: pro-inflammatory classical phenotype, M1, and anti-inflammatory alternative phenotype, M2. Despite their pivotal role in CNS homeostasis, microglia phenotypes can influence the development and progression of several CNS disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and even brain cancer. It is thus clear that the possibility of modulating microglia activation has gained attention as a therapeutic tool against many CNS pathologies. Nanomaterials are an unprecedented tool for manipulating microglia responses, in particular, to specifically target microglia and elicit an in situ immunomodulation activity. This review focuses the discussion on two main aspects: analyzing the possibility of using nanomaterials to stimulate a pro-inflammatory response of microglia against brain cancer and introducing nanostructures able to foster an anti-inflammatory response for treating neurodegenerative disorders. The final aim is to stimulate the analysis of the development of new microglia nano-immunomodulators, paving the way for innovative and effective therapeutic approaches for the treatment of CNS disorders.

Polydopamine Nanoparticle-Based Combined Chemotherapy and Photothermal Therapy for the Treatment of Liver Cancer.

Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) are proposed as an anti-cancer tool against hepatocellular carcinoma through the combination of near-infrared (NIR)-mediated hyperthermia and loading with a chemotherapeutic drug, sorafenib (SRF). Cell membranes isolated from a liver cancer cell line (HepG2) have been exploited for the coating of the nanoparticles (thus obtaining CM-SRF-PDA NPs), to promote homotypic targeting toward cancer cells. The selective targeting ability and the combined photothermal and chemotherapeutic activity of the CM-SRF-PDA NPs following NIR irradiation have been evaluated on cell cultures in static and dynamic conditions, besides three-dimensional culture models. Eventually, the therapeutic effectiveness of the proposed approach has also been tested ex ovo on HepG2 spheroid-grafted quail embryos. This comprehensive investigation, supported by proteomic analysis, showed the effectiveness of the proposed nanoplatform and strongly suggests further pre-clinical testing in the treatment of liver cancer.

Magnetic self-assembly of 3D multicellular microscaffolds: A biomimetic brain tumor-on-a-chip for drug delivery and selectivity testing.

In recent years, the need for highly predictive brain cancer models to test new anticancer compounds and experimental therapeutic approaches has significantly increased. Realistic in vitro brain tumor-on-a-chip platforms would allow a more accurate selection of valid candidate drugs and nanomedicines, therefore alleviating the economic and ethical issues of unsuccessful studies in vivo. Here, we present a multi-functional self-assembled brain tumor-on-a-chip model characterized by 3D glioma cultures interfaced both to nonmalignant brain cells of the peritumoral niche and to a 3D-real-scale blood-brain barrier (BBB) microfluidic system. This platform allowed us to screen multiple features, such as BBB crossing capabilities, apoptotic efficacy against GBM cells, and side effects on nonmalignant brain cells of a promising anticancer drug, nutlin-3a, which is fundamental for the treatment of brain cancer.

Natural Antioxidant Compounds as Potential Pharmaceutical Tools against Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Natural antioxidants are a very large diversified family of molecules classified by activity (enzymatic or nonenzymatic), chemical-physical properties (e.g., hydrophilic or lipophilic), and chemical structure (e.g., vitamins, polyphenols, etc.). Research on natural antioxidants in various fields, such as pharmaceutics, nutraceutics, and cosmetics, is among the biggest challenges for industry and science. From a biomedical point of view, the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) makes them a potential tool for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition to the purified phytochemical compounds, a variety of natural extracts characterized by a complex mixture of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules have been successfully exploited to rescue preclinical models of these diseases. Extracts derived from Ginkgo biloba, grape, oregano, curcumin, tea, and ginseng show multitherapeutic effects by synergically acting on different biochemical pathways. Furthermore, the reduced toxicity associated with many of these compounds limits the occurrence of side effects. The support of nanotechnology for improving brain delivery, controlling release, and preventing rapid degradation and excretion of these compounds is of fundamental importance. This review reports on the most promising results obtained on in vitro systems, in vivo models, and in clinical trials, by exploiting natural-derived antioxidant compounds and extracts, in their free form or encapsulated in nanocarriers.

Tannic Acid-Iron Complex-Based Nanoparticles as a Novel Tool against Oxidative Stress.

