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PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Thesis
Developing functional lipid nanoparticles for depletion of microglia following traumatic brain injury
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Dec 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011264
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when external forces impact the brain. TBIs are a consequence of motor vehicle accidents, injuries sustained in contact sports, or experiences encountered by combat veterans. Current medical treatment of TBI primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of the injury and long-term effects. One emerging hypothesis is that aspects of long-term TBI symptoms may trace back to neuro-immune response following injury. The goal of this project is to develop functionalized nanoliposomes loaded with a membrane-impermeant toxin, chlodronate, such that they can be used to deplete the activated microglial we hypothesize are at the root of some long-term TBI symptoms. Here, we develop chlodronate loaded liposomes with surface-exposed, carboxylic acid-terminated, PEG-2000 spacers. These allow coupling of proteins, such as antibodies targeting specific receptors on our target microglial population, using EDC/NHS chemistry. The formulation was successful, resulting in a multimodal LNP-conjugated system, with future studies planned in rats to evaluate targeting efficiency.
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Details
- Title
- Developing functional lipid nanoparticles for depletion of microglia following traumatic brain injury
- Creators
- Jarelis Nilda Cabrera
- Contributors
- Shae B. Padrick (Advisor)Ramesh Raghupathi (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Number of pages
- ix, 56 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022154673404721