Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling
Lee B Sims,1 Hermann B Frieboes,1–3 Jill M Steinbach-Rankins1,3–5 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 2James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2018-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Nanomedicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/nanoparticle-mediated-drug-delivery-to-treat-infections-in-the-female--peer-reviewed-article-IJN |
| _version_ | 1818751493312872448 |
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| author | Sims LB Frieboes HB Steinbach-Rankins JM |
| author_facet | Sims LB Frieboes HB Steinbach-Rankins JM |
| author_sort | Sims LB |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lee B Sims,1 Hermann B Frieboes,1–3 Jill M Steinbach-Rankins1,3–5 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 2James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 5Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA Abstract: A variety of drug-delivery platforms have been employed to deliver therapeutic agents across cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) and the vaginal mucosa, offering the capability to increase the longevity and retention of active agents to treat infections of the female reproductive tract (FRT). Nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to improve retention, diffusion, and cell-specific targeting via specific surface modifications, relative to other delivery platforms. In particular, polymeric NPs represent a promising option that has shown improved distribution through the CVM. These NPs are typically fabricated from nontoxic, non-inflammatory, US Food and Drug Administration-approved polymers that improve biocompatibility. This review summarizes recent experimental studies that have evaluated NP transport in the FRT, and highlights research areas that more thoroughly and efficiently inform polymeric NP design, including mathematical modeling. An overview of the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo NP studies conducted to date – whereby transport parameters are determined, extrapolated, and validated – is presented first. The impact of different NP design features on transport through the FRT is summarized, and gaps that exist due to the limitations of iterative experimentation alone are identified. The potential of mathematical modeling to complement the characterization and evaluation of diffusion and transport of delivery vehicles and active agents through the CVM and mucosa is discussed. Lastly, potential advancements combining experimental and mathematical knowledge are suggested to inform next-generation NP designs, such that infections in the FRT may be more effectively treated. Keywords: polymer nanoparticles, 3D cell culture, cervicovaginal mucus, CVM, transport, female reproductive tract, FRT, mathematical modeling, intravaginal delivery |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:36:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-78ece554f11d48c68243699d750dd01a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-2013 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:36:27Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Nanomedicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-78ece554f11d48c68243699d750dd01a2022-12-21T21:20:50ZengDove Medical PressInternational Journal of Nanomedicine1178-20132018-05-01Volume 132709272738095Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modelingSims LBFrieboes HBSteinbach-Rankins JMLee B Sims,1 Hermann B Frieboes,1–3 Jill M Steinbach-Rankins1,3–5 1Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 2James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 4Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; 5Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA Abstract: A variety of drug-delivery platforms have been employed to deliver therapeutic agents across cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) and the vaginal mucosa, offering the capability to increase the longevity and retention of active agents to treat infections of the female reproductive tract (FRT). Nanoparticles (NPs) have been shown to improve retention, diffusion, and cell-specific targeting via specific surface modifications, relative to other delivery platforms. In particular, polymeric NPs represent a promising option that has shown improved distribution through the CVM. These NPs are typically fabricated from nontoxic, non-inflammatory, US Food and Drug Administration-approved polymers that improve biocompatibility. This review summarizes recent experimental studies that have evaluated NP transport in the FRT, and highlights research areas that more thoroughly and efficiently inform polymeric NP design, including mathematical modeling. An overview of the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo NP studies conducted to date – whereby transport parameters are determined, extrapolated, and validated – is presented first. The impact of different NP design features on transport through the FRT is summarized, and gaps that exist due to the limitations of iterative experimentation alone are identified. The potential of mathematical modeling to complement the characterization and evaluation of diffusion and transport of delivery vehicles and active agents through the CVM and mucosa is discussed. Lastly, potential advancements combining experimental and mathematical knowledge are suggested to inform next-generation NP designs, such that infections in the FRT may be more effectively treated. Keywords: polymer nanoparticles, 3D cell culture, cervicovaginal mucus, CVM, transport, female reproductive tract, FRT, mathematical modeling, intravaginal deliveryhttps://www.dovepress.com/nanoparticle-mediated-drug-delivery-to-treat-infections-in-the-female--peer-reviewed-article-IJNpolymer nanoparticles3D cell culturecervicovaginal mucus (CVM)transportfemale reproductive tract (FRT)mathematical modeling |
| spellingShingle | Sims LB Frieboes HB Steinbach-Rankins JM Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling International Journal of Nanomedicine polymer nanoparticles 3D cell culture cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) transport female reproductive tract (FRT) mathematical modeling |
| title | Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling |
| title_full | Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling |
| title_fullStr | Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling |
| title_short | Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract: evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling |
| title_sort | nanoparticle mediated drug delivery to treat infections in the female reproductive tract evaluation of experimental systems and the potential for mathematical modeling |
| topic | polymer nanoparticles 3D cell culture cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) transport female reproductive tract (FRT) mathematical modeling |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/nanoparticle-mediated-drug-delivery-to-treat-infections-in-the-female--peer-reviewed-article-IJN |
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