In vivo study of dendronlike nanoparticles for stem cells “tune-up”: from nano to tissues

Dendron-like nanoparticles were developed by surface engineering poly(amidoamine) dendrimer nanoparticles with carboxymethylchitosan. The nanoparticles are proposed to be used as intracellular carriers of dexamethasone aimed at controlling osteogenesis of rat bone marrow stromal cells, ex vivo and in vivo. The performance of the developed dendron-like nanoparticles system for the intracellular delivery of dexamethasone was evaluated, combining cell and tissue engineering principles, i.e., using natural-based nano- and micro-polymeric systems. Favorable results were observed in vitro and in vivo, thus suggesting that stem cells “tune-up” strategy can open up a new regenerative strategy for bone tissue engineering.219