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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2011 Jun 28;8(9):1105–1109. doi: 10.1517/17425247.2011.597381

Figure 1. Schematic of proposed nanotheranostic for targeting chronic inflammatory cascade in COPD.

Figure 1

As an example, epithelial targeted nanoparticle (NP) providing sustained drug and molecular probe delivery (nano-theranostic) can control neutrophil chemotaxis, fibrosis and protease mediated chronic emphysema while providing real time assessment of COPD lung disease. Drug, molecular probe, gene and/or short interfering RNA sequences are encapsulated within a nanoparticle vesicle. Targeting antibodies are attached onto the surface for transport to specific epithelial or inflammatory cells. The proposed nano-theranostic incorporates many functionalities, such as targeting molecules, a polymer shield, therapeutic agents and molecular probes.