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Ischemic stroke occurs due to reduced perfusion to a brain region, because of the blockage of a blood vessel, resulting in death or permanent neurological deficits. It presents high percentages of mortality and morbidity worldwide and a market analysis in five major EU countries showed that the total number of first-ever incidents of stroke cases will rise to 1.63 million (43.7% growth) by 20341. Although, many treatments that make use of therapeutic nanoparticles have been presented, unfortunately to date, no effective treatment has been found to prevent damage to the ischemic brain after stroke. Oxidative stress is related to the pathogenesis of stroke, and overproduction of ROS and RNS are thought to be the main cause of this2. In addition, the overproduction of MMP-9 has been related with many post-stroke side effects. Thus, this project is focused on the development of a biomimetic and neuroprotective lipid nanocapsule (BIONICS) for the targeted treatment of post-stroke side effects. BIONICS will safely deliver anti-oxidant nanoparticles and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitors across the BBB aiming at reducing the overproduced ROS, RNS and MMP-9, resulting to the amelioration of the neurological deficits caused by oxidative stress (Figure 1).

Ce BLNs fabrication procedure for website reduced cielFigure 1. Schematic representation of the fabrication process and the therapeutic effect of BIONICS3

Biomimicry: The biomimetic character of the system is ensured with the use of organic materials that can be found in cellular components including, brain derived lipids, proteins, peptides and antibodies, as well as, with the use of inorganic materials that have demonstrated enzyme-like activities.

Neuroprotection: The neuroprotective character of BIONICS is attributed to the use of nanoceria particles, which can act as ROS and RNS scavengers regulating oxidative stress and its subsequent side-effects.

Smart Bioengineering: The smart design of the system allows, 1) the enhanced delivery of a large variety of nanotherapeutics across the blood brain barrier (BBB) and 2) a controlled release that leads to a sustained therapeutic effect. 

 

 

Grant Agreement

  

 

 

[1]. Jack Allen & Casey Godbout, Stroke Market and Forecast Analysis 2024, published: 28.7.2015  (https://pharmastore.informa.com/product/stroke/)

[2]. R. Shirley et al., Antioxidants (Basel) 2014, 3, 472; C. Tapeinos et al., Adv. Mater 2016, 28, 55; I. Olmez & H. Ozyurt, Neurochem Int 2012, 60, 208; M. Schieber et al., Curr Biol 2014, 24, R453

[3]. The scientific illustration was designed by Maciej Doczyk (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)