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Vu HT, Nguyen VD, Ikenaga H, Matsubara T. Application of PPAR Ligands and Nanoparticle Technology in Metabolic Steatohepatitis Treatment. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1876. [PMID: 39200340 PMCID: PMC11351628 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12081876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease/steatohepatitis (MASLD/MASH) is a major disease worldwide whose effective treatment is challenging. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily and function as ligand-activated transcription factors. To date, three distinct subtypes of PPARs have been characterized: PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ. PPARα and PPARγ are crucial regulators of lipid metabolism that modulate the transcription of genes involved in fatty acid (FA), bile acid, and cholesterol metabolism. Many PPAR agonists, including natural (FAs, eicosanoids, and phospholipids) and synthetic (fibrate, thiazolidinedione, glitazar, and elafibranor) agonists, have been developed. Furthermore, recent advancements in nanoparticles (NPs) have led to the development of new strategies for MASLD/MASH therapy. This review discusses the applications of specific cell-targeted NPs and highlights the potential of PPARα- and PPARγ-targeted NP drug delivery systems for MASLD/MASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Thai Vu
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (H.T.V.); (V.D.N.)
| | - Vien Duc Nguyen
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (H.T.V.); (V.D.N.)
| | - Hiroko Ikenaga
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Matsubara
- Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Osaka, Japan; (H.T.V.); (V.D.N.)
- Research Institute for Light-induced Acceleration System (RILACS), Osaka Metropolitan University, Sakai 599-8570, Osaka, Japan
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2
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Guixé-Muntet S, Quesada-Vázquez S, Gracia-Sancho J. Pathophysiology and therapeutic options for cirrhotic portal hypertension. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 9:646-663. [PMID: 38642564 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(23)00438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Portal hypertension represents the primary non-neoplastic complication of liver cirrhosis and has life-threatening consequences, such as oesophageal variceal bleeding, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. Portal hypertension occurs due to increased resistance of the cirrhotic liver vasculature to portal blood flow and is further aggravated by the hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome. Existing knowledge indicates that the profibrogenic phenotype acquired by sinusoidal cells is the initial factor leading to increased hepatic vascular tone and fibrosis, which cause increased vascular resistance and portal hypertension. Data also suggest that the phenotype of hepatic cells could be further impaired due to the altered mechanical properties of the cirrhotic liver itself, creating a deleterious cycle that worsens portal hypertension in the advanced stages of liver disease. In this Review, we discuss recent discoveries in the pathophysiology and treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension, a condition with few pharmacological treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Quesada-Vázquez
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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3
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Mao S, Wang X, Li M, Liu H, Liang H. The role and mechanism of hydrogen sulfide in liver fibrosis. Nitric Oxide 2024; 145:41-48. [PMID: 38360133 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the third new gas signaling molecule in the human body after the discovery of NO and CO. Similar to NO, it has the functions of vasodilation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and regulation of cell formation. Enzymes that can produce endogenous H2S, such as CSE, CSB, and 3-MST, are common in liver tissues and are important regulatory molecules in the liver. In the development of liver fibrosis, H2S concentration and expression of related enzymes change significantly, which makes it possible to use exogenous gases to treat liver diseases. This review summarizes the role of H2S in liver fibrosis and its complications induced by NAFLD and CCl4, and elaborates on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of H2S through the mechanism of reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation, regulating autophagy, regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, providing theoretical reference for further research on the treatment of liver fibrosis with H2S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoyu Mao
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Xuemei Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Miaoqing Li
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Hanshu Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Hongxia Liang
- Department of Infectious Disease and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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4
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Wang K, Chen H, Zheng J, Chen J, Chen Y, Yuan Y. Engineered liposomes targeting hepatic stellate cells overcome pathological barriers and reverse liver fibrosis. J Control Release 2024; 368:219-232. [PMID: 38367862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Dual pathological barriers, including capillarized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and deposited extracellular matrix (ECM), result in insufficient drug delivery, significantly compromising the anti-fibrosis efficacy. Additionally, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hepatic microenvironment are crucial factors contributing to the progression of liver fibrosis. Hence, hyaluronic acid (HA) modified liposomes co-delivering all-trans retinoic acid (RA) and L-arginine (L-arg) were constructed to reverse hepatic fibrosis. By exhibiting exceptional responsiveness to the fibrotic microenvironment, our cleverly constructed liposomes efficiently disrupted the hepatic sinus pathological barrier, leading to enhanced accumulation of liposomes in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and subsequent induction of HSCs quiescence. Specially, excessive ROS in liver fibrosis promotes the conversion of loaded L-arg to nitric oxide (NO). The ensuing NO serves to reestablish the fenestrae structure of capillarized LSECs, thereby augmenting the likelihood of liposomes reaching the hepatic sinus space. Furthermore, subsequent oxidation of NO by ROS into peroxynitrite activates pro-matrix metalloproteinases into matrix metalloproteinases, which further disrupts the deposited ECM barrier. Consequently, this NO-induced cascade process greatly amplifies the accumulation of liposomes within activated HSCs. More importantly, the released RA could induce quiescence of activated HSCs by significantly downregulating the expression of myosin light chain-2, thereby effectively mitigating excessive collagen synthesis and ultimately leading to the reversal of liver fibrosis. Overall, this integrated systemic strategy has taken a significant step forward in advancing the treatment of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Hao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jiani Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jiali Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yixuan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yue Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang 110016, PR China.
