"Tandem" Nanomedicine Approach against Osteoclastogenesis: Polysulfide Micelles Synergically Scavenge ROS and Release Rapamycin

Biomacromolecules. 2020 Feb 10;21(2):305-318. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01348. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Abstract

We show the first example of a synergic approach of oxidant (ROS) scavenging carrier and ROS-responsive drug release in the context of a potential therapy against osteoporosis, aiming to inhibit the differentiation of inflammatory cells into osteoclasts. In our "tandem" approach, a branched amphiphilic, PEGylated polysulfide (PPSES-PEG) was preferred over a linear analogue, because of improved homogeneity in the aggregates (spherical micelles vs mixture of wormlike and spherical), increased stability, and higher drug loading (up to ∼22 wt % of antiosteoclastic rapamycin). These effects are ascribed to the branching inhibiting crystallization in the polysulfide blocks. The ROS-scavenging micelles alone were already able to reduce osteoclastogenesis in a RAW 264.7 model, but the "drug" combination (the polymer itself + rapamycin released only under oxidation) completely abrogated the process. An important take-home message is that the synergic performance depended very strongly on the oxidant:oxidizable group molar ratio, a parameter to carefully tune in the perspective of targeting specific diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Liberation
  • Mice
  • Micelles*
  • Nanomedicine / methods*
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects*
  • Osteogenesis / physiology
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sirolimus / pharmacokinetics*
  • Sulfides / chemistry
  • Sulfides / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Drug Carriers
  • Micelles
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Sulfides
  • propylene sulfide
  • polysulfide
  • Sirolimus