This brochure describes the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which is a highly complex multicellular structure that protects the brain from harmful substances and invading organisms from the bloodstream, supplying brain tissue with nutrients and controlling its homeostasis. The BBB is composed of polarized endothelial cells connected by tight junctions of the cerebral capillary endothelium and a variety of transporters, which are responsible for its extremely low permeability, limiting the delivery of drugs to the central nervous system (CNS).

The development of new strategies to treat brain diseases is challenging, considering the low drug accessibility to the brain due to the presence of the BBB. In several high incidence brain pathologies, such as stroke, brain infections, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD), the BBB is altered. Specialized BBB components are more permeable if failed to maintain, allowing the molecules that cause neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration to enter the brain. However, even when damaged and more permeable, the BBB can still be difficult for drug delivery into the brain.

Liposomes are a type of nano-sized phospholipid bubbles that have attracted much attention as potential drug carriers. Liposomes are highly biocompatible and easy to control in vivo. Due to their unique physicochemical characteristics, liposomes can incorporate hydrophilic, lipophilic, and hydrophobic therapeutic agents, including a broad variety of drugs, DNA, and diagnostic agents. Because of these characteristics, liposome-based drug delivery has become one of the important strategies for BBB treatment.

Content

1. Background of blood–brain barrier (BBB)
2. Liposome-based strategies across the BBB
3. Creative Biolabs’ liposome development and analysis services