Biofunctionalized Liposomes to Monitor Rheumatoid Arthritis Regression Stimulated by Interleukin‐23 Neutralization

Abstract

Even after the revolution of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with biologic agents, this debilitating disease remains a major clinical problem. The outstanding outcomes of the systemic administration of antibodies (Abs) are narrowed by the risk of serious side effects and limited efficacy due to their short half‐life. Interleukin‐23 (IL‐23) is a crucial pro‐inflammatory cytokine involved in inflammation that potently enhances the generation of T‐helper type‐17 (Th17) cells. Hence, in this work, anti‐IL‐23 Abs are immobilized at the surface of liposomes to increase their therapeutic efficacy, being gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) incorporated to allow monitoring the biodistribution of the liposomes after systemic administration as well as due to their anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. A stable monodispersed liposomes’ suspension with around 130 nm is produced and efficiently biofunctionalized with anti‐IL‐23 Abs. IL‐23 capture and neutralization capacity are confirmed using activated macrophages. Biological assays demonstrate their hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility with human articular chondrocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Moreover, the neutralization of IL‐23 by the biofunctionalized liposomes efficiently decreases the production of IL‐17A by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors and RA patients who are activated to Th17 differentiation. Therefore, the developed formulation may be a promising strategy to treat RA.

A New Chalcone Derivative with Promising Antiproliferative and Anti-Invasion Activities in Glioblastoma Cells

“…Liposomes were prepared by the thin-film hydration method followed by extrusion [ 54 ]. Briefly, a lipid film of phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine at a ratio of 7:3 (n/n) was obtained after ethanol and dichloromethane complete evaporation in a rotatory evaporator.…”

Biomimetic and Bioinspired Intervention Strategies for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…[88] The introduction of the NP delivery systems successfully compensated for the shortcomings of the IL-23 antibody and inhibited Th17 cell differentiation in vitro (Figure 7B). [89] In addition to encapsulating cytokines into NPs, siRNA for inflammatory pathways has also been regarded as a potential method to regulate Th17 cell responses. [90] As an important element of the inflammatory milieu, regulatory T cells accumulate in the synovial fluid of patients with RA.…”

Liposomal Nanosystems in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Besides enzymes, other proteins, such as human lactoferrin, cytokines and antibodies, were also explored as a therapeutic strategy in RA [ 111 , 115 , 116 ]. An example is a liposomal formulation containing a cytokine capable of inducing apoptosis, named Apo2 ligand or tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (Apo2L/TRAIL), that was injected i.a.…”

“…: 74–90%). This system enables the capture and inactivation of IL-23, a proinflammatory cytokine, potentially attenuating inflammation and immune cell recruitment in RA [ 116 ].…”