Kaoxiang Sun

Effects of a novel pH-sensitive liposome with cleavable esterase-catalyzed and pH-responsive double smart mPEG lipid derivative on ABC phenomenon

Background The ABC phenomenon is described as a syndrome of accelerated clearance of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified liposomes from the bloodstream when repeatedly injected, with their increased accumulation in the liver and spleen. Methods To clarify this immune response phenomenon, we evaluated a novel modified pH-sensitive liposome with a cleavable double smart PEG-lipid derivative (mPEG-Hz-CHEMS). Results The ABC phenomenon in mice was brought about by repeated injection of conventional PEG-PE liposomes and was accompanied by a greatly increased uptake in the liver. However, a slight ABC phenomenon was brought about by repeated injection of mPEG-CHEMS liposomes and was accompanied by only a slightly increased uptake in the liver, and repeated injection of mPEG-Hz-CHEMS liposomes did not induce the ABC phenomenon and there was no increase in liver accumulation. This finding indicates that the cleavable mPEG-Hz-CHEMS derivative could lessen or eliminate the ABC phenomenon induced by repeated injection of PEGylated liposomes. Conclusion This research has shed some light on a solution to the ABC phenomenon using a cleavable PEG-Hz-CHEMS derivative encapsulated in nanoparticles.

pH and temperature dual-sensitive liposome gel based on novel cleavable mPEG-Hz-CHEMS polymeric vaginal delivery system

Background In this study, a pH and temperature dual-sensitive liposome gel based on a novel cleavable hydrazone-based pH-sensitive methoxy polyethylene glycol 2000-hydrazone-cholesteryl hemisuccinate (mPEG-Hz-CHEMS) polymer was used for vaginal administration. Methods The pH-sensitive, cleavable mPEG-Hz-CHEMS was designed as a modified pH-sensitive liposome that would selectively degrade under locally acidic vaginal conditions. The novel pH-sensitive liposome was engineered to form a thermogel at body temperature and to degrade in an acidic environment. Results A dual-sensitive liposome gel with a high encapsulation efficiency of arctigenin was formed and improved the solubility of arctigenin characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The dual-sensitive liposome gel with a sol-gel transition at body temperature was degraded in a pH-dependent manner, and was stable for a long period of time at neutral and basic pH, but cleavable under acidic conditions (pH 5.0). Arctigenin encapsulated in a dual-sensitive liposome gel was more stable and less toxic than arctigenin loaded into pH-sensitive liposomes. In vitro drug release results indicated that dual-sensitive liposome gels showed constant release of arctigenin over 3 days, but showed sustained release of arctigenin in buffers at pH 7.4 and pH 9.0. Conclusion This research has shed some light on a pH and temperature dual-sensitive liposome gel using a cleavable mPEG-Hz-CHEMS polymer for vaginal delivery.

Improvement of in vivo efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin by encapsulation in PEG-PLA micelle.

To improve the pharmacokinetics and stability of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), rhEPO was successfully formulated into poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(d,l-lactide) (PEG–PLA) di-block copolymeric micelles at diameters ranging from 60 to 200 nm with narrow polydispersity indices (PDIs; PDI < 0.3) and trace amount of protein aggregation. The zeta potential of the spherical micelles was in the range of −3.78 to 4.65 mV and the highest encapsulation efficiency of rhEPO in the PEG–PLA micelles was about 80%. In vitro release profiles indicated that the stability of rhEPO in the micelles was improved significantly and only a trace amount of aggregate was found. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed highly enhanced plasma retention time of the rhEPO-loaded PEG-PLA micelles in comparison with the native rhEPO group. Increased hemoglobin concentrations were also found in the rat study. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis results demonstrated that rhEPO was successfully encapsulated into the micelles, which was stable in phosphate buffered saline with different pHs and concentrations of NaCl. Therefore, PEG–PLA micelles can be a potential protein drug delivery system.

Intranasal delivery of rotigotine to the brain with lactoferrin-modified PEG-PLGA nanoparticles for Parkinson’s disease treatment

