<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective barrier that prevents most substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream, including bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, this restriction also applies to 99.9 % of therapeutics, posing significant challenges in the treatment of brain diseases. Overcoming this barrier is critical for effective treatment of neurological disorders. Several drug delivery systems are being developed to improve transport of therapeutic agent across the BBB. For example, nanoparticles (liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers), nanocarriers (micelles, nanogels), protein-based delivery (penetrating peptides, exosomes), focused ultrasound, and most recently, a filamentous phage based nanocarriers. Filamentous bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are not designed to infect eukaryotic cells. Recent evidence suggests that filamentous bacteriophages, such as M13, can cross BBB and enter the central nervous system (CNS). Researchers have been investigating the potential use of M13 as drug carriers, including the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. This entails modifying the bacteriophages to carry payloads such as drugs and using them as a delivery system. The BBB’s complexity and the potential risks associated with changing it necessitate careful consideration in the development of such strategies. M13 nanocarrier development is ongoing, and advancements may lead to new therapeutic options for treating infections in the CNS. However, it is important to note that this field is still in its infancy, and more research is needed to assess the feasibility and safety of using modified bacteriophages to cross the BBB. This brief review attempts to compile current research on the potential use of bacteriophages for drug transport across the BBB.</p>
</abstract>

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective barrier that prevents most substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream, including bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, this restriction also applies to 99.9 % of therapeutics, posing significant challenges in the treatment of brain diseases. Overcoming this barrier is critical for effective treatment of neurological disorders. Several drug delivery systems are being developed to improve transport of therapeutic agent across the BBB. For example, nanoparticles (liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers), nanocarriers (micelles, nanogels), protein-based delivery (penetrating peptides, exosomes), focused ultrasound, and most recently, a filamentous phage based nanocarriers. Filamentous bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and are not designed to infect eukaryotic cells. Recent evidence suggests that filamentous bacteriophages, such as M13, can cross BBB and enter the central nervous system (CNS). Researchers have been investigating the potential use of M13 as drug carriers, including the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. This entails modifying the bacteriophages to carry payloads such as drugs and using them as a delivery system. The BBB’s complexity and the potential risks associated with changing it necessitate careful consideration in the development of such strategies. M13 nanocarrier development is ongoing, and advancements may lead to new therapeutic options for treating infections in the CNS. However, it is important to note that this field is still in its infancy, and more research is needed to assess the feasibility and safety of using modified bacteriophages to cross the BBB. This brief review attempts to compile current research on the potential use of bacteriophages for drug transport across the BBB.

Mphages and the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Review

Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology

University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice

Folia Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Mphages and the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Review"}

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective barrier that prevents most substances from entering the brain from the bloodstream, including bacteria and...

Mphages and the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Review

Published Online: Mar 22, 2024

Page range: 15 - 21

Received: Jan 02, 2024

Accepted: Feb 06, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fv-2024-0002

Keywords
bacteriophages, blood brain barrier, central nervous system, drug delivery systems, filamentous phages

© 2024 Tomáš Maľarik et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Mphages and the Blood-Brain Barrier: A Review

Published Online: Mar 22, 2024

Page range: 15 - 21

Received: Jan 02, 2024

Accepted: Feb 06, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fv-2024-0002

Keywordsbacteriophages, blood brain barrier, central nervous system, drug delivery systems, filamentous phages

© 2024 Tomáš Maľarik et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
bacteriophages, blood brain barrier, central nervous system, drug delivery systems, filamentous phages