Nanoparticles inspired by lung fluid improve therapies targeting respiratory system

The CIC biomaGUNE Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials has developed pulmonary surfactant nanoparticles (the blend of lipids and proteins that line the alveoli and enables breathing), which are encapsulated in a drug used to treat pulmonary fibrosis. The researchers show that these nanoparticles are highly capable of remaining trapped in the diseased tissue after being administered via the pulmonary pathway. This allows the doses of antifibrotic medication to be cut, and thus reduces the potential side effects associated with conventional therapies. Tests carried out on mice displayed a therapeutic effect on pulmonary fibrosis.