Sustainable and safe delivery of brain-targeted drugs is highly important for successful therapy in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study was designed to formulate biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs), which were surface-modified with lactoferrin (Lf), for efficient intranasal delivery of rotigotine to the brain for the treatment of PD. Rotigotine NPs were prepared by nanoprecipitation, and the effect of various independent process variables on the resulting properties of NPs was investigated by a Box–Behnken experimental design. The physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties of the NPs and Lf-NPs were characterized, and the release kinetics suggested that both NPs and Lf-NPs provided continuous, slow release of rotigotine for 48 h. Neither rotigotine NPs nor Lf-NPs reduced the viability of 16HBE and SH-SY5Y cells; in contrast, free rotigotine was cytotoxic. Qualitative and quantitative cellular uptake studies demonstrated that accumulation of Lf-NPs was greater than that of NPs in 16HBE and SH-SY5Y cells. Following intranasal administration, brain delivery of rotigotine was much more effective with Lf-NPs than with NPs. The brain distribution of rotigotine was heterogeneous, with a higher concentration in the striatum, the primary region affected in PD. This strongly suggested that Lf-NPs enable the targeted delivery of rotigotine for the treatment of PD. Taken together, these results demonstrated that Lf-NPs have potential as a carrier for nose-to-brain delivery of rotigotine for the treatment of PD.

Design of novel multifunctional targeting nano-carrier drug delivery system based on CD44 receptor and tumor microenvironment pH condition

Abstract In this study, to develop a multifunctional targeting nano-carrier drug delivery system for cancer therapy, the novel pH-sensitive ketal based oligosaccharides of hyaluronan (oHA) conjugates were synthesized by chemical conjugation of hydrophobic menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal (MGK) to the backbone of oHA with the histidine as the linker of proton sponge effect. The multifunctional oHA conjugates, oHA-histidine-MGK (oHM) carried the pH-sensitive MGK as hydrophobic moieties and oHA as the target of CD44 receptor. The oHM could self-assemble to nano-sized spherical shape with the average diameters of 128.6 nm at pH 7.4 PBS conditions. The oHM nanoparticles (oHMN) could release encapsulated curcumin (Cur) with 82.6% at pH 5.0 compared with 49.3% at pH 7.4. The results of cytotoxicity assay indicated that encapsulated Cur in oHMN (Cur-oHMN) were stable and have less toxicity compared to Cur suspension. The anti-tumor efficacy in vivo suggested that Cur-oHMN suppressed tumor growth most efficiently. These results present the promising potential of oHMN as a stable and effective nano-sized pH-sensitive drug delivery system for cancer treatment.

The glucose-lowering potential of exenatide delivered orally via goblet cell-targeting nanoparticles.

PurposeExenatide, a potent insulinotropic agent, can be used for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. However, the need for frequent injections seriously limits its therapeutic utility. The aim of present report was to develop an orally available exenatide formulation using goblet cell-targeting nanoparticles (NPs).MethodThe exenatide-loaded nanoparticles were prepared with modified chitosan which was conjugated with a goblet cell-target peptide, CSKSSDYQC (CSK) peptide.ResultsThe CSK-chitosan nanoparticles shown reduced chitosan toxicity and enhanced the permeation of drugs across the Caco-2/HT-29 co-cultured cell monolayer, which simulated the intestinal epithelium. Following the oral administration of near-infrared fluorescent probe Cy-7-loaded NPs to mice, the distribution of the drugs was investigated with a near-infrared in vivo image system (FX Pro, Bruker, USA). The results showed that Cy-7 fluorescence disseminated from the oesophagus, then to stomach and small intestine and then was absorbed into hepatic, finally into the bladder; over time, Cy-7 was metabolized and excreted. The bioavailability of the modified nanoparticles was found to be 1.7-fold higher compared with the unmodified ones, and the hypoglycemic effect was also better.ConclusionCSK peptide-modified chitosan nanoparticles could be a potential therapeutics for Type II diabetes patients.

Effect of water on exenatide acylation in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres.

Peptide or protein degradation often occurs when water flows into the dosage form. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of water on exenatide acylation in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres. Exenatide-loaded PLGA microspheres were incubated at different relative humidities (RH) as well as in solutions of different pH for 20 days. The stability of exenatide was monitored using HPLC and HPLC-MS analysis. The alteration of exenatide conformation caused by water was investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy. Exenatide and glycolide were incubated in DMSO-water solutions to verify the effect of exenatide conformation state on the peptide acylation. Exenatide was relatively stable in microspheres at lower RH, and the absorbed water could act as a plasticizer and thus promote the peptide acylation by PLGA. However, when the microspheres were incubated at 100% RH, the excessively absorbed water could cause conformation recovery of exenatide and play an inhibitory effect on acylation. The formation of acylated exenatide incubated in acetate buffer saline of pH 6.0 was more than that of pH 4.5 and 3.0. Stability studies of exenatide in glycolide solutions showed that exenatide in nonnative monomer state was easier to be acylated by eletrophiles than that in aggregation state.

