Macrophage-Targeted Dextran Sulfate-Dexamethasone Conjugate Micelles for Effective Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic immune disease that causes joint affection and even disability. Activated macrophages play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of RA by producing pro-inflammatory factors. The use of dexamethasone (DXM) is effective in relieving the intractable pain and inflammatory progression of RA. However, long-term use of DXM is strongly associated with increased rates of diabetes, osteoporosis, bone fractures, and mortality, which hinders its clinical use. In this study, the dextran sulfate-cisaconitic anhydride-dexamethasone (DXM@DS-cad-DXM) micelles were prepared to treat RA by selectively recognizing scavenger receptor (SR) on the activated macrophages. The potent targeting property of DXM@DS-cad-DXM micelles to SR was by fluorescence microscope. Additionally, the effective accumulation and powerful anti-inflammatory activity of DXM@DS-cad-DXM micelles were observed in the inflamed joints of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats after intravenous administration. Overall, DXM@DS-cad-DXM micelles are a potentially effective nanomedicine for targeted therapy of RA.

• Authors: Jiangfan Han, Ren Na, Ningning Zhao, Xiaofeng Yuan, Linke Fu, Jianmei Jing, Airong Qian, Weiliang Ye
• Journal: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (Molecules) Vol. 28 Issue 2 (Jan 06 2023) ISSN: 1420-3049 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 36677648 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Micelles
• Dextran Sulfate
• Receptors, Scavenger
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Rats
• Animals
• Micelles
• Dextran Sulfate
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (drug therapy)
• Macrophages
• Receptors, Scavenger
• Dexamethasone