Jun-Kyu Park

Preparation of pullulan-g-poly(L-lysine) and it’s evaluation as a gene carrier

In this study, polypeptide/polysaccharide graft copolymers pullulan-g-poly(L-lysine) (PULPLL) was prepared through the ring opening polymerization of ɛ-benzoxycarbonyl L-lysine N-carboxyanhydrides (Z-L-lysine NCA) in the presence of pullulan. The PULPLL copolymer nanoparticles, which are prepared by the diafiltration method, were investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (1H NMR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and fluorescence spectroscopy. The PULPLL copolymers formed self-aggregated nanoparticles in the aqueous milieu. The physicochemical characterization revealed that the nanoparticle size ranged between 60 and 500 nanometers, and the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) is 0.001∼0.1 g/L, depending on the degree of substitution. With negligible cytotoxicity and higher transfection efficiency, PULPLL nanoparticles may be safe gene carriers.

Evaluation of polyethylene glycol-conjugated novel polymeric anti-tumor drug for cancer therapy

A novel polymeric prodrug (PXPEG) was prepared to enhance the solubility of an anti-cancer drug, paclitaxel, in aqueous solutions and decrease the cytotoxicity by PEGylation, which means PEG attached to another molecule. In addition, the targeting ligand, transferrin (TF), was modified to PXPEG to enhance the therapeutic efficacy. The targeting ligand-modified PXPEG (TFPXPEG) was examined by (1)H-NMR to confirm the successful synthesis. The synthesized TFPXPEG had better solubility than the free drug against aqueous solution. The particle size of TFPXPEG was approximately 197.2nm and it had a spherical shape. The MTT assay showed that the anti-tumor efficiency of TFPXPEG was better than that of TF-unmodified PXPEG. In the KB tumor-bearing mouse model, the tumor volume of TFPXPEG treated groups was decreased dramatically by more than 2 fold or 3 fold compared to the PBS or PXPEG treated groups. The in vitro and in vivo evaluation showed that TFPXPEG had better efficacy than that of PXPEG due to the targeting effect of targeting ligands, such as TF.

Comparison of sirolimus loaded PLGA-PEG Co-polymer coronary stent and bare metal stent in a porcine coronary restenosis model

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the sirolimus loaded PLGA-PEG co-polymer coronary stent with that of the bare metal stent in a porcine coronary restenosis model. Pigs were randomized into two groups (10 pigs, 10 coronary arteries in each group), in which either the sirolimus loaded PLGA-PEG copolymer stent (SPPS, n=10) or the bare metal stent (BMS, n=10) was implanted in the coronary arteries. Histopathologic analysis was performed at 28 days after stenting. There were no significant differences in the injury score, internal elastic lamina (IEL) area, and inflammation score between the two groups. There were significant differences in the lumen area (3.6±0.42 mm2 in the SPPS group vs. 2.5±0.89 mm2 in the BMS group, p<0.001), in the neointimal area (1.2±0.34 mm2 in the SPPS group vs. 2.5±0.99 mm2 in the BMS group, p<0.001), in the percent area stenosis (26.0±6.58% in the SPPS group vs. 48.6±16.95% in the BMS group, p<0.001) and in the fibrin score (1.2±0.41 in the SPPS group vs. 0.5±0.26 in the BMS group, p<0.001). These results demonstrate that SPPS had a superior effect on suppression of neointimal hyperplasia than BMS at one month after stenting in a porcine coronary restenosis model.

Anticancer effect of gene/peptide co-delivery system using transferrin-grafted LMWSC.

A series of ternary complex was designed to deliver psiRNA-bcl2 and (KLA)4 peptide into cancer cells for cancer therapy. The delivered psiRNA-bcl2 induced gene-silencing in a nucleus of cancer cells, while (KLA)4 peptide inhibited cancer growth via mitochondrial apoptosis, indicating that the ternary complexes exerted very strong synergistic effects on cancer growth suppression by acting on psiRNA-bcl2 and (KLA)4 peptide simultaneously. The ternary complexes having a targeting-ligand, transferrin (TfP), were found to be especially effective at binding to the TfP receptor rich cancer cells, HCT119. The plasmid DNA (pDNA) in ternary complexes was completely condensed at various content of LMWSC-PEG-TfP (32-64 times more than pDNA) and released into cells. pDNA in the complexes was protected from DNase present on the exterior of cells. The size (165-248 nm) of ternary complexes with LMWSC-PEG-TfP was increased, but surface charges (3-4.5 mV) were decreased. These results likely occurred because the free amine-group of LMWSC decreased in response to conjugated transferrin. Moreover, transfected ternary complexes with LMWSC-PEG-TfP were not expressed in the normal cells (HEK293), but were over expressed in HCT119 cells. These findings indicate that the ternary complexes can be specifically targeted to HCT119 cancer cells. The useful complexes for gene and peptide delivery had high anticancer activities via a synergistic effect due to co-operative action of psiRNA and (KLA)4 peptide in HCT119 cells.