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Chen L, Guo W, Mao C, Shen J, Wan M. Liver fibrosis: pathological features, clinical treatment and application of therapeutic nanoagents. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:1446-1466. [PMID: 38265305 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02790b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a reversible damage-repair response, the pathological features of which mainly include damage to hepatocytes, sinusoid capillarization, hepatic stellate cells activation, excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix and inflammatory response. Although some treatments (including drugs and stem cell therapy) for these pathological features have been shown to be effective, more clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness. In recent years, nanomaterials-based therapies have emerged as an innovative and promising alternative to traditional drugs, being explored for the treatment of liver fibrosis diseases. Natural nanomaterials (including extracellular vesicles) and synthetic nanomaterials (including inorganic nanomaterials and organic nanomaterials) are developed to facilitate drug targeting delivery and combination therapy. In this review, the pathological features of liver fibrosis and the current anti-fibrosis drugs in clinical trials are briefly introduced, followed by a detailed introduction of the therapeutic nanoagents for the precise delivery of anti-fibrosis drugs. Finally, the future development trend in this field is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Wenyan Guo
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Chun Mao
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Jian Shen
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Mimi Wan
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Perramón M, Navalón-López M, Fernández-Varo G, Moreno-Lanceta A, García-Pérez R, Faneca J, López-Moya M, Fornaguera C, García-Villoria J, Morales-Ruiz M, Melgar-Lesmes P, Borrós S, Jiménez W. Liver-targeted nanoparticles delivering nitric oxide reduce portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116143. [PMID: 38219387 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a small vasodilator playing a key role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. Here, we assessed the potential therapeutic effect of a NO donor targeted to the liver by poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticles (pBAE NPs) in experimental cirrhosis. Retinol-functionalized NO donor pBAE NPs (Ret pBAE NPs) were synthetized with the aim of actively targeting the liver. Administration of Ret pBAE NPs resulted in uptake and transfection by the liver and spleen. NPs were not found in other organs or the systemic circulation. Treatment with NO donor Ret pBAE NPs (30 mg/ kg body weight) significantly decreased aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and portal pressure (9.75 ± 0.64 mmHg) compared to control NPs (13.4 ± 0.53 mmHg) in cirrhotic rats. There were no effects on mean arterial pressure and cardiac output. Liver-targeted NO donor NPs reduced collagen fibers and steatosis, activation of hepatic stellate cells and mRNA expression of profibrogenic and proinflammatory genes. Finally, Ret pBAE NPs displayed efficient transfection in human liver slices. Overall, liver-specific NO donor NPs effectively target the liver and mitigated inflammation and portal hypertension in cirrhotic rats. The use of Ret pBAE may prove to be an effective therapeutic strategy to treat advanced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Perramón
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Navalón-López
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Materials (Gemat), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillermo Fernández-Varo
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alazne Moreno-Lanceta
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocío García-Pérez
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery & Transplantation, General & Digestive Surgery Service, Digestive & Metabolic Disease Institute (ICMDM) of Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana Faneca
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mario López-Moya
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Materials (Gemat), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Fornaguera
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Materials (Gemat), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith García-Villoria
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Morales-Ruiz
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Melgar-Lesmes
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Salvador Borrós
- Grup d'Enginyeria de Materials (Gemat), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wladimiro Jiménez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Dai Q, Qing X, Jiang W, Wang S, Liu S, Liu X, Huang F, Zhao H. Aging aggravates liver fibrosis through downregulated hepatocyte SIRT1-induced liver sinusoidal endothelial cell dysfunction. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0350. [PMID: 38126919 PMCID: PMC10749712 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging increases the susceptibility to chronic liver diseases and hastens liver fibrosis deterioration, but the underlying mechanisms remain partially understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aging and chronic liver diseases on hepatocyte Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and LSECs and their contribution to liver fibrosis pathogeneses. METHODS Young (8-12 wk) and aged (18-20 mo) mice were subjected to carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. Primary HSCs and LSECs were isolated and cocultured for in vitro experiments. Liver tissues and blood samples from healthy controls and patients with liver fibrosis were analyzed. RESULTS Downregulated hepatocytes SIRT1 in aged mice increased high mobility group box 1 acetylation, cytoplasmic translocation, and extracellular secretion, causing LSECs dysfunction by means of the toll-like receptor 4/AK strain transforming (AKT)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway, ultimately activating HSCs and increasing susceptibility to liver injury and fibrosis. Adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of SIRT1 in hepatocytes suppressed the abovementioned alterations and attenuated carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and fibrosis in liver fibrosis mice, and there were no significant differences in liver injury and fibrosis indicators between young and aged mice after SIRT1 overexpression treatment. In vitro experiments demonstrated that SIRT1 overexpression and endothelial nitric oxide synthase agonist YC-1 improved LSECs function and inhibited HSCs activation, mediated by nitric oxide. Similarly, downregulated hepatocytes SIRT1 and LSECs dysfunction were observed in the livers of aged individuals compared to young individuals and were more pronounced in aged patients with liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Aging aggravates liver fibrosis through downregulated hepatocytes SIRT1-induced LSECs dysfunction, providing a prospective curative approach for preventing and treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Dai
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xin Qing
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Burns, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shouwen Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shengsheng Liu
- Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xuesheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fan Huang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hongchuan Zhao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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8
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Zhang YW, Hou LS, Xing JH, Zhang TR, Zhou SY, Zhang BL. Two-Membrane Hybrid Nanobiomimetic Delivery System for Targeted Autophagy Inhibition of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells To Synergistically Treat Liver Fibrosis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37899504 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c11046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is one of the most common and highly prevalent chronic liver diseases caused by multiple pathogenic factors, and there is still no effective therapeutic drugs up to now. The activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the main executor in liver fibrosis, and the autophagy plays a key role in the proliferation and differentiation of aHSCs, which promotes the development of liver fibrosis. However, autophagy has the opposite effect on the different kinds of liver cells in the development of liver fibrosis, and the clinical treatment has been limited by the poor selectivity and inefficient drug delivery to aHSCs. Therefore, in this study, a liposome (Lip) and exosome (Exo) two-membrane hybrid nanobiomimetic delivery system HCQ@VA-Lip-Exo was designed, which was modified by vitamin A (VA) to target the aHSCs and carried the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). The experimental results in vitro and in vivo revealed that the constructed aHSC-targeted hybrid delivery system HCQ@VA-Lip-Exo combined with the benefits of HCQ and exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. HCQ@VA-Lip-Exo had good aHSC-targeted delivery ability, effective autophagy inhibition, and synergistical anti-liver fibrosis performance, thus reducing the production and deposition of the extracellular matrix to inhibit the liver fibrosis. This combined strategy provided a potential idea for the construction and clinical application of a two-membrane hybrid delivery system as an effective targeted therapy of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Wen Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Shuang Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie-Hua Xing
