Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alan Xu, Ruoxi Yang, Mingfei Zhang, Xiang Wang, Yuxi Di, Baoping Jiang, Yongxiang Di, Zhanwei Zhou, Lingling Zhou
Summary: Abundant M1 macrophages in the joint synovium play a major role in exacerbating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by secreting various inflammatory cytokines. This study identifies cGAS-STING as an important pro-inflammatory pathway upregulated in RA and proposes it as a potential target for RA therapy. The researchers developed M1 macrophage-targeting micelles, capable of inhibiting the cGAS-STING pathway, for the smart treatment of RA. These micelles effectively targeted the joints, enhanced the uptake of an anti-inflammatory drug called triptolide by M1 macrophages, and reduced side effects on normal tissues.
JOURNAL OF DRUG TARGETING
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hanghang Fang, Yongjie Sha, Liang Yang, Jingjing Jiang, Lichen Yin, Jiaying Li, Bin Li, Bert Klumperman, Zhiyuan Zhong, Fenghua Meng
Summary: By nano-formulating hydroxychloroquine and designing it as a macrophage-targeted nanotherapeutic, it is possible to achieve highly effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This therapeutic approach can induce repolarization of macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype, effectively reducing inflammation, and has shown significant therapeutic effects in mouse models.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiangfan Han, Ren Na, Ningning Zhao, Xiaofeng Yuan, Linke Fu, Jianmei Jing, Airong Qian, Weiliang Ye
Summary: In this study, dextran sulfate-cisaconitic anhydride-dexamethasone (DXM@DS-cad-DXM) micelles were prepared to selectively target activated macrophages for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DXM@DS-cad-DXM micelles demonstrated potent targeting ability and anti-inflammatory activity, with effective accumulation observed in an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat model. Overall, DXM@DS-cad-DXM micelles show promise as a nanomedicine for targeted therapy of RA.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Zhang, Ze Gao, Xiaoxiao Li, Lu Li, Sujuan Ye, Bo Tang
Summary: A multifunctional drug delivery system with triple-interlocked mechanism is developed for precise drug release and photothermal therapy, demonstrating potential for effective cancer treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong Wan, Yujun Liu, Xinhao Guo, Jianxin Zhang, Jie Pan
Summary: By introducing MMPs responsive peptide chain GPLGVRGDG, the polymeric prodrug can be endowed with smart properties through a safe and simple method. In this study, it was found that during the doxorubicin delivery in TPGS(3350)-GPLGVRGDG-DOX&DOX micelles, the cleavage of the peptide chain triggers de-PEGylation, retaining the VRGDG sequence on the micelles' surface, which acts as a ligand to facilitate cell uptake and enhances cytotoxicity against 4T1 cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dong Wan, Sunfan Li, Jianxin Zhang, Guilei Ma, Jie Pan
Summary: Novel polymeric micelles with tumor microenvironment response were designed in this study to achieve precise drug release and cellular uptake in tumor tissues. The smart micelles made significant progress in material chemistry and drug delivery, showing potential for clinical applications.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xin-Yi Liu, Wen-Jun Pei, Ye-Zhen Wu, Fang-Li Ren, Si-Yu Yang, Xiu Wang
Summary: The study demonstrated that TPCX effectively enhances the water solubility of triptolide, improves transdermal permeability, and shows better therapeutic effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tianyue Zhang, Xu Ouyang, Sanhu Gou, Yun Zhang, Na Yan, Linlin Chang, Beibei Li, Fangyan Zhang, Hui Liu, Jingman Ni
Summary: In this study, two peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) were synthesized by connecting Sinomenine (SIN) with a synovial homing peptide. The cyclic conjugate (C) showed better stability in serum and inflammatory joints, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy and tissue targeting.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xuan Chen, Deshen Dai, Junping Ma, Zipei Yu, Junkai Zhao, Changqing Yi
