title: Targeted delivery systems for biological therapies of inflammatory diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory diseases, including autoimmune diseases and autoinflammatory diseases, are characterized by the imbalance of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Targeted systems allow for specific delivery and sustained release of biological agents to inflamed tissues and macrophages, hence reducing their side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review discusses various targeting strategies for biological therapies of inflammatory diseases, with a focus on modulating macrophage functional polarization from an M1 to M2 phenotype. Furthermore, recent advances in the development of targeted delivery systems for gene therapy against inflammatory diseases including liposomal therapeutics, polymeric nanoparticles and microspheres, and multi-compartmental delivery systems are summarized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Molecular advances have uncovered various targets for biological therapies against inflammatory diseases. Despite substantial promise, the potential translation from the bench to the clinic is limited due to poor systemic stability of the delivery systems, low tissue distribution, and safety concerns. In order to develop clinically translatable targeted delivery systems, thorough evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity in relevant animal models and in different inflammatory diseases is needed. In addition, issues related to long-term storage stability, scale-up and manufacturing of the systems need to be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern University, Bouve College of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Boston, MA 02115 , USA +1 617 373 3137 ; +1 617 373 8886 ; m.amiji@neu.edu.
authors.forename: Thanh-Huyen
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Mansoor M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Amiji
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001691:Biological Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016207:Cytokines; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008863:Microspheres; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000378:metabolism; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016207:Cytokines; D004337:Drug Carriers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008081:Liposomes; D011108:Polymers
keywords: gene therapy; inflammatory diseases; macrophage polarization; nanotechnology; targeted delivery