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
| | - Tang-Rui Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Yuan Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bang-Le Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Wang L, Shao J, Liu Y, Lu Y, Yang J, Xu S, Zhang J, Li M, Liu X, Zheng M. Nano-calcipotriol as a potent anti-hepatic fibrosis agent. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e354. [PMID: 37638336 PMCID: PMC10458662 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcipotriol (CAL) has been widely studied as a fibrosis inhibitor and used to treat plaque psoriasis via transdermal administration. The clinical application of CAL to treat liver fibrosis is bottlenecked by its unsatisfactory pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and side effects, such as hypercalcemia in patients. The exploration of CAL as a safe and effective antifibrotic agent remains a major challenge. Therefore, we rationally designed and synthesized a self-assembled drug nanoparticle encapsulating CAL in its internal hydrophobic core for systematic injection (termed NPs/CAL) and further investigated the beneficial effect of the nanomaterial on liver fibrosis. C57BL/6 mice were used as the animal model, and human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was used as the cellular model of hepatic fibrogenesis. Immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and in vitro imaging were used for evaluating the efficacy of NPs/CAL treatment. We found NPs/CAL can be quickly internalized in vitro, thus potently deactivating LX-2 cells. In addition, NPs/CAL improved blood circulation and the accumulation of CAL in liver tissue. Importantly, NPs/CAL strongly contributed to the remission of liver fibrosis without inducing hypercalcemia. Overall, our work identifies a promising paradigm for the development of nanomaterial-based agents for liver fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yina Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Liying Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Gastroenterology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Department of General SurgerySir Run Run Shaw HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education and Center for BionanoengineeringCollege of Chemical and Biological EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jiajia Shao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yanning Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yining Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Siduo Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Jingkang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Minwei Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Xiangrui Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Department of Gastroenterology of the Second Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education and Center for BionanoengineeringCollege of Chemical and Biological EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
- Cancer CenterZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Min Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesNational Clinical Research Center for Infectious DiseasesCollaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious DiseasesThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
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Sharma S, Le Guillou D, Chen JY. Cellular stress in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:662-678. [PMID: 37679454 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00832-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The burden of chronic liver disease is rising substantially worldwide. Fibrosis, characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, is the common pathway leading to cirrhosis, and limited treatment options are available. There is increasing evidence suggesting the role of cellular stress responses contributing to fibrogenesis. This Review provides an overview of studies that analyse the role of cellular stress in different cell types involved in fibrogenesis, including hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Sharma
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- The Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dounia Le Guillou
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- The Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Y Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- The Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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11
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Xiang L, Wang X, Jiao Q, Shao Y, Luo R, Zhang J, Zheng X, Zhou S, Chen Y. Selective inhibition of glycolysis in hepatic stellate cells and suppression of liver fibrogenesis with vitamin A-derivative decorated camptothecin micelles. Acta Biomater 2023; 168:497-514. [PMID: 37507035 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The persistent transformation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts (MFs) and the excessive proliferation of MF-HSCs in the liver contribute to the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Glycolysis inhibition of MF-HSCs can reverse their MF phenotype and suppress their abnormal expansion. Here, we have developed vitamin A-derivative (VA) decorated PEG-PCL polymeric micelles to encapsulate the labile and hydrophobic camptothecin (CPT) and direct its active attack on HSCs, selectively inhibiting of HIF-1α and cellular glycolysis, ultimately repressing hepatic fibrogenesis. The obtained micelles exhibited a good stability, biocompatibility, pH sensitivity, and exceptional HSC-targetability, allowing an efficient accumulation of their carried CPT in acutely and chronically injured livers. On their intracellular release of CPT specifically in MF-HSCs, these CPT micelles nicely inhibited the HIF-1α and a series of glycolytic players in MF-HSCs and prominently suppressed their proliferation and MF phenotypic characteristics. Accordingly, on in vitro administration to the mice challenged by CCl4 or subjected to bile duct ligation, these VA-decorated CPT micelles ameliorated the pathological symptoms of the livers, as evidenced by the significant reduction in serum levels of ALT and AST, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and collagen accumulation, the drastic down-regulation of multiple fibrotic genes, and the good recovery of attenuated hepatocyte CYP2E1 and lipogenesis regulator PPARγ. Overall, the CPT carried by VA-decorated PEG-PCL polymeric micelles can selectively inhibit the glycolysis and expansion of HSCs and thus suppress fibrogenesis, providing an original and effective approach for anti-fibrotic therapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Our work introduces an innovative antifibrotic drug system that is developed upon the active targeting of CPT and aims for the fate reversal of HSCs. Through HSC-targeted delivery achieved by PEG-PCL polymeric micelles decorated with vitamin A-derivatives, CPT significantly suppressed the expressions of HIF-1α and glycolytic enzymes in MF-HSCs, as well as their pathologic expansion in mouse livers. It effectively ameliorated chronic liver fibrosis in mice induced by CCl4 injection or BDL and restored the damaged liver structure and function. These compelling findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of glycolytic HSC-targeting in combating fibrosis and related disorders and thus provide new promise for future clinical management of such prevalent and life-threatening conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiang
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 410001, China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Qiangqiang Jiao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Yaru Shao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Rui Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Xiaotong Zheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Shaobing Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 410001, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China.
