Targeted nano-constructs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases: A comprehensive review of advances, mechanisms, and clinical potential

Autoimmune diseases are chronic, disabling disorders that involve immune system dysfunction and recognition of self-antigens and lead to progressive tissue injury. Afflecting about 5.0-10.0% of the world's population. Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and type 1 diabetes are a major health burden. Traditional treatments, such as corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and biologics, are not antigen-specific and have systemic immune suppression, incomplete remission, and chronic side effects. Targeted nanoconstructs, which involve nanoparticles designed for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, represent a revolutionary strategy through the amplification of bioavailability, optimization of immune modulation, and reduction of off-target toxicity. These nanosystems can deliver autoantigens or immunosuppressive drugs to target immune cells or tissues, thus restoring tolerance and suppressing inflammation. Here, we give a broad overview of nanoconstruct-based approaches for treating autoimmune diseases in this review. This review describes the design principles behind nanoconstructs, including surface functionalization, materials, and routes of delivery, and reviews how these constructs regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. In addition, it emphasizes recent clinical uses, illustrated with examples from rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and type 1 diabetes, and discusses essential translational issues such as safety, scalability, regulatory hurdles, and disease heterogeneity. It is also discussing emerging trends in personalized nanomedicine, theranostics, and artificial intelligence-guided design. Together, these technologies poistion nanoconstructs as a promising next-generation platform for the effective, targeted, and individualized treatment of autoimmune diseases.