Decoding Neurodegeneration: Unveiling Cytokine Dynamics, Neuroinflammation, and the Role of Nanotherapeutic Approaches

Neuroinflammation is a cellular process that mediates neuronal damage within the confine central nervous system (CNS), commonly observed as a significant hallmark in various neurodegenerative diseases. The excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukins (IL), chemokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF-ß), interferons (IFN), and colony-stimulating factor (CSF), by both neuroglial cells and peripheral immune cells, initiates neuronal cell death cascade and expedites the process of neurodegeneration. Despite the pivotal role of inflammation in the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, pharmaceutical interventions with anti-inflammatory drugs yield limited therapeutic efficacy, primarily due to their inability to traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB), poor bioavailability, and various side effects. In recent years, nanoparticles have garnered interest as a strategy to mitigate the immunotoxicity associated with traditional nanomedicine, presenting a promising avenue for safer and more effective BBB penetration. In this book chapter, we provide a comprehensive exploration of diverse cytokine receptor families, elucidating their physiological functions and examining their involvement in neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we delve into nanotechnology interventions targeting inflammation-related neurodegenerative diseases, offering insights into both their applications and limitations.