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12
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Kaps L, Limeres MJ, Schneider P, Svensson M, Zeyn Y, Fraude S, Cacicedo ML, Galle PR, Gehring S, Bros M. Liver Cell Type-Specific Targeting by Nanoformulations for Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11869. [PMID: 37511628 PMCID: PMC10380755 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocytes exert pivotal roles in metabolism, protein synthesis and detoxification. Non-parenchymal liver cells (NPCs), largely comprising macrophages, dendritic cells, hepatic stellate cells and liver sinusoidal cells (LSECs), serve to induce immunological tolerance. Therefore, the liver is an important target for therapeutic approaches, in case of both (inflammatory) metabolic diseases and immunological disorders. This review aims to summarize current preclinical nanodrug-based approaches for the treatment of liver disorders. So far, nano-vaccines that aim to induce hepatitis virus-specific immune responses and nanoformulated adjuvants to overcome the default tolerogenic state of liver NPCs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis have been tested. Moreover, liver cancer may be treated using nanodrugs which specifically target and kill tumor cells. Alternatively, nanodrugs may target and reprogram or deplete immunosuppressive cells of the tumor microenvironment, such as tumor-associated macrophages. Here, combination therapies have been demonstrated to yield synergistic effects. In the case of autoimmune hepatitis and other inflammatory liver diseases, anti-inflammatory agents can be encapsulated into nanoparticles to dampen inflammatory processes specifically in the liver. Finally, the tolerance-promoting activity especially of LSECs has been exploited to induce antigen-specific tolerance for the treatment of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Kaps
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - María José Limeres
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Paul Schneider
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Malin Svensson
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Yanira Zeyn
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Silvia Fraude
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maximiliano L Cacicedo
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter R Galle
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephan Gehring
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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13
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Qin S, Du X, Wang K, Wang D, Zheng J, Xu H, Wei X, Yuan Y. Vitamin A-modified ZIF-8 lipid nanoparticles for the therapy of liver fibrosis. Int J Pharm 2023:123167. [PMID: 37356511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis (LF) is one of the major diseases that threaten human health. Until now, no effective drugs have been approved for clinical anti-liver fibrosis treatment. In this study, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) lipid nanoparticles loaded with pirfenidone (PFD) and modified with vitamin A (VA) were constructed (VA-PFD@ZIF-8@DMPC NPs). PFD was embedded in ZIF-8 by the "one-pot" method, and the prepared ZIF-8 had a small particle size (84.3 nm) and high drug loading (54.46%). Moreover, the inherent pH sensitivity of ZIF-8 makes it stable in a normal physiological environment and collapsed in an acidic environment, thus controlling drug release and preventing drug leakage. Besides, the phospholipid layer makes the nano-drug delivery system dispersible and improves its biocompatibility. More importantly, VA is modified on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs), which can target the highly expressed retinol-binding protein receptor (RBPR) on the surface of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), thereby accurately increasing the local drug concentration at the site of LF. In vivo experiments showed that VA-PFD@ZIF-8@DMPC NPs can reduce liver injury, improve the degree of LF, and exert specific therapeutic effects on LF. In conclusion, this nano-delivery system may become a novel and effective anti-liver fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Qin
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Xuening Du
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Kaili Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Da Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Jiani Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Haiyan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Xiuyan Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China
| | - Yue Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
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14
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Siapoush S, Mousazadeh H, Rezaei R, Hatami B, Mazhari S, Hashemi N, Reza Zali M, Baghaei K. Oral Targeted Delivery of Imatinib by pH Responsive Copolymer Modulates Liver Fibrosis in the Mice Model. Int J Pharm 2023:123068. [PMID: 37225027 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality without approved treatment. The therapeutic effects of Imatinib as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor on reversing liver fibrosis have already been shown. However, considering the conventional route of Imatinib administration, the amount of drug to be used is very high, and its side effects are raised. Therefore, we designed an efficient pH-sensitive polymer for the targeted delivery of Imatinib in treating a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. This nanotherapeutic system-based Vitamin A (VA)-modified Imatinib-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)/Eudragit S100 (PLGA-ES100) has been successfully fabricated by adapting the solvent evaporation technique. The applying ES100 on the surface of our desired nanoparticles (NPs) protects drug release at the acidic pH of the gastric and guarantees the effective release of Imatinib at a higher pH of the intestine. Besides, VA-functionalized NPs could be an ideal efficient drug delivery system due to the high capacity of hepatic cell lines to absorb VA. For induction of liver fibrosis, CCL4 was intraperitoneally (IP) injected twice a week for six weeks in BALB/c mice. Oral administration of VA-targeted PLGA-ES100 NPs loaded with Rhodamine Red™ by live animal imaging showed a preferential accumulation of the selected NPs in the liver of mice. Besides, administrating targeted Imatinib-loaded NPs significantly decreased serum levels of ALT, and AST, and also reduced the expression of extracellular matrix components, including collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA, considerably. Interestingly, histopathological evaluation of liver tissues through H&E and Masson's trichrome staining showed that oral administration of targeted Imatinib-loaded NPs reduced hepatic damage by enhancing hepatic structure condition. Also, the Sirius-red staining indicated a reduction in collagen expression during treatment with targeted NP containing Imatinib. The immunohistochemistry result on liver tissue shows a significant decrease in the expression of α-SMA in groups treated with targeted NP. In the meantime, administration of a very scarce dose of Imatinib via targeted NP caused a substantial decline in the expression of fibrosis marker genes (Collagen I, Collagen III, α-SMA). Our results confirmed that novel pH-sensitive VA-targeted PLGA-ES100 NPs could efficiently deliver Imatinib to the liver cells. Loading Imatinib in the PLGA-ES100/VA might overcome many challenges facing conventional Imatinib therapy, including gastrointestinal pH, the low concentration at the target region, and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Siapoush