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species in cells leads to oxidative stress, with consequent damage for cellular components and activation of cell-death mechanisms. Oxidative stress is often associated with age-related conditions, as well as with several neurodegenerative diseases. For this reason, antioxidant molecules have attracted a lot of attention, especially those derived from natural sources─like polyphenols and tannins. The main issue related to the use of antioxidants is their inherent tendency to be oxidized, their quick enzymatic degradation in biological fluids, and their poor bioavailability. Nanomedicine, in this sense, has helped in finding new solutions to deliver and protect antioxidants; however, the concentration of the encapsulated molecule in conventional nanosystems could be very low and, therefore, less effective. We propose to exploit the properties of tannic acid, a known plant-derived antioxidant, to chelate iron ions, forming hydrophobic complexes that can be coated with a biocompatible and biodegradable phospholipid to improve stability in biological media. By combining nanoprecipitation and hot sonication procedures, we obtained three-dimensional networks composed of tannic acid-iron with a hydrodynamic diameter of ≈200 nm. These nanostructures show antioxidant properties and scavenging activity in cells after induction of an acute chemical pro-oxidant insult; moreover, they also demonstrated to counteract damage induced by oxidative stress both in vitro and on an in vivo model organism (planarians).

Combining confocal microscopy, dSTORM, and mass spectroscopy to unveil the evolution of the protein corona associated with nanostructured lipid carriers during blood-brain barrier crossing.

Upon coming into contact with the biological environment, nanostructures are immediately covered by biomolecules, particularly by proteins forming the so-called "protein corona" (PC). The phenomenon of PC formation has gained great attention in recent years due to its implication in the use of nanostructures in biomedicine. In fact, it has been shown that the formation of the PC can impact the performance of nanostructures by reducing their stability, causing aggregation, increasing their toxicity, and providing unexpected and undesired nanostructure-cell interactions. In this work, we decided to study for the first time the formation and the evolution of PC on the surface of nanostructured lipid carriers loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, before and after the crossing of an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Combining confocal microscopy, direct STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (dSTORM), and proteomic analysis, we were able to carry out a complete analysis of the PC formation and evolution. In particular, we highlighted that PC formation is a fast process, being formed around particles even after just 1 min of exposure to fetal bovine serum. Moreover, PC formed around particles is extremely heterogeneous: while some particles have no associated PC at all, others are completely covered by proteins. Lastly, the interaction with an in vitro BBB model strongly affects the PC composition: in particular, a large amount of the proteins forming the initial PC is lost after the BBB passage and they are partially replaced by new proteins derived from both the brain endothelial cells and the cell culture medium. Altogether, the obtained data could potentially provide new insights into the design and fabrication of lipid nanostructures for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

In vitro study of polydopamine nanoparticles as protective antioxidant agents in fibroblasts derived from ARSACS patients.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are active molecules involved in several biological functions. When the production of ROS is not counterbalanced by the action of protective antioxidant mechanisms present in living organisms, a condition of oxidative stress can arise with consequent damage to biological structures. The brain is one of the main ROS-generating organs in the human body, with the consequence that most of the neurological disorders are associated with an overproduction of ROS. Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with mutations in the sacsin gene (SACS). At cellular level, ARSACS is characterized by mitochondrial impairments, a reduction in bioenergetic processes, and by both an over-production of and an over-sensitivity to ROS. Several antioxidant molecules have been proposed as a potential treatment for ARSACS, such as idebenone and resveratrol. Polydopamine nanoparticles (PDNPs) gained significant attention in recent years owing to their peculiar physical/chemical properties, and especially because of their antioxidant activity. PDNPs have shown a great ROS scavenging capacity that, combined with their completely organic nature that grants them the ability to be degraded and excreted by living organisms, make them a promising candidate in the treatment of oxidative stress-related disorders. In this work, we assessed the effect of PDNPs on human fibroblasts derived from ARSACS patients in terms of antioxidant properties and protein expression. PDNP interaction with fibroblasts was analyzed in terms of biocompatibility, internalization and uptake pathway, reduction of ROS levels, prevention of ROS-induced apoptosis/necrosis, and protective action upon ROS-induced mitochondrial dysfunctions. Moreover, a complete proteomic analysis was performed. Altogether, our data showed that PDNPs can partially counteract ROS-induced damages in ARSACS patient-derived fibroblasts, making them a potential therapeutic candidate to treat - or at least to ameliorate - the condition of oxidative stress associated with ARSACS.

