Polyurethane/silk fibroin-based electrospun membranes for wound healing and skin substitute applications

• Iqra Zainab,
• Zohra Naseem,
• Syeda Rubab Batool,
• Muhammad Waqas,
• Ahsan Nazir and
• Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 591–612, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.46

• endothelial cells are heavily activated during the proliferation stage, which helps in matrix deposition, wound closure, and angiogenesis. In wound healing, the formation of granulation tissue occurs, which is composed of cellular and fibril matrix [42]. Fibroblasts synthesize the fibrillar components

• , myofibroblasts help in wound contraction, and endothelial cells are involved in neo-angiogenesis. The re-epithelization process involves proliferation and migration towards the wound area and fills the wound with granulation tissues. In this matrix, keratinocytes live, move, and proliferate to close the wound

• [43]. Remodeling phase Remodeling is the last phase of wound healing, which ends with the formation of scars and clearance of immune cells from the epidermis. All processes from the previous stages are completed in this phase [44]. When a wound heals, endothelial cells and myofibroblasts leave behind

Nanocarriers and macrophage interaction: from a potential hurdle to an alternative therapeutic strategy

• Naths Grazia Sukubo,
• Paolo Bigini and
• Annalisa Morelli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 97–118, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.10

• shapes like ellipsoids, discoids, and nanorods with higher aspect ratios are more effectively localized close to blood vessel walls, enhancing their internalization into endothelial cells and potentially improving their therapeutic delivery [1]. After systemic administration, NCs tend to accumulate in

Nanotechnological approaches for efficient N2B delivery: from small-molecule drugs to biopharmaceuticals

• Selin Akpinar Adscheid,
• Akif E. Türeli,
• Nazende Günday-Türeli and
• Marc Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1400–1414, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.113

• considered a challenge because of the existence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB, Figure 1), which is composed of several cell types [7]. The BBB is a dynamic and selective interface between the systemic circulation and the brain [8]. The structure of the healthy BBB relies on the endothelial cells and the

• ongoing clinical trials [165]. However, more research is still needed regarding clinical studies and the commercialization of these strategies. Therefore, commercialization and scale-up should be the next steps in the future of N2B delivery research. Structure of the blood–brain barrier. The endothelial

• cells are joined by tight junctions to form a barrier for metabolic functions. The barrier is surrounded by a basal membrane, pericytes, and astrocytes. Figure 1 was redrawn from [14] and created in BioRender. Akpinar, S. (2023) https://BioRender.com/c51s574. This content is not subject to CC BY 4.0

Recent updates in applications of nanomedicine for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

• Damai Ria Setyawati,
• Fransiska Christydira Sekaringtyas,
• Riyona Desvy Pratiwi,
• A’liyatur Rosyidah,
• Rohimmahtunnissa Azhar,
• Nunik Gustini,
• Gita Syahputra,
• Idah Rosidah,
• Etik Mardliyati,
• Tarwadi and
• Sjaikhurrizal El Muttaqien

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1105–1116, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.89

• interactions The accumulation of any type of NPs in the liver is generally accomplished because of the central role of the liver itself as a main metabolic and excretory organ in the body. The presence of fenestrations in the layers of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and the absence of the

• permeability are increased because of angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment [41]. The fenestrae of the liver endothelial cells increase to approximately 400–600 nm, often accompanied with impaired lymphatic drainage, leading to the EPR effect [42]. In contrast, the excessive production of ECM by the

Entry of nanoparticles into cells and tissues: status and challenges

• Kirsten Sandvig,
• Tore Geir Iversen and
• Tore Skotland

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1017–1029, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.83

• stimulation of protein kinase A [7]. To which extent this is a general phenomenon is still unknown. In contrast, in endothelial cells caveolae can be seen on both sides of the endothelial cell layer, and caveolae have been reported to be involved in transcytosis across the cell layer [23]. It should, however

• (Kupffer cells, i.e., the liver macrophages, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), and hepatocytes) in NP uptake [81]. A very recent study points to the importance of interactions between PEG-NPs with (apo)lipoproteins and scavenger receptors, and postulates that the high presence of these receptors

