Cambridge Center for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2PY, UK.
Trends Mol Med. 2012 Feb;18(2):72-80. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.11.002. Epub 2011 Dec 14.
Nanotechnology permits the design of therapeutic devices with defined structure and molecular composition. Modular designs employing surface-bound ligands provide specific homing devices for loaded cargo, and biocompatible and biodegradable constructs provide surrogate temporary microenvironments. We first present a case for developing 'smart' modular constructs as immunogenic vaccines to prime immune memory against specific pathogens where current vaccines fail. Second, we argue that nanotherapeutic intervention can harness pivotal molecular pathways recently discovered to regulate lineage development between pathogenic TH17 cells associated with autoimmune disease, versus tolerogenic regulatory T cells (Treg). Underpinned by molecular mechanisms that enable exquisitely specific responses in adaptive immunity, targeted nanodevices designed to stimulate either immune aggression or immune tolerance signify the birth of a new era in therapeutics.
纳米技术允许设计具有明确结构和分子组成的治疗设备。采用表面结合配体的模块化设计为负载货物提供了特定的归巢装置，而生物相容性和可生物降解的构建体提供了替代的临时微环境。我们首先提出了一个案例，即开发“智能”模块化构建体作为免疫原性疫苗，以针对当前疫苗失败的特定病原体引发免疫记忆。其次，我们认为纳米治疗干预可以利用最近发现的关键分子途径来调节与自身免疫性疾病相关的致病性 TH17 细胞与耐受调节性 T 细胞（Treg）之间的谱系发育。在使适应性免疫产生高度特异性反应的分子机制的支持下，旨在刺激免疫攻击或免疫耐受的靶向纳米器件标志着治疗学新时代的诞生。
