Nanomedicine Approaches to Modulate Neural Stem Cells in Brain Repair

Tiago Santos; Carlos Boto; Cláudia M Saraiva; Liliana Bernardino; Lino Ferreira

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.02.003

Nanomedicine Approaches to Modulate Neural Stem Cells in Brain Repair

Trends Biotechnol. 2016 Jun;34(6):437-439. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.02.003. Epub 2016 Feb 22.

Authors

Tiago Santos¹, Carlos Boto², Cláudia M Saraiva¹, Liliana Bernardino³, Lino Ferreira⁴

Affiliations

¹ Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
² Biocant - Center of Innovation in Biotechnology, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal.
³ Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Biocant - Center of Innovation in Biotechnology, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Interdisciplinar, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26917252
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2016.02.003

Abstract

We explore the concept of modulating neural stem cells and their niches for brain repair using nanotechnology-based approaches. These approaches include stimulating cell proliferation, recruitment, and differentiation to functionally recover damaged areas. Nanoscale-engineered materials potentially overcome limited crossing of the blood-brain barrier, deficient drug delivery, and cell targeting.

Keywords: brain repair; nanomedicine; nanoparticles; neural stem cells; neurodegenerative diseases; neuronal differentiation.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
Brain / cytology*
Brain / drug effects*
Cell Differentiation / drug effects
Humans
Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
Nanoparticles / chemistry*
Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
Nerve Regeneration / drug effects*
Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
Neural Stem Cells / drug effects*

Substances

Biocompatible Materials