The extracellular matrix of dense, avascular tissues presents a barrier to polymer-based therapeutics, such as drugs encapsulated within polymeric particles. Jeffrey Hubbell and colleagues now show that biomolecular binding of sufficiently small polymer nanoparticles can transform the matrix of cartilage tissue from a barrier into a reservoir, considerably improving the bioavailability of drugs in the matrix.
- Dominique A. Rothenfluh
- Harry Bermudez
- Jeffrey A. Hubbell
