About this Research Topic
Nanotechnology, and specifically the use of nanoparticles (NPs) to solve clinically unmet needs, has been intensively explored during recent decades, as noted by the number of nanopharmaceuticals (>50) approved by the FDA. However, this success has been rather limited considering the potential advantages associated with the use of NPs. One of the aspects in which current NPs have failed is in the development of complex formulations, including biological cues in/onto their surface in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, the potential toxicity of the chemical compounds used for NP synthesis is still an important safety concern for the clinical implementation of many formulations. In this scenario, naturally occurring NPs offer a unique opportunity to overcome biocompatibility, efficacy and cost-effectiveness issues. Natural NPs are commonly synthesized by most cell types and backed up by the matchless optimization provided by millions of years of evolution. More precisely, protein disposal mechanisms, other than destroying non-desired proteins, can also produce NPs for their secretion or intracellular immobilization which has huge potential in biomedicine and biotechnology.
When it comes to complex setups, namely nanoconjugates loaded with proteins for targeting or therapeutic purposes, chemically produced NPs have not met the clinical expectations, mainly due to their low loading capacity and the generally complex and costly processes required to isolate the proteins of interest. In this regard, nature can be a source of new strategies to hone NP production. Looking at bacterial and mammalian cell physiology, natural NPs are ubiquitously present. For instance, extracellular vesicles, firstly described as a mechanism to secrete protein waste, have revealed themselves as key vehicles for intercellular signal transmission and promising candidates for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Another interesting example is protein inclusion bodies, submicron protein particles generated during recombinant protein production processes, which have been discarded as a promising strategy until recent years. These protein particles have been progressively recognized as biologically active platforms, valuable for protein delivery and other biomedical and biotechnological applications. Nevertheless, to unravel the true impact of naturally generated NPs as high added-value products, further knowledge on new natural particles for protein delivery, potential biomedical indications, NP toxicity assessment and production scalability in good manufacturing practice is necessary.
The bottom line of this Research Topic is to add value to the evolutionary baggage inherent in natural NPs, in order to synthesize more effective NPs for protein delivery in a simpler and more cost effective way.
Topics to be included in this collection:
• Identification and description of new naturally inspired NPs for protein delivery.
• New indications of these NPs in biomedicine or biotechnology from diagnosis to therapy.
• Technological development in the biofabrication and downstream processing of naturally produced NPs.
• Pre-clinical studies on the use of these NPs, including toxicity and immunogenicity studies.
• Mechanistic description of how natural NPs can overcome the main barriers that hamper NP efficacy upon administration such as: stability in blood, escape from the mononuclear phagocyte system, cellular targeting and internalization, subcellular targeting.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Systematic Reviews and Mini Reviews, Methods, Perspectives and Opinion articles.
Drs. Seras-Franzoso, Garcia-Fruitos, Unzueta and Sanchez all hold pending or confirmed patents. Dr. Unzueta's patents are licensed to the start-up company Nanoligent, SL. All Topic Editors declare no other competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
When it comes to complex setups, namely nanoconjugates loaded with proteins for targeting or therapeutic purposes, chemically produced NPs have not met the clinical expectations, mainly due to their low loading capacity and the generally complex and costly processes required to isolate the proteins of interest. In this regard, nature can be a source of new strategies to hone NP production. Looking at bacterial and mammalian cell physiology, natural NPs are ubiquitously present. For instance, extracellular vesicles, firstly described as a mechanism to secrete protein waste, have revealed themselves as key vehicles for intercellular signal transmission and promising candidates for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Another interesting example is protein inclusion bodies, submicron protein particles generated during recombinant protein production processes, which have been discarded as a promising strategy until recent years. These protein particles have been progressively recognized as biologically active platforms, valuable for protein delivery and other biomedical and biotechnological applications. Nevertheless, to unravel the true impact of naturally generated NPs as high added-value products, further knowledge on new natural particles for protein delivery, potential biomedical indications, NP toxicity assessment and production scalability in good manufacturing practice is necessary.
The bottom line of this Research Topic is to add value to the evolutionary baggage inherent in natural NPs, in order to synthesize more effective NPs for protein delivery in a simpler and more cost effective way.
Topics to be included in this collection:
• Identification and description of new naturally inspired NPs for protein delivery.
• New indications of these NPs in biomedicine or biotechnology from diagnosis to therapy.
• Technological development in the biofabrication and downstream processing of naturally produced NPs.
• Pre-clinical studies on the use of these NPs, including toxicity and immunogenicity studies.
• Mechanistic description of how natural NPs can overcome the main barriers that hamper NP efficacy upon administration such as: stability in blood, escape from the mononuclear phagocyte system, cellular targeting and internalization, subcellular targeting.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Systematic Reviews and Mini Reviews, Methods, Perspectives and Opinion articles.
Drs. Seras-Franzoso, Garcia-Fruitos, Unzueta and Sanchez all hold pending or confirmed patents. Dr. Unzueta's patents are licensed to the start-up company Nanoligent, SL. All Topic Editors declare no other competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: Nanobiotechnology, Nanoparticles, Biotechnology, Biomedicine
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