Abstract
Around 200 cytokines with roles in cell signaling have been identified and studied, with the vast majority belonging to the four-α-helix bundle family. These proteins exert their function by binding to specific receptors and are implicated in many diseases. The use of several cytokines as therapeutic targets has been approved by the FDA, however their rapid clearance in vivo still greatly limits their efficacy. Nano-based drug delivery systems have been widely applied in nanomedicine to develop safe, specific and controlled delivery techniques. Nevertheless, each nanomaterial has its own specifications and their suitability towards the biochemical and biophysical properties of the selected drug needs to be determined, weighing in the final choice of the ideal nano drug delivery system. Nanoparticles remain the most used vehicle for cytokine delivery, where polymeric carriers represent the vast majority of the studied systems. Liposomes and gold or silica nanoparticles are also explored and discussed in this review. Additionally, surface functionalization is of great importance to facilitate the attachment of a wide variety of molecules and modify features such as bioavailability. Since the monitoring of cytokine levels has an important role in early clinical diagnosis and for assessing therapeutic efficacy, nanotechnological advances are also valuable for nanosensor development.
Highlights
Cytokines are a group of small proteins with a molecular weight of less than 30 kDa, used by cells as mediators for cell–cell interactions, with an important role in cell signaling
This review explores the increasing use of polymeric nanoparticles, as one of the best studied vehicles for cytokine delivery
Nanogram levels of delivered TNF α can bind to its soluble receptor molecules, resulting in the lower binding to the membrane receptors and inhibition of posterior intracellular signaling [29]. This drawback can be overcome by functionalizing the surface of the produced nanomaterials with protective molecules (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG)) in order to mask the cytokines until they reach the target cells
Summary
Cytokines are a group of small proteins with a molecular weight of less than 30 kDa, used by cells as mediators for cell–cell interactions, with an important role in cell signaling. In addition to the cytokines being grouped into different families according to their structure and specificity, their respective receptor complex composition is important for classification [6] These small proteins exert their function through binding to specific. There are many nano-based drug delivery systems applied in nanomedicine, from nanoparticles to nanogels, nanotubes, or nanochips; the first remain the most widely used [16,18] They have the advantage of encapsulating or incorporating bioactive compounds and delivering them to target tissues with a controlled/sustained release and minimal dosage [16]. We discuss and update recent advances in the use of nanomaterials, especially nanoparticles, to mediate cytokine delivery We approach both structure and binding affinity of IL-6 cytokine family members as a model. Some essential features of nanomaterial-based sensors are addressed, since they have attracted increasing attention in molecular diagnosis, allowing the monitoring of cytokine levels
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