Applications of Nanobiomaterials in the Therapy and Imaging of Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure(ALF),a fatal clinical disease featured with overwhelming hepatocyte necrosis,is a grand challenge in global health.However,a satisfactory therapeutic option for curing ALF is still absent,other than liver transplantation.Nanobiomaterials are currently being developed for the diagnosis and treatment of ALF.The liver can sequester most of nanoparticles from blood circulation,which becomes an intrinsic superiority for nanobiomaterials targeting hepatic diseases.Nanobiomaterials can enhance the bioavailability of free drugs,thereby significantly improving the therapeutic effects in ALF.Nanobiomaterials can also increase the liver accumulation of therapeutic agents and enable more effective targeting of the liver or specific liver cells.In addition,stimuli-responsive,optical,or magnetic nanomaterials exhibit great potential in the therapeutical,diagnostic,and imaging applications in ALF.Therefore,therapeutic agents in combination with nanobiomaterials increase the specificity of ALF therapy,diminish adverse systemic effects,and offer a multifunctional theranostic platform.Nanobiomaterial holds excellent significance and prospects in ALF theranostics.In this review,we summarize the therapeutic mechanisms and targeting strategies of various nanobiomaterials in ALF.We highlight recent developments of diverse nanomedicines for ALF therapy,diagnosis,and imaging.Furthermore,the challenges and future perspectives in the theranostics of ALF are also discussed.