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hanieh Mousazadeh
- Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ramazan Rezaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Behzad Hatami
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sogol Mazhari
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naimeh Hashemi
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology, Research Centre in cooperation with AUVA, Donaueschingenstra Be 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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15
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Bedair AF, Wahid A, El-Mezayen NS, Afify EA. Nicorandil reduces morphine withdrawal symptoms, potentiates morphine antinociception, and ameliorates liver fibrosis in rats. Life Sci 2023; 319:121522. [PMID: 36822314 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a serious medical condition affecting patients globally and pain management poses a unique challenge. ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) are expressed in nociceptive neurons and hepatic cells. We tested the hypothesis whether morphine and nicorandil, KATP channel opener, alone and in combination possess hepatoprotective, antinociceptive effect and alter morphine physical dependence. MAIN METHODS Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in male Wistar rats. Nicorandil (15 mg/kg/day) was administered per os for two weeks. Morphine (3.8, 5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered prior to antinociception testing in tail flick and formalin tests. Morphine physical dependence following naloxone injection, fibrotic, oxidative stress markers, and liver histopathology were assessed. KEY FINDINGS Morphine alone, produced insignificant changes of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hyaluronic acid (HA), hepatic hydroxyproline (Hyp), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and exerted significant antinociception in the pain models. Nicorandil alone protected against liver damage (decreased serum ALT, AST, HA, hepatic Hyp, MDA, increased SOD levels, improved fibrosis scores). Nicorandil/morphine combination produced remarkable hepatoprotection and persistent analgesia compared to morphine alone as evidenced by reduced (EC50) of morphine. Nicorandil augmented morphine analgesia and markedly decreased withdrawal signs in morphine-dependent rats. SIGNIFICANCE The data showed for the first time, the hepatoprotection and augmented antinociception mediated by nicorandil/morphine combination in liver fibrosis via antioxidant and antifibrotic mechanisms. Nicorandil ameliorated withdrawal signs in morphine dependence in CLD. Thus, combining nicorandil/morphine provides a novel treatment strategy to ameliorate hepatic injury, potentiate antinociception and overcome morphine-induced physical dependence in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asser F Bedair
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Ahmed Wahid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Nesrine S El-Mezayen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University in Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Elham A Afify
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
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16
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Singh S, Sharma N, Shukla S, Behl T, Gupta S, Anwer MK, Vargas-De-La-Cruz C, Bungau SG, Brisc C. Understanding the Potential Role of Nanotechnology in Liver Fibrosis: A Paradigm in Therapeutics. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062811. [PMID: 36985782 PMCID: PMC10057127 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is a vital organ that plays a crucial role in the physiological operation of the human body. The liver controls the body's detoxification processes as well as the storage and breakdown of red blood cells, plasma protein and hormone production, and red blood cell destruction; therefore, it is vulnerable to their harmful effects, making it more prone to illness. The most frequent complications of chronic liver conditions include cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver fibrosis, hepatitis, and illnesses brought on by alcohol and drugs. Hepatic fibrosis involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells to cause persistent liver damage through the accumulation of cytosolic matrix proteins. The purpose of this review is to educate a concise discussion of the epidemiology of chronic liver disease, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of liver fibrosis, the symptoms of liver fibrosis progression and regression, the clinical evaluation of liver fibrosis and the research into nanotechnology-based synthetic and herbal treatments for the liver fibrosis is summarized in this article. The herbal remedies summarized in this review article include epigallocathechin-3-gallate, silymarin, oxymatrine, curcumin, tetrandrine, glycyrrhetinic acid, salvianolic acid, plumbagin, Scutellaria baicalnsis Georgi, astragalosides, hawthorn extract, and andrographolides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhbir Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, MM College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutics, MM College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Saurabh Shukla
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India
| | - Tapan Behl
- School of Health Sciences &Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sumeet Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, MM College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala 133207, Haryana, India
| | - Md Khalid Anwer
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Celia Vargas-De-La-Cruz
- Department of Pharmacology, Bromatology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 150001, Peru
- E-Health Research Center, Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades, Lima 15001, Peru
| | - Simona Gabriela Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Cristina Brisc
- Department of Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania
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17