Stent linker effect in a porcine coronary restenosis model.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mechanical effects of different stent linker designs on in-stent restenosis in porcine coronary arteries. We fabricated stents with an open-cell structure composed of nine main cells and three linker structures in model 1 (I-type), model 2 (S-types) and model 3 (U-types)) as well as Model 4, which is similar to a commercial bare metal stent design. The stent cells were 70 mm thick and wide, with a common symmetrical wave pattern. As the radial force increased, the number of main cells increased and the length of linker decreased. Radial force was higher in model 1, with a linear I-linker, than in models with S- or U-linkers. The flexibility measured by three-point bending showed a force of 1.09 N in model 1, 0.35 N in model 2, 0.19 N in model 3, and 0.31 N in model 4. The recoil results were similar in all models except model 4 and were related to the shape of the main cells. The foreshortening results were related to linker shape, with the lowest foreshortening observed in model 3 (U-linker). Restenosis areas in the porcine restenosis model 4 weeks after implantation were 35.4 ± 8.39% (model 1), 30.4 ± 7.56% (model 2), 40.6 ± 9.87% (model 3) and 45.1 ± 12.33% (model 4). In-stent restenosis rates measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) showed similar trends as percent area stenosis measured by micro-CT. Model 2, with optimized flexibility and radial force due to its S-linker, showed significantly reduced restenosis in the animal model compared to stents with different linker designs. These results suggest that the optimal stent structure has a minimum radial force for vascular support and maximum flexibility for vascular conformability. The importance of the effects of these differences in stent design and their potential relationship with restenosis remains to be determined.

Development of a novel drug-eluting stent consisting of an abluminal and luminal coating layer dual therapy system

The aim of this study was to develop a dual drug-coated stent using a bi-directional coating system. Sirolimus (SRL) was coated onto the abluminal area of the stent to prevent restenosis, and WKYMVm, a peptide for endothelial homing, was coated onto the luminal area of the stent to enhance endothelialization. To verify the bidirectional coating of materials, various morphological analysis was carried out by using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The release velocities of the drugs coated onto the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the stent were investigated by using instruments that mimic the body’s circulation system. The proliferation of smooth muscle cells was inhibited by SRL, whereas the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells was enhanced by WKYMVm. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to separate coating layers of the stent strut with new coating technology for the bi-directional function of drugs.

Comparison of dextran‐based sirolimus‐eluting stents and PLA‐based sirolimus‐eluting stents in vitro and in vivo

The aim of this study was to compare dextran and Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) polymer stent coatings as mediators for sirolimus (SRL) drug elution in a porcine coronary model. The bare metal stent (BMS) surface was first coated with a layer of SRL and then either dextran (DSS, a natural polymer) or PLA (PSS, a synthetic polymer). The release velocity of SRL was slightly faster in DSS than PSS over the first 7 days (78.5% and 62.3%, respectively, n = 10, p < 0.05) and continued to 28 days in both groups. The contact angle was dramatically decreased in DSS (38.7° ± 1.24) compared to BMS and PSS groups (72.7° ± 5.32 and 81.1º ± 1.70, respectively, n = 10, p < 0.05). Smooth muscle cell migration was arrested in both the DSS and PSS-treated groups compared to that in the nontreated group (4.2% ± 0.31, 5.8% ± 0.60, 80.0% ± 4.4, respectively, n = 10, p < 0.05). In the animal study, there were no significant differences in the injury score, the internal elastic lamina, and the lumen area among the groups. However, percent area stenosis was significantly decreased in the SRL-containing group (27.5% ± 2.52 in DSS and 27.9% ± 3.30 in PSS) compared to BMS (35.9% ± 3.51, p < 0.05). The fibrin score was higher in the PSS (2.9 ± 0.31) than BMS (2.1 ± 0.12) and DSS (2.5 ± 0.66). The inflammation score in the DSS (0.7 ± 0.21) was similar to that in the BMS (0.7 ± 0.12), which was dramatically lower than that PSS (1.5 ± 0.18, p < 0.005). Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that endothelialization was increased and inflammation prevented in the DSS. These results suggest that dextran may be useful for the fabrication of drug eluting stent as an alternative existing synthetic polymer.

Prednisolone- and sirolimus-eluting stent: Anti-inflammatory approach for inhibiting in-stent restenosis.

