Nanoparticles can deliver antiaging therapies

A team of Spanish scientists has developed an intelligent nanodevice that lays the foundation for the future development of new therapies against aging. The device consists of nanoparticles that can selectively release therapeutic use substances in aged human cells. Its potential ranging from the treatment of diseases involving cellular degeneration or tissue such as cancer, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, among others, to accelerated aging pathologies (progerias).

“The nanodevice is that we have developed containing mesoporous nanoparticles in the galactooligosaccharide which one outer surface prevents the exit of the load and that selectively opens in degenerative phase cells or senescent cells. The proof of concept demonstrates for the first time can be selected chemicals released in these cells and not in others, “said Ramon Martinez Máñez, IDM Center researcher at the Technical University of Valencia and CIBER-BBN member.

Angewandte Chemie International – Targeted Cargo Delivery in Senescent Cells Using Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Jose Ramon Murguia, a researcher at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of Plants (UPV-CSIC) and CIBER-BBN member, explains that senescence is a physiological process of the body to eliminate aged cells or alterations that may compromise their viability. “When we are young senescence mechanisms prevent, for example, the appearance of tumors, the problem is that with age senescent cells accumulate in organs and tissues, disrupting the proper functioning of the same The eliminaciónn of these cells, slow down the onset of diseases associated with aging. Our work shows that we can develop a targeted therapy against these cells, “said Murguia.

Researchers have evaluated the utility of new nanodevices in primary cell cultures derived from patients with accelerated aging syndrome dyskeratosis congenita (DC). Such cultures show a high percentage of senescence characterized by elevated levels of beta-galactosidase activity, an enzyme senescent state characteristic. “The aging cells overexpress this enzyme, we have designed nanoparticles open before him, releasing their contents to remove senescent cells, or even prevent deterioration reactivate for rejuvenation,” said Murguia. “There are a number of diseases associated with premature aging of some tissues, many of which affect very young patients and for which there is no therapeutic alternative, as in the case of DC or aplastic anemia and other affect more adults, as is the case with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or liver cirrhosis. These nanoparticles represent a unique opportunity to deliver therapeutic compounds to selectively target tissues and rescue the viability and functionality of these “explains Rosario Perona, Researcher at the Institute for Biomedical Research, CSIC / UAM and CIBERER member.

The next step of this research is to test and validate therapeutic agents in animal models. “As far as we know this is the first time described a nano-therapy senescent cells. Although the road from these results to the possible elimination of senescent cells or rejuvenation therapies is still long, we believe that our research may open new avenues for developing therapies for the treatment of age-related diseases, “says Ramon Máñez Martinez.

Cosmetic therapies

According to the researchers, who designed the nanodevice can also be useful for developing therapies topical cosmetic care and beautification of the skin and hair, as anti-wrinkle or anti-aging, and radiation shielding UV or to address alopecia, all associated with the accumulation of senescent cells, conclude Martinez Máñez and Murguia.

ABSTRACT – Learning to let go with age: Intracellular controlled release of molecules within senescent cells was achieved using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) capped with a galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) to contain the cargo molecules (magenta spheres; see scheme). The GOS is a substrate of the senescent biomarker, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal), and releases the cargo upon entry into SA-β-gal expressing cells.

8 pages of supplemental information

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