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Lee TY, Lu HH, Cheng HT, Huang HC, Tsai YJ, Chang IH, Tu CP, Chung CW, Lu TT, Peng CH, Chen Y. Delivery of nitric oxide with a pH-responsive nanocarrier for the treatment of renal fibrosis. J Control Release 2023; 354:417-428. [PMID: 36627025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.12.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) that may cause severe organ dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO), a multifunctional gaseous signaling molecule, may inhibit fibrosis, and delivery of NO may serve as a potential antifibrotic strategy. However, major limitations in the application of NO to treat fibrotic diseases include its nonspecificity, short half-life and low availability in fibrotic tissue. Herein, we aimed to develop a stimuli-responsive drug carrier to deliver NO to halt kidney fibrosis. We manufactured a nanoparticle (NP) composed of pH-sensitive poly[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PDPA) polymers to encapsulate a NO donor, a dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC; [Fe2(μ-SEt)2(NO)4]). The NPs were stable at physiological pH 7.4 but disintegrated at pH 4.0-6.0. The NPs showed significant cytotoxicity to cultured human myofibroblasts and were able to inhibit the activation of myofibroblasts, as indicated by a lower expression level of α-smooth muscle actin and the synthesis of a major ECM component, collagen I, in cultured human myofibroblasts. When given to mice treated with unilateral ureteral ligation/obstruction (UUO) to induce kidney fibrosis, these NPs remained in blood at a stable concentration for as long as 24 h and might enter the fibrotic kidneys to suppress myofibroblast activation and collagen I production, leading to a 70% reduction in the fibrotic area. In summary, our strategy to assemble a NO donor, the iron nitrosyl complex DNIC, into pH-responsive NPs proves effective in treating renal fibrosis and warrants further investigation for its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Ying Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Hsun Lu
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Teng Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Zhu Bei City 302, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chien Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Jen Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - I-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Peng Tu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Wei Chung
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Te Lu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-How Peng
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
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18
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Xiang L, Wang X, Shao Y, Jiao Q, Cheng J, Zheng X, Zhou S, Chen Y. Folate Decoration Supports the Targeting of Camptothecin Micelles against Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells and the Suppression of Fibrogenesis. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:2030-2042. [PMID: 36571106 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As the central cellular player in fibrogenesis, activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) are the major target of antifibrotic nanomedicines. Based on our finding that activated HSCs increase the expression of folate receptor alpha (FRα), we tried to apply folic acid (FA) decoration to generate an active drug-targeting at aHSCs and suppress hepato-fibrogenesis. FA-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymers (PEG-PCL) were synthesized and self-assembled into the spherical micelles that owned a uniform size distribution averaging at 60 nm, excellent hemo- and cyto-compatibility, and pH-sensitive stability. These FA-modified micelles were preferentially ingested by aHSCs as expected and accumulated more in acutely CCl4 injured mouse livers compared to nondecorated counterparts. Such an aHSC targetability facilitated the loaded medicinal camptothecin (CPT) to achieve a greater therapeutic efficacy and inhibition of MF phenotypic genes in aHSCs. Encouragingly, though free CPT and nontargeting CPT micelles produced negligible curative outcomes, FA-decorated CPT micelles yielded effectively remedial effects in chronically CCl4-induced fibrotic mice, as represented by a significant shrinkage of aHSC population, suppression of fibrogenesis, and recovery of liver structure and function, clearly indicating the success of the folate decoration-supported aHSC-targeted strategy for antifibrotic nanomedicines in fibrosis resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xiang
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Yaru Shao
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Qiangqiang Jiao
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Jiang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Xiaotong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Shaobing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
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19
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Ashwagandha-loaded nanocapsules improved the behavioral alterations, and blocked MAPK and induced Nrf2 signaling pathways in a hepatic encephalopathy rat model. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:252-274. [PMID: 35672652 PMCID: PMC9726678 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-022-01181-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ashwagandha (ASH), a vital herb in Ayurvedic medicine, demonstrated potent preclinical hepato- and neuroprotective effects. However, its efficacy is limited due to low oral bioavailability. Accordingly, we encapsulated ASH extract in chitosan-alginate bipolymeric nanocapsules (ASH-BPNCs) to enhance its physical stability and therapeutic effectiveness in the gastrointestinal tract. ASH-BPNC was prepared by emulsification followed by sonication. The NCs showed small particle size (< 220 nm), zeta-potential of 25.2 mV, relatively high entrapment efficiency (79%), physical stability at acidic and neutral pH, and in vitro release profile that extended over 48 h. ASH-BPNC was then investigated in a thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) rat model. Compared with free ASH, ASH-BPNC improved survival, neurological score, general motor activity, and cognitive task-performance. ASH-BPNC restored ALT, AST and ammonia serum levels, and maintained hepatic and brain architecture. ASH-BPNC also restored GSH, MDA, and glutathione synthetase levels, and Nrf2 and MAPK signaling pathways in liver and brain tissues. Moreover, ASH-BPNC downregulated hepatic NF-κB immunohistochemical expression. Moreover, the in vivo biodistribution studies demonstrated that most of the administered ASH-BPNC is accumulated in the brain and hepatic tissues. In conclusion, chitosan-alginate BPNCs enhanced the hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects of ASH, thus providing a promising therapeutic approach for HE.