Liposomes loaded with polyphenol-rich grape pomace extracts protect from neurodegeneration in a rotenone-based in vitro model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no satisfactory therapy options. Similar to other neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases, oxidative stress plays a key factor in the neurodegeneration process. To counteract the uncontrolled increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress-dependent cell death, several preclinical and clinical tests exploit natural-derived organic antioxidants, such as polyphenols. Despite some promising results, free antioxidants show scarce brain accumulation and may exhaust their scavenging activity before reaching the brain. In this work, we developed an antioxidant therapeutic nanoplatform consisting of nano-sized functionalized liposomes loaded with selected polyphenol-rich vegetal extracts with high blood-brain barrier crossing capabilities. The antioxidant extracts were obtained from the grape seeds and skins as a byproduct of wine production (i.e., pomace), following a sustainable circular approach with reduced environmental impact. The antioxidant nanoplatform was successfully tested in a relevant in vitro model of PD, where it completely rescued the ROS levels, prevented the aggregation of α-synuclein fibrils, and restored cell viability, paving the way for preclinical translation of the approach.

Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle Administration to Skeletal Muscle Cells under Different Gravity and Radiation Conditions.

For their remarkable biomimetic properties implying strong modulation of the intracellular and extracellular redox state, cerium oxide nanoparticles (also termed "nanoceria") were hypothesized to exert a protective role against oxidative stress associated with the harsh environmental conditions of spaceflight, characterized by microgravity and highly energetic radiations. Nanoparticles were supplied to proliferating C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells under different gravity and radiation levels. Biological responses were thus investigated at a transcriptional level by RNA next-generation sequencing. Lists of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were generated and intersected by taking into consideration relevant comparisons, which led to the observation of prevailing effects of the space environment over those induced by nanoceria. In space, upregulation of transcription was slightly preponderant over downregulation, implying involvement of intracellular compartments, with the majority of DEGs consistently over- or under-expressed whenever present. Cosmic radiations regulated a higher number of DEGs than microgravity and seemed to promote increased cellular catabolism. By taking into consideration space physical stressors alone, microgravity and cosmic radiations appeared to have opposite effects at transcriptional levels despite partial sharing of molecular pathways. Interestingly, gene ontology denoted some enrichment in terms related to vision, when only effects of radiations were assessed. The transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 in space-relevant samples suggests perturbation of the intracellular redox homeostasis, and leaves open opportunities for antioxidant treatment for oxidative stress reduction in harsh environments.

Smart diagnostic nano-agents for cerebral ischemia.

Cerebral ischemia (or ischemic stroke) is undeniably one of the most important life-threatening cerebral disorders. It occurs due to a clot formation in one of the blood arteries supplying the brain, causing a reduction or interruption of the blood flow. To date, the use of thrombolytics like the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator or the use of mechanical thrombectomy are the only two food and drug administration-approved treatments. However, these cannot be applied without first evaluating the beneficial or adverse effects on the patient. Thus, imaging is decisive for identifying the appropriateness of each stroke patient, leading potentially to improved therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we will present a variety of diagnostic nano-agents, and a few theranostic ones, for the assessment of ischemic stroke, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Antioxidants and Nanotechnology: Promises and Limits of Potentially Disruptive Approaches in the Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases.

Many central nervous system (CNS) diseases are still incurable and only symptomatic treatments are available. Oxidative stress is suggested to be a common hallmark, being able to cause and exacerbate the neuronal cell dysfunctions at the basis of these pathologies, such as mitochondrial impairments, accumulation of misfolded proteins, cell membrane damages, and apoptosis induction. Several antioxidant compounds are tested as potential countermeasures for CNS disorders, but their efficacy is often hindered by the loss of antioxidant properties due to enzymatic degradation, low bioavailability, poor water solubility, and insufficient blood-brain barrier crossing efficiency. To overcome the limitations of antioxidant molecules, exploitation of nanostructures, either for their delivery or with inherent antioxidant properties, is proposed. In this review, after a brief discussion concerning the role of the blood-brain barrier in the CNS and the involvement of oxidative stress in some neurodegenerative diseases, the most interesting research concerning the use of nano-antioxidants is introduced and discussed, focusing on the synthesis procedures, functionalization strategies, in vitro and in vivo tests, and on recent clinical trials.

