Interplay of nano-based delivery systems and protein signalling in ameliorating lung diseases

Respiratory disorders consistently rank among the top three causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, impacting various aspects of pulmonary function and compromising the lungs' physiological ability. A plethora of treatments are available, but most of them are symptomatic, necessitating a focus on addressing the root cause of diseases. The advent of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems with therapeutic potential represents a groundbreaking frontier in the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. These systems, with their limited applications of conventional drug delivery, have consistently proven to be a game-changer. The integration of nanotechnology-based treatments in respiratory medicine presents significant opportunities for a variety of reasons. These range from a targeted delivery approach to enhanced therapeutic efficacy with significantly minimized side effects. Nano-sized drug carriers can deeply infiltrate lung tissues, enabling more efficient targeting of pathogens and the development of innovative treatments such as gene therapies, precise drug delivery systems, and customized vaccinations for respiratory illnesses. Numerous signalling pathways such as MAPK, JNK-STAT, Wnt, cAMP, NF-κB, TLR, TGF-β, PI3K/mTOR and EGFR have a key role in the pathophysiological as well as therapeutic outcomes of respiratory diseases. The convergence of nano-based drugs designed to target specific proteins of these intricate cell signalling pathways implicated in disease progression holds immense potential in enhancing the drug effects by specificity and minimizing the systemic side effects. This review explores the intricate interplay between the nano-based drug delivery and protein signalling pathways involved in the pathogenesis and management of lung diseases. The key advancements and challenges in the field are discussed, highlighting the potential of nanomedicine to redefine the landscape for the management of lung diseases. This will ultimately provide new opportunities for pulmonary clinics and reduce the massive burden that is faced across the globe due to various lung diseases.