Glucocorticoids are powerful anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and anti-proliferative agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a prednisolone- (PDScs) and sirolimus-coated stent (SRLcs) in preventing artery vessel neointimal hyperplasia and inflammatory reactions in vitro and in vivo. PDS, a synthetic glucocorticoid, is a derivative of cortisol, which is used to treat a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. The stents were fabricated with PDS, SRL, or both agents using a layer-by-layer coating system (designated as PDScs, SRLcs, and PDSRLcs, respectively). The surface morphology of the PDScs showed an evenly dispersed and roughened shape, which was smoothened by the SRL coating. Half of the total drug amounts were released within seven days, followed by an additional release, which continued for up to 28 days. The proliferation of smooth muscle cells was inhibited in the SRLcs group (31.5 ± 4.08%), and this effect was enhanced by PDS addition (PDSRLcs, 46.8 ± 8.11%). Consistently, in the animal study, the restenosis rate was inhibited by the SRLcs and PDSRLcs (18.5 ± 6.23% and 14.5 ± 3.55%, respectively). Especially, fibrin expression and inflammation were suppressed in the PDS-containing group (PDScs, 0.6 ± 0.12 and 1.4 ± 0.33; PDSRLcs, 0.7 ± 0.48 and 1.7 ± 0.12, respectively) compared to PDS non-containing groups (BMS, 1.1 ± 0.12, and 1.8 ± 0.55; SRLcs, 1.6 ± 0.32 and 2.0 ± 0.62, respectively). Moreover, re-endothelialization was enhanced in the PDScs group as determined using immunohistochemistry with a cluster of differentiation (CD)-31 antibodies. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of SRLcs on anti-restenosis can be accelerated by additional coating with PDS, which has promising properties as a bioactive compound with useful anti-inflammatory effects.

Bile acid conjugated chitosan oligosaccharide nanoparticles for paclitaxel carrier

To develop a paclitaxel carrier based on chitosan, chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) was chemically modified with bile acid (deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid) as a hydrophobic group. Paclitaxel was loaded in bile acid conjugated chitosan oligosaccharide (CBs) nanoparticles by a dialysis method. We confirmed that the paclitaxel-loaded COS (CBs-Tx) nanoparticles could be successfully prepared with a yield of 80%–90% and paclitaxel encapsulation of 54%–70%. The size of CB nanoparticles was in the range of 200–300 nm, and it increased to 300–400 nm after paclitaxel loading with the narrow size distribution maintained. Paclitaxel-loaded CBs (CBs-Tx) nanoparticles showed remarkably high anticancer activity compared with paclitaxel in cremophore EL (CrEL)-ethanol against B16F10 cells. The antitumor efficacy in vivo was shown with significant inhibition of the tumor growth in both paclitaxel-treated groups. The effect on tumor size by the paclitaxel in the CrEL-ethanol formulation appeared to be slightly larger than that in CBs-Tx. The decrease in cytotoxicity and the increase in antitumor activity may lead to the improvement in the therapeutic index in clinical use compared to commercial paclitaxel. The efficacy of CBs-Tx nanoparticles suggests that bile acid as a hydrophobic group may have a potential application of effectively loading hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel.

Sirolimus coating on heparinized stents prevents restenosis and thrombosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of sirolimus coating on the occurrence of restenosis and thrombosis with heparinized stents. Heparin and dopamine were conjugated by chemical bonding and anchored on the stent surface by a mussel-inspired adhesion mechanism. Subsequently, sirolimus was coated with poly lactic-glycolic acid on the heparinized stent surface. The heparin was well attached to the surface, and the surface was smooth after sirolimus coating. The smoothness of the surface was maintained after expansion of the stent. The amount of sirolimus released from the stent was 67.3% ± 4.55% within 7 days, followed by continual release up to day 28. The proliferation of smooth muscle cells was successfully arrested (51.3% ± 2.25% at 7 days of culture) by sirolimus released from the stent. Platelet adhesion was clearly prevented in the heparin-coated group (78.0 ± 8.00/1.8 cm2) compared to that in the heparin noncoated group (5.0 ± 1.00/1.8 cm2). Animal studies showed that the heparin and sirolimus-coated stent group had no obvious inflammatory response and no change in the fibrin score compared to those in the other groups. However, restenosis clearly decreased in the heparin and sirolimus-coated group (12.3% ± 3.54%) compared to the bare-metal stent group (27.5% ± 8.52%) and the heparin-coated group (25.3% ± 11.79%). These results suggest that heparinized surface-based sirolimus coating may be a useful approach for the prevention of restenosis and stent thrombosis.