Identification of structural features of surface modifiers in engineered nanostructured metal oxides regarding cell uptake through ML-based classification

• Indrasis Dasgupta,
• Totan Das,
• Biplab Das and
• Shovanlal Gayen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 909–924, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.75

• significantly contribute to the cellular uptake of ENMOs in multiple cell types, including pancreatic cancer cells (PaCa2), human endothelial cells (HUVEC), and human macrophage cells (U937). The best models have been identified for each cell type and analyzed to detect the structural fingerprints/features

• ENMOs (monocrystalline magnetic nanoparticles having overall size of 38 nm and an average of 60 ligands per nanoparticle, indicating a consistent level of attachment across different preparations) regarding human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells (PaCa2), human umbilical vein endothelial cells

• (HUVEC), and the human monocyte lymphoma cell line U937 [34]. PaCa2 cells are derived from a human pancreatic tumor and are adherent and epithelial in nature, providing insights into the uptake and behavior of nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer. HUVEC cells are endothelial cells derived from the vein of

Cholesterol nanoarchaeosomes for alendronate targeted delivery as an anti-endothelial dysfunction agent

• Horacio Emanuel Jerez,
• Yamila Roxana Simioni,
• Kajal Ghosal,
• Maria Jose Morilla and
• Eder Lilia Romero

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 517–534, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.46

• arterial calcification at doses comparable to those that inhibit bone resorption [10] and reported to exhibit a proangiogenic action on stressed endothelial cells, enhancing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis and inducing the formation of capillary-like tubes in a VEGF-dependent manner [11

• ]. Recent studies have also shown that ALN has a direct anti-inflammatory effect on endothelial cells. It reduces LPS-induced activation in terms of expression of cell adhesion molecules to leukocytes and increases the production of nitric oxide, reducing platelet activation [12]. According to the

• ALN on endothelial cells. This is important because the access of ALN in therapeutically realistic concentrations to the inflamed endothelium is limited to microenvironments exhibiting the abnormal presence of hydroxyapatite in the vessel structure. ALN associates with great affinity to this mineral

Fabrication of nanocrystal forms of ᴅ-cycloserine and their application for transdermal and enteric drug delivery systems

• Hsuan-Ang Tsai,
• Tsai-Miao Shih,
• Theodore Tsai,
• Jhe-Wei Hu,
• Yi-An Lai,
• Jui-Fu Hsiao and
• Guochuan Emil Tsai

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 465–474, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.42

• vascular endothelial cells are at low frequency, and that the trans-endothelial pathways are the dominant mechanisms for nanoparticle extravasation in tumors (also called enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect) [37]. Since the skin has a denser structure than that of tumor vessels, we speculated

Overview of mechanism and consequences of endothelial leakiness caused by metal and polymeric nanoparticles

• Magdalena Lasak and
• Karol Ciepluch

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 329–338, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.28

• considered one of the best materials with anticancer properties. Most of the administered NPs that end up in the bloodstream interact with the endothelial layer. The interaction of the NPs with the endothelium widens the existing gaps or induces new ones in the monolayer of vascular endothelial cells, thus

• )), fibrinolysis (e.g., tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)), and blood clotting processes (e.g., tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI)) [4][6][7][8][9][10]. In addition, endothelial cells are involved in the immune response of the body. Endothelial cells regulate

• leukocyte diapedesis and produce inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (Figure 1). The factors secreted by the endothelium also include angiokines, which affect the parenchymal cells, thus conditioning the functioning of entire organs. Endothelial cells play

Nanotechnology – a robust tool for fighting the challenges of drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

• Filip Gorachinov,
• Fatima Mraiche,
• Diala Alhaj Moustafa,
• Ola Hishari,
• Yomna Ismail,
• Jensa Joseph,
• Maja Simonoska Crcarevska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Nikola Geskovski and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 240–261, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.23

