Advances in Chondroitin Sulfate-Based Nanoplatforms for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a naturally sulfated glycosaminoglycan with diverse biofunctional properties, including anti-inflammatory effects, reactive oxygen species scavenging, cartilage regeneration and immune regulation. In recent years, CS has shown significant progress in biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensing. This paper reviews the latest advancements of CS-based nanoplatforms in the biomedical field. CS can be integrated with functional molecules to construct a variety of nanostructures, further expanding its potential applications. CS exhibits distinctive characteristics, and CS-based nanoparticles could serve as promising drug delivery vehicles in tumor therapy. Beyond their roles in drug delivery, CS-based nanoplatforms exhibit transformative potential in tissue engineering, offering promising solutions for wound repair and tissue regeneration. Additionally, CS enhances early disease diagnostics through biomarker detection, leveraging its unique molecular structure and biocompatibility. This comprehensive review explored the properties of CS-based nanoplatforms and their diverse applications, aiming to provide a reference for related research and encourage further advancements in the biomedical fields.

Keywords: biological sensing; chondroitin sulfate; nanoplatforms; tissue engineering; tumor therapy.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1

The synthesis of DTX/C-NPs and intravenous injection into mice through the synergistic effect of chemo-sonodynamic therapy to achieve the treatment of lung cancer. Adapted from Zhang Y, Khan AR, Yang X, et al. A sonosensitiser-based polymeric nanoplatform for chemo-sonodynamic combination therapy of lung cancer. J Nanobiotechnol. 2021;19:57. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

Figure 2

SNP-CHO NPs are encapsulated in disulfide-bonded cross-linked CS-based nanogels for chemotherapeutic drug delivery. Adapted with permission from Campea MA, Lofts A, Xu F, et al. Disulfide-cross-linked nanogel-based nanoassemblies for chemotherapeutic drug delivery. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2023;15:25324–25338. Copyright 2023 American Chemical Society.

Figure 3

Golgi apparatus-targeted prodrug Ce6-CS-RA NPs in vivo application for enhanced photodynamic immunotherapy. Reprinted from Acta Biomaterialia, 146, Haohuan Li, Caifeng Deng, Yulu Tan, Jianxia Dong, Yuanhao Zhao, Xiaorong Wang, Xingyue Yang, Jingwen Luo, Huile Gao, Yuan Huang, Zhi-Rong Zhang, Tao Gong, Chondroitin sulfate-based prodrug nanoparticles enhance photodynamic immunotherapy via Golgi apparatus targeting, 357-369, Copyright 2022, with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 4

DOX+RA-CSNs target liver cancer cells via CD44-mediated endocytosis, then target Golgi apparatus via interaction with GalNAc-T. Reprinted from Carbohydrate Polymers, 249, Jingwen Luo, Tao Gong, Lixin Ma, Chondroitin-modified lipid nanoparticles target the Golgi to degrade extracellular matrix for liver cancer management, 116887, Copyright 2020, with permission from Elsevier.

Figure 5

PSC/ICG@+DOX exhibits pH and redox dual responses. Under laser irradiation, the synergistic treatment of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy has shown significant anti-cancer efficacy in 4T1-bearing mice. Reproduced with permission from Yu J, Wang L, Xie X, et al. Multifunctional nanoparticles codelivering doxorubicin and amorphous calcium carbonate preloaded with indocyanine green for enhanced chemo-photothermal cancer therapy. Int J Nanomed. 2023;18:323–337.