Targeted delivery of polyamidoamine-paclitaxel conjugate functionalized with anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 trastuzumab

Background Antibody-dendrimer conjugates have the potential to improve the targeting and release of chemotherapeutic drugs at the tumor site while reducing adverse side effects caused by drug accumulation in healthy tissues. In this study, trastuzumab (TMAB), which binds to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), was used as a targeting agent in a TMAB-polyamidoamine (PAMAM) conjugate carrying paclitaxel (PTX) specifically to cells overexpressing HER2. Methods TMAB was covalently linked to a PAMAM dendrimer via bifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG). PTX was conjugated to PAMAM using succinic anhydride as a cross-linker, yielding TMAB-PEG-PAMAM-PTX. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the conjugates. The cellular uptake and in vivo biodistribution were studied by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and Carestream In Vivo FX, respectively. Results Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated that PEG, PTX, fluorescein isothiocyanate, and cyanine7 were conjugated to PAMAM. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated that TMAB was conjugated to PEG-PAMAM. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed that the different conjugates ranged in size between 10 and 35 nm and had a spherical shape. In vitro cellular uptake demonstrated that the TMAB-conjugated PAMAM was taken up by HER2-overexpressing BT474 cells more efficiently than MCF-7 cells that expressed lower levels of HER2. Co-localization experiments indicated that TMAB-conjugated PAMAM was located in the cytoplasm. The in vitro cytotoxicity of TMAB-conjugated PAMAM was lower than free PTX due to the slow release of PTX from the conjugate. In vivo targeting further demonstrated that TMAB-conjugated PAMAM accumulated in the BT474 tumor model more efficiently than non-conjugated PAMAM. Conclusion TMAB can serve as an effective targeting agent, and the TMAB-conjugated PAMAM can be exploited as a potential targeted chemotherapeutic drug delivery system for tumors that overexpress HER2.

Magnetically and pH dual responsive dendrosomes for tumor accumulation enhanced folate-targeted hybrid drug delivery.

Dendrosomes are new tumor targeted drug delivery systems to improve safety and therapeutic effects of antitumor agents. In this study we designed and synthesized magnetically and pH dual responsive dendrosomes with magnetic nanoparticles and folate-targeted dendrimers encapsulated in long-circulating pH sensitive liposomes. Cellular uptake and tissue penetration were assessed on cell lines and tumor spheroids respectively. Xenograft mice were used to study tumor accumulation. The dendrosomes were stable at pH7.4, but responsively released their content at acidic pH. In slightly acid environments, the hybrid vectors showed similar cytotoxicity and cellular uptake to the free folate-dendrimers conjugate due to rapid release. The dendrosomes showed a greater cellular uptake by HeLa cells (FA receptor positive) due to the conjugation with folic acid (FA). In multicellular tumor spheroid tests, a slightly acidic environment and the application of magnet both promoted the permeation efficiency of the hybrid vectors. In the xenograft mice model both in vivo images and tissue distribution assessment indicated that the dendrosomes had higher peak intensity and a longer residence time. Through the synergistic effects of magnetic responsiveness and both passive and active targeting properties, the multi-functional dendrosomes were demonstrated to have great potential as a promising anticancer drug delivery platform.

Dual thermoresponsive and pH-responsive self-assembled micellar nanogel for anticancer drug delivery

Abstract In this article, we prepared a dual thermoresponsive and pH-responsive self-assembled micellar nanogel for anticancer drug delivery by using a degradable pH-responsive ketal derivative, mPEG2000-Isopropylideneglycerol (mPEG-IS, PI) polymer. The purpose of this study is to develop an injectable dual-responsive micellar nanogel system which has a sol-gel phase transition by the stimulation of body temperature with improved stability and biocompatibility as a controlled drug delivery carrier for cancer therapy. The pH-responsive PI was designed with pH-responsive ketal group as hydrophobic moieties and PEG group as hydrophilic moieties. The PI micelles encapsulated paclitaxel (PTX) was fabricated. Then, the PI micelles were formed in a thermo-nanogel. The micellar nanogel could improve the solubility and stability of PTX. The physiochemical properties of PI micelles and micellar nanogel were characterized. The results showed that dual-responsive micellar nanogel could carry out sol-gel transition at 37 °C. The PI polymer can spontaneously self-assemble into micellar structure with size of 100–200 nm. The dual-responsive micellar nanogel could be degraded under lower pH condition. The test in vitro PTX release showed that dual-responsive micellar nanogel could release about 70% for 70 h under pH 5.0 while about 10% release at pH 7.4 and pH 9.0. The dual-responsive micellar nanogel was of lower cytotoxicity and suppressed tumor growth most efficiently. The micellar nanogel will be a new potential dual-responsive drug delivery system for cancer therapy.