A targetable nanoconstruct capable of simultaneously serving as a therapeutic platform for photodynamic therapy as well as an MR molecular imaging agent, free of heavy metal atoms. F3-cys targeting agent nanoconstructs, including 8PEGA-Ce6 NCs. A label-free 8PEGA nanoconstruct that can be directly and selectively imaged by MRI, using standard spin-echo imaging sequences with large diffusion magnetic field gradients to suppress the water signal.

The present invention comprises poly(vinyl benzoate) nanoparticle suspensions as molecular carriers. These nanoparticles can be formed by nanoprecipitation of poly(vinyl benzoate) in water using Pluronic F68 as surfactant, to create spherical nanostructures measuring about 200-250 nm in diameter which are stable in phosphate buffer and blood serum, and only slowly degrade in the presence of esterases. Kinetics experiments in phosphate buffer indicate that 78% of the coumarin-6 was encapsulated within the polymer matrix of the nanoparticle, and the residual 22% of coumarin-6 was surface-bound and quickly released. The nanoparticles are non-toxic in vitro towards human epithelial cells (IC.sub.50>1000 g/mL) and primary bovine primary aortic endothelial cells (IC.sub.50>500 g/mL), and exert non-observable bactericidal activity against a selection of representative test microbes (MIC>250 g/mL). Poly(vinyl benzoate) nanoparticles are suitable carriers for molecular delivery of lipophilic small molecules such as drugs pharmaceutical and imaging agents.

Methods of purification for the large scale synthesis of CB[7]-PEG may include at least one of diafiltration or tangential flow filtration, column chromatography, affinity pull-down techniques, or selective precipitation methods. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a reaction mixture containing synthesized CB[7]-PEG, providing a membrane selected to be below the nominal molecular weight of CB[7]-PEG, and removing small molecular weight contaminant species from the reaction mixture using the membrane. In embodiments, regardless of which purification method is used, a copper catalyst component of the click chemistry reaction mixture may be removed using a commercially available metal-chelating resin.

This invention provides methods for producing a polymer particle which contains unusually high negative charges on the surface of the particle. Preferably, the polymer is pharmaceutically acceptable. The negative charges can be conferred by chemical groups such as carboxyl, sulfonate, nitrate, fluorate, chloride, iodide, persulfate, and many others, with carboxyl group being preferred. The invention also provides polymer particle produced by the methods of the invention.

The invention relates to a nanostructured active ingredient carrier system, in particular for reducing cytotoxic properties owing to the use of sheath polymer and the transport resulting therefrom, for interactions with cell membranes during the transport of hydrophilic constituents and, in connection therewith, the generation of an early endosomal release of the interaction complex from the carrier system. The problem addressed by the present invention is that of specifying a nanostructured active ingredient carrier system which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular permits a reduction in cytotoxic properties owing to the use of a sheath polymer and the transport resulting therefrom. This problem is solved in that a nanostructured active ingredient carrier system is provided in the form of a particle consisting of a carrier sheath, wherein the carrier sheath comprises at least one or more hydrophobic sheath polymers, one or more charged complexing polymers and one or more hydrophilic active ingredients, wherein the complexing polymer interacts with the active ingredient.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for inducing antigen-specific tolerance in a subject. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising an apoptotic body and an epitope of an antigen. Also provided herein are methods of preparing and administering the composition. The composition and methods provided herein can induce antigen-specific tolerance in a subject.

Provided herein are polymer materials that find use in, for example, delivery of short-chain fatty acids. In particular, polymers are provided that form stable nanoscale structures and release their payload, for example, by cleavage of a covalent bond (e.g., via hydrolysis or enzymatic cleavage). The polymers are useful, for example, for delivery of payloads (e.g., SCFAs) to the intestine for applications in health and treatment of disease, and have broad applicability in diseases linked to changes in the human microbiota including inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic, metabolic, and central nervous system diseases, among others.

The disclosure provides for hyaluronic acid functionalized chimeric viral/nonviral nanoparticles, and uses thereof.

The present invention comprises a process for preparing water-dispersible single-chain polymeric nanoparticles, which comprises cross-linking a polymer having a solubility equal to or higher than 100 mg per litre of water, and an amount of complementary reactive groups comprised from 5 to 60 molar % of the total amount of monomer units present in the polymer chain; with a crosslinking agent having crosslinkable groups; at a temperature comprised from 20 to 25 C. in the absence of a catalyst; to obtain water-dispersible conjugates and compositions containing the nanoparticle; and the use thereof.

The present invention is generally directed to improvements in the treatment of cancer and diseases in the central nervous system. A new drug delivery system is provided, method for producing it and medical uses.