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Felli E, Nulan Y, Selicean S, Wang C, Gracia-Sancho J, Bosch J. Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Portal Hypertension. CURRENT HEPATOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 22:51-66. [PMID: 36908849 PMCID: PMC9988810 DOI: 10.1007/s11901-023-00598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Portal hypertension is responsible of the main complications of cirrhosis, which carries a high mortality. Recent treatments have improved prognosis, but this is still far from ideal. This paper reviews new potential therapeutic targets unveiled by advances of key pathophysiologic processes. Recent Findings Recent research highlighted the importance of suppressing etiologic factors and a safe lifestyle and outlined new mechanisms modulating portal pressure. These include intrahepatic abnormalities linked to inflammation, fibrogenesis, vascular occlusion, parenchymal extinction, and angiogenesis; impaired regeneration; increased hepatic vascular tone due to sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction with insufficient NO availability; and paracrine liver cell crosstalk. Moreover, pathways such as the gut-liver axis modulate splanchnic vasodilatation and systemic inflammation, exacerbate liver fibrosis, and are being targeted by therapy. We have summarized studies of new agents addressing these targets. Summary New agents, alone or in combination, allow acting in complementary mechanisms offering a more profound effect on portal hypertension while simultaneously limiting disease progression and favoring regression of fibrosis and of cirrhosis. Major changes in treatment paradigms are anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Felli
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yelidousi Nulan
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Selicean
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Hepatology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, CIBEREHD, IDIBAPS Research Institute, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Bosch
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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21
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Tumor extracellular matrix modulating strategies for enhanced antitumor therapy of nanomedicines. Mater Today Bio 2022; 16:100364. [PMID: 35875197 PMCID: PMC9305626 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicines have shown a promising strategy for cancer therapy because of their higher safety and efficiency relative to small-molecule drugs, while the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumors often acts as a physical barrier to hamper the accumulation and diffusion of nanoparticles, thus compromising the anticancer efficacy. To address this issue, two major strategies including degrading ECM components and inhibiting ECM formation have been adopted to enhance the therapeutic efficacies of nanomedicines. In this review, we summarize the recent progresses of tumor ECM modulating strategies for enhanced antitumor therapy of nanomedicines. Through degrading ECM components or inhibiting ECM formation, the accumulation and diffusion of nanoparticles in tumors can be facilitated, leading to enhanced efficacies of chemotherapy and phototherapy. Moreover, the ECM degradation can improve the infiltration of immune cells into tumor tissues, thus achieving strong immune response to reject tumors. The adoptions of these two ECM modulating strategies to improve the efficacies of chemotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy are discussed in detail. A conclusion, current challenges and outlook are then given. Extracellular matrix modulating strategies have been adopted to enhance the therapeutic efficacies of nanomedicines. Degrading extracellular matrix components or inhibiting extracellular matrix formation can improve the accumulation and diffusion of nanoparticles in tumors and the infiltration of immune cells into tumor tissues. The adoptions of two extracellular matrix modulating strategies to improve the efficacies of chemotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy are summarized.
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22
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Nanoparticle-based delivery of nitric oxide for therapeutic applications. Ther Deliv 2022; 13:403-427. [DOI: 10.4155/tde-2022-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO), a low molecular weight signaling molecule, plays critical roles in both cellular health and disease. There is continued interest in new modalities for the controlled therapeutic delivery of NO to cells and tissues. The physicochemical properties of NO (including its short half-life and on-demand synthesis at the point of function), however, pose considerable challenges for its specific and efficient delivery. Recently, a number of nanoparticle (NP)-based systems are described that address some of these issues by taking advantage of the unique attributes of the NP carrier to effect efficient NO delivery. This review highlights the progress that has been made over the past 5 years in the use of various constructs for the therapeutic delivery of NO.
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23
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Iravani S, Varma RS. Advanced Drug Delivery Micro- and Nanosystems for Cardiovascular Diseases. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27185843. [PMID: 36144581 PMCID: PMC9506137 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27185843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Advanced drug delivery micro- and nanosystems have been widely explored due to their appealing specificity/selectivity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low toxicity. They can be applied for the targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals, with the benefits of good biocompatibility/stability, non-immunogenicity, large surface area, high drug loading capacity, and low leakage of drugs. Cardiovascular diseases, as one of the primary mortalities cause worldwide with significant impacts on the quality of patients’ life, comprise a variety of heart and circulatory system pathologies, such as peripheral vascular diseases, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and coronary artery diseases. Designing novel micro- and nanosystems with suitable targeting properties and smart release behaviors can help circumvent crucial challenges of the tolerability, low stability, high toxicity, and possible side- and off-target effects of conventional drug delivery routes. To overcome different challenging issues, namely physiological barriers, low efficiency of drugs, and possible adverse side effects, various biomaterials-mediated drug delivery systems have been formulated with reduced toxicity, improved pharmacokinetics, high bioavailability, sustained release behavior, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy for targeted therapy of cardiovascular diseases. Despite the existing drug delivery systems encompassing a variety of biomaterials for treating cardiovascular diseases, the number of formulations currently approved for clinical use is limited due to the regulatory and experimental obstacles. Herein, the most recent advancements in drug delivery micro- and nanosystems designed from different biomaterials for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases are deliberated, with a focus on the important challenges and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Iravani
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (R.S.V.)
| | - Rajender S. Varma
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacký University in Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, Olomouc 78371, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (R.S.V.)