• targeted delivery may bring improvements in the efficacy of anticancer drugs and may aid in elucidating the beneficial synergistic combinations regarding lung cancer subtype treatment. Nanomedicines have the potential for (i) multivalent targeting and co-delivery of agents to endothelial cells, tumor

• entire cardiac output, but successful lung localization of nanocarriers depends upon NP interaction with the endothelial cells. Lung endothelial cells are an important target for drugs and gene delivery as they are involved in processes such as inflammation, vascular permeability, and tumor growth. Also

• , including lipid nanoparticles for lung targeting or targeting relevant cell types, that is, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, immune cells of the lungs, B cells, and T cells. Data regarding the biodistribution of polymers, polymer lipids, and lipid nanoparticles indicate that the internal and external

Bioselectivity of silk protein-based materials and their bio-inspired applications

• Hendrik Bargel,
• Vanessa T. Trossmann,
• Christoph Sommer and
• Thomas Scheibel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 902–921, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.81

• addressing cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecules (ALCAMs) also belong to this family of adhesion receptors and are important in leukocyte trafficking events [10]. These proteins serve as ligands for integrins on the endothelial cells. IgSF molecules are divided

• be used to generate self-assembled membranes, allowing for the adhesion of endothelial cells on the one side and smooth muscle cells on the other side, as well as the diffusion of relevant molecules, making this material promising for vascular tissue engineering [170]. In addition to flat films or

Engineered titania nanomaterials in advanced clinical applications

• Padmavati Sahare,
• Paulina Govea Alvarez,
• Juan Manual Sanchez Yanez,
• Gabriel Luna-Bárcenas,
• Samik Chakraborty,
• Sujay Paul and
• Miriam Estevez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 201–218, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.15

• small size of nanomaterials enables them to permeate through biological barriers in the body, such as the blood–brain barrier, the pulmonary system, and through the tight junction of endothelial cells of the skin. The main goal of loading drugs on nanomaterials is the delivery to specific target cells

Use of nanosystems to improve the anticancer effects of curcumin

• Andrea M. Araya-Sibaja,
• Norma J. Salazar-López,
• Krissia Wilhelm Romero,
• José R. Vega-Baudrit,
• J. Abraham Domínguez-Avila,
• Carlos A. Velázquez Contreras,
• Ramón E. Robles-Zepeda,
• Mirtha Navarro-Hoyos and
• Gustavo A. González-Aguilar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1047–1062, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.78

• exerted an antiangiogenic effect when assayed against human umbilical vein endothelial cells; particles co-delivered doxorubicin–CUR in an amphiphilic poly-β-amino ester copolymer. Their mechanism was apparently related to the VEGF pathway, according to the results of inhibited proliferation, migration

Silver nanoparticles induce the cardiomyogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells via telomere length extension

• Khosro Adibkia,
• Ali Ehsani,
• Asma Jodaei,
• Ezzatollah Fathi,
• Raheleh Farahzadi and
• Mohammad Barzegar-Jalali

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 786–797, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.62

• Akt phosphorylation in bovine endothelial cells [13]. It has been determined that the positive and negative effects of Ag-NPs entirely depend on size, time point, and cell type. Both positive and negative impacts of Ag-NPs on stem cell differentiation were previously reported by studies. In this

The impact of molecular tumor profiling on the design strategies for targeting myeloid leukemia and EGFR/CD44-positive solid tumors

• Nikola Geskovski,
• Nadica Matevska-Geshkovska,
• Simona Dimchevska Sazdovska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Kristina Mladenovska and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 375–401, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.31

• , hematopoietic, which are responsible for the hematopoiesis, and mesenchymal, which produce the stromal, fat, cartilage, and bone tissue. The BM stroma contains fibroblasts, macrophages, adipocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and endothelial cells. It provides the appropriate microenvironment for efficient

• solutes and even particulate matter [18]. Portions of the sinusoidal endothelial cells could be noticeably reduced into small fenestrae with sizes in the range of 80–150 nm, which could facilitate the paracellular MBB transport. On the other hand, their clathrin-coated pits, lysosomes, clathrin-coated

