Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid-Based Nanoparticles Modified with Peptides and Other Linkers Cross The Blood–Brain Barrier for Targeted Drug Delivery

Abstract

Because of the blood–brain barrier, only a limited fraction of drugs can penetrate the brain. As a result, there is a need to take larger doses of the drug, which may result in numerous undesirable side effects. Over the past few decades, a plethora of research has been conducted to address this issue. In recent years, the field of nanomedicine research has reported promising findings. Currently, numerous types of polylactic-co-glycolic acid-based drug-delivery systems are being studied, and great progress has been made in the modification of their surfaces with a variety of ligands. In this review, the authors highlight the preparation of polylactic-co-glycolic acid-based nanoparticles and single- and dual-targeted peptide modifications for site-specific drug delivery into the brain.

Plain language summary

The blood–brain barrier prevents many drugs used to treat brain diseases from having clinical effects. To solve this issue, some promising findings have been reported in the field of nanomedicine research, which will be introduced in this article as possible effective methods for the treatment of brain diseases. This review will focus on the nature of the polylactic-co-glycolic acid polymers involved in the preparation of desired targeted nanocarriers, the synthesis methods for achieving the drug loaded system and the choice and preparation of the targeting agents.

Tweetable abstract

This review comprehensively highlights the current research progress of modified polylactic-co-glycolic acid-based nanoparticles for brain-targeted drug delivery and concludes with a discussion on current challenges faced and future perspective.

Keywords::

• BBB
• linkers
• modification strategies
• peptides
• PLGA
• targeted drug delivery

Author contributions

Y Na, N Zhang and F Geng were responsible for conceptualizing the study and writing the manuscript.X Zhong, J Gu, C Yan and S Yin were responsible for consulting the relevant literature and giving ideas. X Lei and J Zhao were responsible for reviewing and revising the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82174007). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82174007). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.