Summary: This study presents a facile and green synthesis of a new multifunctional nanotheranostic probe for the synergistic therapy and in situ assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The probe shows excellent biocompatibility, water solubility, and targeting ability towards inflamed joints. It releases drugs in a responsive manner and enables MR and CT dual-modal imaging for evaluation of synovial thickness and bone erosion. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate the probe's high effectiveness in inhibiting inflammation.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiong Peng, Yuping Yang, Chenqi Guo, Qin He, Yan Li, Tao Gong, Jia Li
Summary: This study developed a phospholipid-based phase separation gel (BBR-PPSG) loaded with berberine to achieve sustained drug release and long-term therapeutic effect. The stability of BBR-PPSG was verified, and it was found to be able to be stored for a long time. Pharmacokinetic studies on rats and rabbits showed that BBR-PPSG achieved sustained release for one month, significantly increased the area under the curve (AUC) by nearly 9-fold, and prolonged the half-life (t(1/2)) by 10-fold. Animal experiments also demonstrated that BBR-PPSG administration once a month effectively alleviated joint swelling and reduced TNF-a levels.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Jingmou Yu, Liangliang Wang, Yun Ling, Xin Xiao, Juntao Gong, Hongguang Jin, Jing Xu, Pu Chen, Xin Xie, Lei Zhang
Summary: In this study, novel polymeric nanoparticles targeting dual receptors and responding to reducing conditions for drug release were developed for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. The bioresponsive drug release of the nanoparticles was demonstrated, and it was found that they effectively targeted specific receptors both in vitro and in vivo. The nanoparticles showed higher cytotoxicity and cellular uptake compared to unmodified drug-containing micelles, and they exhibited the strongest suppression of tumor growth in a mouse model. These findings suggest that amphiphilic nanoparticles can serve as a targeted and intelligent delivery vehicle for triple-negative breast cancer therapy.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Radostina Kalinova, Ivaylo Dimitrov
Summary: This study aimed to construct novel functional PIC micelles with cell targeting ligands on the surface and evaluate the possibility of encapsulating hydrophobic drugs. The results showed that PIC micelles can successfully be used as carriers for hydrophobic drugs, expanding their potential applications in nanomedicine.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Igor Moura de Paiva, Mohammad Reza Vakili, Amir Hasan Soleimani, Seyed Amirhossein Tabatabaei Dakhili, Sirazum Munira, Marco Paladino, Gary Martin, Frank R. Jirik, Dennis G. Hall, Michael Weinfeld, Afsaneh Lavasanifar
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential benefit of EGFR-targeted polymeric micellar formulations of A83B4C63 as monotherapeutics for aggressive and metastatic colorectal cancer tumors. The modification of polymeric micelles with GE11 enhances drug delivery and specificity to CRC tumors, resulting in improved therapeutic activity against CRC cells and xenografts. However, further development of EGFR ligands with improved physiological stability and EGFR binding is needed.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Huanhuan Chen, Ying Sun, Xiaojuan Xu, Qifa Ye
Summary: This study investigated the use of yeast-derived beta-(1, 3)-glucans to fabricate nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility and were effectively internalized by macrophages, leading to the reduction of pro-inflammatory factors in inflamed tissues. This work provides a safe alternative strategy for the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using beta-glucan nanoparticles as carriers.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Shuangshuang Zhang, Ludan Zhao, Xu Peng, Qiaomei Sun, Xiaoxiang Liao, Na Gan, Gang Zhao, Hui Li
Summary: In this study, LFT-loaded soy phospholipid and sodium glycocholate mixed micelles (LFT-MMs) were prepared to enhance the solubility and oral bioavailability of lenvatinib. The optimized LFT-MMs showed significant improvements in solubility, encapsulation efficiency, stability, and biocompatibility. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated enhanced antitumor activity and relative bioavailability of LFT-MMs compared to the original form of lenvatinib. These findings suggest that LFT-MMs are promising formulations for lenvatinib oral delivery.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)