A team led by Jessica L. Reynolds at the University at Buffalo reports an inhalable nanoparticle system that encapsulates rifampin, in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. The particles have a biodegradable core, an outer coating that helps them bind to macrophages, and a natural surface molecule that improves uptake by immune cells.
First author Hilliard L. Kutscher says the particles are designed to go straight to the lungs and be taken up by lung macrophages, where Mycobacterium tuberculosis can hide. In mice the inhaled nanoparticles delivered rifampin more effectively to the lung and kept higher drug levels for much longer—up to a week after a single dose—compared with daily oral rifampin.
All work with M. tuberculosis was done in a certified BSL-3 facility. The team plans to combine the nanoparticle with other standard TB antibiotics and explore use for other lung mycobacterial infections.
Difficult words
- nanoparticle — very small particle used in medicine or technologynanoparticles
- inhalable — able to be breathed into the lungs
- encapsulate — to put a drug inside a small carrierencapsulates
- biodegradable — can break down naturally in the body
- macrophage — a type of immune cell that eats microbesmacrophages
- uptake — the process of a cell taking something inside
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What are the benefits of delivering antibiotics directly to the lungs instead of by mouth?
- What concerns might patients or doctors have about using inhalable nanoparticle medicines?
- How could combining this nanoparticle with other standard TB antibiotics change treatment?
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