Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed neutrophil “nanosponges” that can safely absorb and neutralize a variety of proteins that play a role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Injections of these nanosponges effectively treated severe rheumatoid arthritis in two mouse models. Administering the nanosponges early on also prevented the disease from developing.
The work is published Sept. 3 in Nature Nanotechnology.
“Nanosponges are a new paradigm of treatment to block pathological molecules from triggering disease in the body,” said senior author Liangfang Zhang, a nanoengineering professor at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. “Rather than creating treatments to block a few specific types of pathological molecules, we are developing a platform that can block a broad spectrum of them, and this way we can treat and prevent disease more effectively and efficiently.”
This work is one of the latest examples of therapeutic nanosponges developed by Zhang’s lab. Zhang, who is also affiliated with the Institute of Engineering in Medicine and Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, and his team previously developed red blood cell nanosponges to combat and prevent MRSA infections and macrophage nanosponges to treat and manage sepsis.
The new nanosponges are nanoparticles of biodegradable polymer coated with the cell membranes of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.
Neutrophils are among the immune system’s first responders against invading pathogens. They are also known to play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes painful inflammation in the joints and can ultimately lead to damage of cartilage and bone tissue.
When rheumatoid arthritis develops, cells in the joints produce inflammatory proteins called cytokines. Release of cytokines signals neutrophils to enter the joints. Once there, cytokines bind to receptors on the neutrophil surfaces, activating them to release more cytokines, which in turn draws more neutrophils to the joints and so on.
The nanosponges essentially nip this inflammatory cascade in the bud. By acting as tiny neutrophil decoys, they intercept cytokines and stop them from signaling even more neutrophils to the joints, reducing inflammation and joint damage.
These nanosponges offer a promising alternative to current treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Some monoclonal antibody drugs, for example, have helped patients manage symptoms of the disease, but they work by neutralizing only specific types of cytokines. This is not sufficient to treat the disease, said Zhang, because there are so many different types of cytokines and pathological molecules involved.
“Neutralizing just one or two types might not be as effective. So our approach is to take neutrophil cell membranes, which naturally have receptors to bind all these different types of cytokines, and use them to manage an entire population of inflammatory molecules,” said Zhang.
“This strategy removes the need to identify specific cytokines or inflammatory signals in the process. Using entire neutrophil cell membranes, we’re cutting off all these inflammatory signals at once,” said first author Qiangzhe Zhang, a Ph.D. student in Professor Liangfang Zhang’s research group at UC San Diego.
To make the neutrophil nanosponges, the researchers first developed a method to separate neutrophils from whole blood. They then processed the cells in a solution that causes them to swell and burst, leaving the membranes behind. The membranes were then broken up into much smaller pieces. Mixing them with ball-shaped nanoparticles made of biodegradable polymer fused the neutrophil cell membranes onto the nanoparticle surfaces.
“One of the major challenges of this work was streamlining this entire process, from isolating neutrophils from blood to removing the membranes, and making this process repeatable. We spent a lot of time figuring this out and eventually created a consistent neutrophil nanosponge production line,” said Qiangzhe Zhang.
In mouse models of severe rheumatoid arthritis, injecting nanosponges in inflamed joints led to reduced swelling and protected cartilage from further damage. The nanosponges performed just as well as treatments in which mice were administered a high dose of monoclonal antibodies.
The nanosponges also worked as a preventive treatment when administered prior to inducing the disease in another group of mice.
Professor Liangfang Zhang cautions that the nanosponge treatment does not eliminate the disease. “We are basically able to manage the disease. It’s not completely gone. But swelling is greatly reduced and cartilage damage is minimized,” he said.
The team hopes to one day see their work in clinical trials.
The Latest on: Rheumatoid arthritis
via Google News
The Latest on: Reumatoid arthritis
- Acupuncture Found Effective For Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief on December 29, 2018 at 5:28 am
Researchers conclude that acupuncture increases the total effective rate of drug therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University ... […]
- Cancer Treatment and Arthritis: A Growing Complaint on December 27, 2018 at 10:54 am
"It's likely that the rheumatic complications of these drugs will become more common than rheumatoid arthritis itself," he stated. The ICIs block co-stimulatory molecules on T-cells, antigen presentin... […]
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis differ significantly on December 26, 2018 at 12:45 pm
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: For the past few months, I’ve had a lot of stiffness in a few of my fingers, especially toward the end of the day. I’m 47. Could this be the beginning of arthritis? If so, at what po... […]
- One woman on coping with blindness and arthritis: 'Joy is a choice' on December 21, 2018 at 5:04 am
The mother of two was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at just 3 years old. She also has uveitis, a form of eye inflammation, which left her with limited vision and, eventually, left her b... […]
- Data-Driven PPC Insights to Engage Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients on December 21, 2018 at 4:53 am
Competition among pharmaceutical brands focusing on rheumatoid arthritis is strong and driven by a growing patient need. These research points – and my suggestions for your action – will help you with ... […]
- NDA Submitted for Investigational Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment on December 20, 2018 at 11:18 am
AbbVie has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for upadacitinib (ABT-494), their investigational oral treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Upadacitinib ... […]
- This Vitamin Supplement Can Help Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis on December 20, 2018 at 10:39 am
Vitamin D is considered an essential part of healthy living. From reducing the risk of asthma attacks, treating sunburns and even lessening the symptoms of depression, vitamin D is frequently supporte... […]
- Wear the Gown: Tackling rheumatoid arthritis on December 20, 2018 at 7:28 am
"Early to mid January of this year I started having a lot of extra joint pain," said 65-year-old Allen Strickland, who told us rheumatoid arthritis practically stopped his life in its tracks. "It was ... […]
- Herbs and Spices For Natural Relief From Rheumatoid Arthritis on December 20, 2018 at 6:41 am
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disease that affects many people around the globe. There are numerous causes for rheumatoid arthritis which is known for causing inflammation in joints. There are ... […]
- This Is the Best Diet for Arthritis Patients on December 19, 2018 at 3:07 am
Case-in-point, consuming the right diet may help offer relief from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms along with contributing to disease management. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that ... […]
via Bing News