Nanomedicine development for autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases result from a dysfunctional immune system in which the body attacks its own organs, tissues, cells, and macromolecules. This group of diseases consists of more than 80 chronic diseases that often lead to disabilities. Targeting therapy for autoimmune diseases faces two major challenges: (1) identification of autoreactive cells that can be targeted for suppression; and (2) penetration through target tissues to specifically deliver drugs to the desired cells and thus to achieve sufficient therapeutic efficacy. Regarding the latter, multiple drug delivery approaches have been developed. In the present work, the current nanomedicine development strategies for the improved treatment of several common autoimmune diseases are reviewed.