Jana Hedrich

Uncontrolled amyloid‐beta (Aβ) fibrillation leads to the deposition of neurotoxic amyloid plaques and is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Inhibiting Aβ monomer fibrillation and dissociation of the formed fibers is regarded as a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, amphiphilic polyphenylene dendrons (APDs) are demonstrated to interrupt Aβ assembly and reduce Aβ–cell interactions. Containing alternating negatively charged sulfonic acid and hydrophobic n‐propyl peripheral groups, APDs bind to the secondary structure of the Aβ aggregates, inhibiting fibrillation and disassemble the already formed Aβ fibrils. APDs reveal vesicular cellular uptake in endosomes as well as cell compatibility for endothelial and neuronal cells, and significantly reduce Aβ‐induced neuron cytotoxicity in vitro. Moreover, they are transported into the brain and successfully cross the blood–brain barrier after systemic application in mice, indicating their high potential to inhibit Aβ fibrillation in vivo, which can be beneficial for developing therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.

Nanotheranostics, combining diagnostics and therapy, has the potential to revolutionize treatment of neurological disorders. But one of the major obstacles for treating central nervous system diseases is the blood–brain barrier (BBB) preventing systemic delivery of drugs and optical probes into the brain. To overcome these limitations, nanodiamonds (NDs) are investigated in this study as they are a powerful sensing and imaging platform for various biological applications and possess outstanding stable far‐red fluorescence, do not photobleach, and are highly biocompatible. Herein, fluorescent NDs encapsulated by a customized human serum albumin–based biopolymer (polyethylene glycol) coating (dcHSA‐PEG) are taken up by target brain cells. In vitro BBB models reveal transcytosis and an additional direct cell–cell transport via tunneling nanotubes. Systemic application of dcHSA‐NDs confirms their ability to cross the BBB in a mouse model. Tracking of dcHSA‐NDs is possible at the single cell level and reveals their uptake into neurons and astrocytes in vivo. This study shows for the first time systemic NDs brain delivery and suggests transport mechanisms across the BBB and direct cell–cell transport. Fluorescent NDs are envisioned as traceable transporters for in vivo brain imaging, sensing, and drug delivery.

Neurological disorders are undoubtedly among the most alarming diseases humans might face. In treatment of neurological disorders, the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) is a challenging obstacle preventing drug penetration into the brain. Advances in dendrimer chemistry for central nervous system (CNS) treatments are presented here. A poly(amido)amine (PAMAM) dendrimer bioconjugate with a streptavidin adapter for the attachment of dendrons or any biotinylated drug is constructed. In vitro studies on porcine or murine models and in vivo mouse studies are performed and reveal the permeation of dendronized streptavidin (DSA) into the CNS. The bioconjugate is taken up mainly by the caveolae pathway and transported across the BBB via transcytosis escaping from lysosomes. After transcytosis DSA are delivered to astrocytes and neurons. Furthermore, DSA offer high biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. In summary, a new strategy for implementing therapeutic PAMAM function as well as drug delivery in neuropathology is presented here.