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Review
. 2024 Jan 3;22(1):9.
doi: 10.1186/s12951-023-02257-8.

Application of nanotechnology in the treatment of glomerulonephritis: current status and future perspectives

He-Qin Zhan #  1   2 , Xiaoxun Zhang #  1 , Xu-Lin Chen  3 , Liang Cheng  4 , Xianwen Wang  5
Affiliations
Review

Application of nanotechnology in the treatment of glomerulonephritis: current status and future perspectives

He-Qin Zhan et al. J Nanobiotechnology. .

Abstract

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure worldwide; in most cases, it cannot be cured and can only delay the progression of the disease. At present, the main treatment methods include symptomatic therapy, immunosuppressive therapy, and renal replacement therapy. However, effective treatment of GN is hindered by issues such as steroid resistance, serious side effects, low bioavailability, and lack of precise targeting. With the widespread application of nanoparticles in medical treatment, novel methods have emerged for the treatment of kidney diseases. Targeted transportation of drugs, nucleic acids, and other substances to kidney tissues and even kidney cells through nanodrug delivery systems can reduce the systemic effects and adverse reactions of drugs and improve treatment effectiveness. The high specificity of nanoparticles enables them to bind to ion channels and block or enhance channel gating, thus improving inflammation. This review briefly introduces the characteristics of GN, describes the treatment status of GN, systematically summarizes the research achievements of nanoparticles in the treatment of primary GN, diabetic nephropathy and lupus nephritis, analyzes recent therapeutic developments, and outlines promising research directions, such as gas signaling molecule nanodrug delivery systems and ultrasmall nanoparticles. The current application of nanoparticles in GN is summarized to provide a reference for better treatment of GN in the future.

Keywords: Diabetic nephropathy; Lupus nephritis; Nanocarrier; Nanotechnology; Primary glomerulonephritis; Therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic diagram of GN treatment. (Symptomatic therapy, renal replacement therapy, immunosuppressive therapy, primary GN nanotherapy, DN nanotherapy, LN nanotherapy). GN  glomerulonephritis; DN diabetic nephropathy; LN lupus nephritis; RRT renal replacement therapy; UAE urinary albumin excretionopathy
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Factors in glomerular hyperfiltration. The factors of glomerular hyperfiltration include physiological glomerular hyperfiltration and pathological glomerular hyperfiltration, among which physiological factors include a high-protein diet and pregnancy, and pathological factors include DN and FSGS. SNGFR single-nephron glomerular filtration rate; DN diabetic nephropathy; FSGS focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Treatment of primary GN with nanomaterials. In the treatment of primary GN, a nanodrug delivery system can deliver various drugs and nucleic acids to mesangial cells, endothelial cells and the mesangium. Nanoparticles can also play a therapeutic role by blocking ion channels. GN glomerulonephritis, PCL-PCL polyethylene, glycol-polycaprolactone, DXM dexamethasone, EGCG epigallocatechi gallate, TW tripterygium wilfordii; EPO erythropoietin
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Treatment of DN with nanomaterials. In the treatment of DN, the therapeutic forms of nanoparticles include the therapeutic effect of nanoparticles themselves, the combination of nanoparticles and drugs, and the nanodrug delivery system, which can target podocytes, mesangial cells and mesangium. DN diabetic nephropathy, PCL-PEI  polycaprolactone-polyethyleneimine, RH  rhein; DXM  dexamethasone
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Treatment of nanomaterials in LN. In the treatment of LN, a nanodrug delivery system can target the kidney and form an immune complex. LN  lupus nephritis; CsA  cyclosporine A, TAC  tacrolimus, PDA  polydopamine, PEG  polyethylene glycol, HPMA  P-Dex9 (N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide, TWHF  tripterygium wilfordii, ImM  imatinib mesylate, PCL  polyethylene glycol cationic liposome
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Current status and future prospects of nanotechnology in GN therapy. GN glomerulonephritis
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