A PepT1 mediated medicinal nano-system for targeted delivery of cyclosporine A to alleviate acute severe ulcerative colitis

Biomater Sci. 2019 Oct 1;7(10):4299-4309. doi: 10.1039/c9bm00925f. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

Abstract

To effectively alleviate acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC), we developed a colon-specific delivery system-PLGA-KPV/MMT/CS multifunctional medicinal nanoparticles loaded with cyclosporine A (CyA). The lysine-proline-valine (KPV) tripeptide, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties and high affinity to peptide transporter 1 (PepT1), can target therapy-related cells (colonic epithelial cells and macrophages) via overexpression of PepT1. Montmorillonite (MMT)/chitosan (CS) coating can reduce CyA leakage in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and enhance nanoparticle adhesion to the inflamed colon. The bio-distribution demonstrated that nanoparticles can specifically accumulate in the inflamed tissues and can be retained for up to 36 h. After being treated with the CyA-PLGA-KPV/MMT/CS nanoparticles (PKMCN), the mice with DSS-induced ulcerative colitis exhibited significant improvements in body weight, colon length, and disease activity index. Moreover, biochemistry and immunohistochemical analysis showed that the PKMCN treatment group performed as well as the healthy group. Intriguingly, PKMCN without CyA also presented marked therapeutic effects. Our results suggested that PKMCN could be a promising drug delivery system for ASUC therapy by targeting inflamed cells, prolonging curative time, and mitigating colitis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / chemically induced
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / metabolism*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / pathology
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Colon / pathology
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclosporine / chemistry
  • Dextran Sulfate
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Oligopeptides / administration & dosage*
  • Oligopeptides / chemistry
  • Peptide Transporter 1 / metabolism*
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / administration & dosage
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptide Transporter 1
  • Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer
  • Cyclosporine
  • Dextran Sulfate