Combination of cell-penetrating peptides with nanomaterials for the potential therapeutics of central nervous system disorders: a review

J Nanobiotechnology. 2021 Aug 23;19(1):255. doi: 10.1186/s12951-021-01002-3.

Abstract

Although nanomedicine have greatly developed and human life span has been extended, we have witnessed the soared incidence of central nervous system (CNS) diseases including neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease), ischemic stroke, and brain tumors, which have severely damaged the quality of life and greatly increased the economic and social burdens. Moreover, partial small molecule drugs and almost all large molecule drugs (such as recombinant protein, therapeutic antibody, and nucleic acid) cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, it is especially important to develop a drug delivery system that can effectively deliver therapeutic drugs to the central nervous system for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) provide a potential strategy for the transport of macromolecules through the blood-brain barrier. This study analyzed and summarized the progress of CPPs in CNS diseases from three aspects: CPPs, the conjugates of CPPs and drug, and CPPs modified nanoparticles to provide scientific basis for the application of CPPs for CNS diseases.

Keywords: Cell penetrating peptides; Central nervous system diseases; Drug delivery; Nanomedicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / chemistry*
  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides / therapeutic use*
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Glioma
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Stroke
  • Nanomedicine
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / therapeutic use*
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Quality of Life
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Cell-Penetrating Peptides
  • Recombinant Proteins