Myelin nanovesicles as potential approach against neurodegenerative diseases

ABSTRACT Background: Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson and Alzheimer's disease are among the most serious health problems, degrading the quality of life and causing massive economic cost. The treatment of brain disorders and drugs administration routes remain, to date, a most interesting and attractive challenge for the researchers due to the presence of physiological barriers. In particular, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier limits the accessibility to the brain and reduces the efficacy of therapies. Moreover, formulations selectively targeting specific brain regions and cells (neuron, microglia, or astrocytes), are essential to develop more effective therapies. Brain drug delivery systems can be a promising platform for overcoming these issues. Studies on nano-therapy for NDs have often focused on neurons. Nevertheless, the Central Nervous System (CNS) resident immune cells, such as microglia, are also emerging as a promising cellular target considering their principal role in neuroinflammation processes [1, 2]. In this scenario, we propose a new therapeutic strategy based on the bio-fabrication of Myelin-based nanoVesicles (MyVes). MyVes, produced by microfluidic techniques, have a spheroidal morphology with a diameter of approximately 100 nm, negative zeta potential, and naturally contain myelin proteins [3]. Suitability of MyVes for passive or active drug loading procedures has been demonstrated. Furthermore, MyVes cross an in vitro BBB model, showing an enhanced tropism for the microglia cells in the white matter [3]