• endothelial cells, and the present fenestrae, to remove colloid particles from the bloodstream nurtures the possibility of targeting the leukemia stem cells with NDDSs. In order to reach the BM vasculature, it is of utmost importance that the NDDSs do not interact with the elements of the reticuloendothelial

Differences in surface chemistry of iron oxide nanoparticles result in different routes of internalization

• Barbora Svitkova,
• Vlasta Zavisova,
• Veronika Nemethova,
• Martina Koneracka,
• Miroslava Kretova,
• Filip Razga,
• Monika Ursinyova and
• Alena Gabelova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 270–281, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.22

• internalization of BSA-SO-MNPs via CME was also observed in murine primary podocytes and mesangial cells (unpublished results). In endothelial cells, albumin has been shown to bind to albondin, a 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) receptor localized in caveolae. The interaction between gp60 and caveolin-1, which is

Cardiomyocyte uptake mechanism of a hydroxyapatite nanoparticle mediated gene delivery system

• Hiroaki Komuro,
• Masahiro Yamazoe,
• Kosuke Nozaki,
• Akiko Nagai and
• Tetsuo Sasano

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1685–1692, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.150

• endocytosis involved in the uptake process [20][21]. Therefore, understanding the cellular uptake mechanism of HAp nanoparticles may be useful for the design of more efficient gene-delivery vectors. We previously demonstrated that the cellular uptake of HAp nanoparticles into endothelial cells (ECs) was

• vector in HL-1 cells, we used plasmid-enhanced green fluorescent protein (pEGFP) as a model plasmid and evaluated the transfection efficiency via fluorescence microscopy. First, we used HAp (1 µg/mL) mixed with 0.075, 0.30, and 0.75 µg pEGFP, based on our previous results with endothelial cells

• dose-dependent manner. The amount of 0.75 µg was selected for subsequent cell experiments. The transfection efficiency of the HAp vector in HL-1 cells was three times higher than that of the endothelial cells in our previous study [22]. Endocytic pathway Under physiological conditions, nanoparticles

Transient coating of γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles with glutamate for its delivery to and removal from brain nerve terminals

• Konstantin Paliienko,
• Artem Pastukhov,
• Michal Babič,
• Daniel Horák,
• Olga Vasylchenko and
• Tatiana Borisova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 1381–1393, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.122

• [39]. The neuronal release of glutamate modulates the blood–brain barrier function, through activation of N-methyl-ᴅ-aspartate (NMDA) receptors [40]. Glutamate increased intracellular calcium levels in endothelial cells and levels of nitrogen oxide (NO) around microvessels. These results can be

• considered in support of a mechanism of glutamate-induced activation of NMDA receptors in endothelial cells, which leads to calcium signaling and downstream NO production to promote blood–brain barrier permeability [38]. Thus, it may be expected that glutamate-conjugated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles can more easily

Key for crossing the BBB with nanoparticles: the rational design

• Sonia M. Lombardo,
• Marc Schneider,
• Akif E. Türeli and
• Nazende Günday Türeli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 866–883, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.72

• Central nervous system diseases are a heavy burden on society and health care systems. Hence, the delivery of drugs to the brain has gained more and more interest. The brain is protected by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), a selective barrier formed by the endothelial cells of the cerebral microvessels

• damaged by ischemia [2]. One of the main limitations for the treatment of neurological disorders is the difficulty to deliver drugs to the brain. The brain is surrounded by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), a selective barrier formed by the endothelial cells of the cerebral microvessels [3][4]. The surface

• function, the BBB has a unique anatomy. The brain endothelial cells are joined by tight junctions and do not present fenestrations [5][6][7][8]. The endothelial cells are surrounded firstly by a discontinuous layer of pericytes and secondly by the basal lamina, adjacent to the astrocyte feet (Figure 1

Identification of physicochemical properties that modulate nanoparticle aggregation in blood

• Ludovica Soddu,
• Duong N. Trinh,
• Eimear Dunne,
• Dermot Kenny,
• Giorgia Bernardini,
• Ida Kokalari,
• Arianna Marucco,
• Marco P. Monopoli and
• Ivana Fenoglio