A 3D Biohybrid Real-Scale Model of the Brain Cancer Microenvironment for Advanced In Vitro Testing.

The modeling of the pathological microenvironment of the central nervous system (CNS) represents a disrupting approach for drug screening for advanced therapies against tumors and neuronal disorders. The in vitro investigations of the crossing and diffusion of drugs through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are still not completely reliable, due to technological limits in the replication of 3D microstructures that can faithfully mimic the in vivo scenario. Here, an innovative 1:1 scale 3D-printed realistic biohybrid model of the brain tumor microenvironment, with both luminal and parenchyma compartments, is presented. The dynamically controllable microfluidic device, fabricated through two-photon lithography, enables the triple co-culture of hCMEC/D3 cells, forming the internal biohybrid endothelium of the capillaries, of astrocytes, and of magnetically-driven spheroids of U87 glioblastoma cells. Tumor spheroids are obtained from culturing glioblas-toma cells inside 3D microcages loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The system proves to be capable in hindering dextran diffusion through the bioinspired BBB, while allowing chemotherapy-loaded nanocarriers to cross it. The proper formation of the selective barrier and the good performance of the anti-tumor treatment demonstrate that the proposed device can be successfully exploited as a realistic in vitro model for high-throughput drug screening in CNS diseases.

Development of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Delivery of Idebenone in Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay.

Oxidative stress occurs when physiological antioxidant systems do not manage to counteract the excessive intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accumulate leading to irreversible oxidation of DNA and other biomacromolecules, and thus to the onset of pathological conditions. Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by autosomal recessive mutations in the sacsin gene (SACS). It has been demonstrated that cells of ARSACS patients show bioenergetic and mitochondrial impairment, denoted by reduced respiratory chain activities and ATP synthesis. In order to design a suitable therapy for ARSACS, it is essential to consider that treatments need to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a specialized structure that separates the subtle environment of the brain from blood circulation. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), constituted by a solid lipid shell and a liquid lipid phase in the core, have been fabricated for loading hydrophobic molecules, improving their bioavailability. Idebenone (IDE), a synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q10, is able to inhibit lipid peroxidation and detoxify several free radicals. However, because of its poor solubility, it requires ad hoc drug-delivery systems for enhancing its pharmacokinetic properties, preventing undesired cytotoxicity. In this work, NLCs loaded with idebenone (IDE-NLCs) have been prepared. The nanovectors have been physicochemically characterized, and their biological activity has been evaluated on different central nervous system cell lines. IDE-NLCs demonstrated to be stable in water and in cell culture media, and showed a sustained drug release profile. Interestingly, preliminary data demonstrated their ability to permeate an in vitro BBB model. Their protective antioxidant activity in human healthy primary skin fibroblasts and their therapeutic efficacy in ARSACS-derived primary skin fibroblasts have been also investigated, showing their potential for future development as therapeutic agents.

Polydopamine Nanoparticles as an Organic and Biodegradable Multitasking Tool for Neuroprotection and Remote Neuronal Stimulation.

Oxidative stress represents a common issue in most neurological diseases, causing severe impairments of neuronal cell physiological activity that ultimately lead to neuron loss of function and cellular death. In this work, lipid-coated polydopamine nanoparticles (L-PDNPs) are proposed both as antioxidant and neuroprotective agents, and as a photothermal conversion platform able to stimulate neuronal activity. L-PDNPs showed the ability to counteract reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in differentiated SH-SY5Y, prevented mitochondrial ROS-induced dysfunctions and stimulated neurite outgrowth. Moreover, for the first time in the literature, the photothermal conversion capacity of L-PDNPs was used to increase the intracellular temperature of neuron-like cells through near-infrared (NIR) laser stimulation, and this phenomenon was thoroughly investigated using a fluorescent temperature-sensitive dye and modeled from a mathematical point of view. It was also demonstrated that the increment in temperature caused by the NIR stimulation of L-PDNPs was able to produce a Ca2+ influx in differentiated SH-SY5Y, being, to the best of our knowledge, the first example of organic nanostructures used in such an approach. This work could pave the way to new and exciting applications of polydopamine-based and of other NIR-responsive antioxidant nanomaterials in neuronal research.