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 550–567, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.44

• activation of some factors by surface-driven exposure of cryptic domains following adsorption was reported in some studies [5][6]. Other studies have reported the NPs ability to damage or activate platelets, endothelial cells or monocytes [4]. Some physicochemical properties, including the surface charge and

• platelets [16]. Additionally, SNPs were found to induce pre-thrombotic states through surface-driven activation of the coagulation factor XII [17][18]. Finally, SNPs are known to induce oxidative stress in several cell lines including endothelial cells [19] and leucocytes [20][21], a process that in vivo

• . Platelet adhesion Activated platelets are physiologically programmed to adhere to the endothelial wall of damaged blood vessels. The VWF anchored to damaged endothelial cells plays a major role in this process, encouraging platelets to tether, roll and finally adhere at the site of damage. Dynamic platelet

Poly(1-vinylimidazole) polyplexes as novel therapeutic gene carriers for lung cancer therapy

• Gayathri Kandasamy,
• Elena N. Danilovtseva,
• Vadim V. Annenkov and
• Uma Maheswari Krishnan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 354–369, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.26

• . Detailed synthesis and characterization of the polymer was earlier reported by Prof Annenkov [21]. The lung cancer cell line A549 was procured from the National Centre for Cell Sciences (NCCS), Pune. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were procured from ATCC, USA. EGMTM endothelial cell growth

• formation in the cells clearly indicating the effect of VEGF inhibition. Earlier studies have shown that VEGF binds to α9β1 integrin on the cell surface, which mediates the formation and migration of endothelial cells through Src and focal adhesion kinase [34]. Therefore, the silencing of VEGF retards tube

• through a PVI polyplex is effective in inhibiting tube formation in endothelial cells. Microarray analysis VEGF has been implicated in a variety of signaling pathways in cancer that are now being revealed through gene and protein expression studies. To identify the effect of VEGF silencing on the various

Interactions at the cell membrane and pathways of internalization of nano-sized materials for nanomedicine

• Valentina Francia,
• Daphne Montizaan and
• Anna Salvati

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 338–353, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.25

• , the role of caveolae in endocytosis is currently being debated. Some suggest that caveolae are involved in transcytosis in endothelial cells [100]. According to this hypothesis, caveolae rapidly detach from the apical side of the membrane and fuse with the basal one, or directly form transient pores

• in thin endothelial cells [101]. Other studies have shown that in many cell types caveolae are normally not involved in endocytosis, but are stable invaginations present at the cell surface [102][103], and only undergo endocytosis upon stimulation [96][104]. Apart from these mechanisms, phagocytosis

• nanomedicines, can end up in compartments other than the lysosomes. For example, in several reports it appears that nanoparticles can be transcytosed across endothelial cells [178][179]. However, the existence of a dedicated pathway, such as caveolae-mediated endocytosis, for transcytosis of macromolecules is

Rational design of block copolymer self-assemblies in photodynamic therapy

• Maxime Demazeau,
• Laure Gibot,
• Anne-Françoise Mingotaud,
• Patricia Vicendo,
• Clément Roux and
• Barbara Lonetti

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 180–212, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.15

• ) effect [2][3], constituted the triggering factor for the development of a whole new part of medicine, namely nanomedicine. Indeed, the observed spontaneous accumulation was explained by the existence of disjunctions between endothelial cells in the proximity of inflamed and cancerous tissues, which

Molecular architectonics of DNA for functional nanoarchitectures

• Debasis Ghosh,
• Lakshmi P. Datta and
• Thimmaiah Govindaraju

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 124–140, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.11

• construction of a DNA origami-based nanorobot for the cargo delivery of payloads into cancer cells [56]. The autonomous DNA nanorobot was constructed using a nucleolin-binding DNA aptamer and was loaded with thrombin protease. The nucleolin protein was overexpressed in tumor-associated endothelial cells, which

Internalization mechanisms of cell-penetrating peptides

• Ivana Ruseska and
• Andreas Zimmer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 101–123, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.10