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24
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Huang HC, Sung YC, Li CP, Wan D, Chao PH, Tseng YT, Liao BW, Cheng HT, Hsu FF, Huang CC, Chen YT, Liao YH, Hsieh HT, Shih YC, Liu IJ, Wu HC, Lu TT, Wang J, Chen Y. Reversal of pancreatic desmoplasia by a tumour stroma-targeted nitric oxide nanogel overcomes TRAIL resistance in pancreatic tumours. Gut 2022; 71:1843-1855. [PMID: 34921062 PMCID: PMC9380514 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-325180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stromal barriers, such as the abundant desmoplastic stroma that is characteristic of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), can block the delivery and decrease the tumour-penetrating ability of therapeutics such as tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which can selectively induce cancer cell apoptosis. This study aimed to develop a TRAIL-based nanotherapy that not only eliminated the extracellular matrix barrier to increase TRAIL delivery into tumours but also blocked antiapoptotic mechanisms to overcome TRAIL resistance in PDAC. DESIGN Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in preventing tissue desmoplasia and could thus be delivered to disrupt the stromal barrier and improve TRAIL delivery in PDAC. We applied an in vitro-in vivo combinatorial phage display technique to identify novel peptide ligands to target the desmoplastic stroma in both murine and human orthotopic PDAC. We then constructed a stroma-targeted nanogel modified with phage display-identified tumour stroma-targeting peptides to co-deliver NO and TRAIL to PDAC and examined the anticancer effect in three-dimensional spheroid cultures in vitro and in orthotopic PDAC models in vivo. RESULTS The delivery of NO to the PDAC tumour stroma resulted in reprogramming of activated pancreatic stellate cells, alleviation of tumour desmoplasia and downregulation of antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein expression, thereby facilitating tumour penetration by TRAIL and substantially enhancing the antitumour efficacy of TRAIL therapy. CONCLUSION The co-delivery of TRAIL and NO by a stroma-targeted nanogel that remodels the fibrotic tumour microenvironment and suppresses tumour growth has the potential to be translated into a safe and promising treatment for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsi-Chien Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Chieh Sung
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Pin Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Clinical Skills Training, Department of Medical Education, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Dehui Wan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Po-Han Chao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Tseng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Wen Liao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Teng Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Biomedical Park Branch, Zhu Bei City, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Fei Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Cheng Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hui Liao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsin Tzu Hsieh
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chuan Shih
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - I-Ju Liu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chung Wu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Te Lu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jane Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Huang Y, Wang T, Yang J, Wu X, Fan W, Chen J. Current Strategies for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Modulating the Tumor Microenvironment via Nano-Delivery Systems: A Review. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:2335-2352. [PMID: 35619893 PMCID: PMC9128750 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s363456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains a global health challenge with a projected incidence of over one million cases by 2025. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common primary liver cancer, accounting for about 90% of all liver cancer cases. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the internal and external environment for tumor development, which plays an important role in tumorigenesis, immune escape and treatment resistance. Knowing that TME is a unique setting for HCC tumorigenesis, exploration of strategies to modulate TME has attracted increasing attention. Among them, the use of nano-delivery systems to deliver therapeutic agents to regulate TME components has shown great potential. TME-modulating nanoparticles have the advantages of protecting therapeutic agents from degradation, enhancing the ability of targeting HCC and reducing systemic toxicity. In this article, we summarize the TME components associated with HCC, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), extracellular matrix (ECM), endothelial cells and immune cells, discuss their impact on the HCC progression, and highlight recent studies on nano-delivery systems that modulate these components. Finally, we also discuss opportunities and challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiansi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiefen Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Wei Er Lab, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Fan
- Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianming Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
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26
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Ferdek PE, Krzysztofik D, Stopa KB, Kusiak AA, Paw M, Wnuk D, Jakubowska MA. When healing turns into killing ‐ the pathophysiology of pancreatic and hepatic fibrosis. J Physiol 2022; 600:2579-2612. [DOI: 10.1113/jp281135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pawel E. Ferdek
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Daria Krzysztofik
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Kinga B. Stopa
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Agnieszka A. Kusiak
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Milena Paw
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Dawid Wnuk
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
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27
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Liu XY, Li D, Li TY, Wu YL, Piao JS, Piao MG. Vitamin A - modified Betulin polymer micelles with hepatic targeting capability for hepatic fibrosis protection. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 174:106189. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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28
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Zhou L, Li Y, Liang Q, Liu J, Liu Y. Combination therapy based on targeted nano drug co-delivery systems for liver fibrosis treatment: A review. J Drug Target 2022; 30:577-588. [PMID: 35179094 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2022.2044485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the hallmark of liver disease and occurs prior to the stages of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Any type of liver damage or inflammation can result in fibrosis. Fibrosis does not develop overnight, but rather as a result of the long-term action of injury factors. At present, however, there are no good treatment methods or specific drugs other than removing the pathogenic factors. Drug application is still limited, which means that drugs with good performance in vitro cannot achieve good therapeutic effects in vivo, owing to various factors such as poor drug targeting, large side effects, and strong hydrophobicity. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the primary effector cells in liver fibrosis. The nano-drug delivery system is a new and safe drug delivery system that has many advantages which are widely used in the field of liver fibrosis. Drug resistance and side effects can be reduced when two or more drugs are used in combination drug delivery. Combination therapy of drugs with different targets has emerged as a novel approach to treating liver fibrosis, and the nano co-delivery system enhances the benefits of combination therapy. While nano co-delivery systems can maximize benefits while avoiding drug side effects, this is precisely the advantage of the nano co-delivery system. This review briefly described the pathogenesis and current treatment strategies, the different co-delivery systems of combination drugs in the nano delivery system, and targeting strategies for nano delivery systems on liver fibrosis therapy. Because of their superior performance, nano delivery systems and targeting drug delivery systems have received a lot of attention in the new drug delivery system. The new delivery systems offer a new pathway in the treatment of liver fibrosis, and it is believed that it can be a new treatment for fibrosis in the future. Nano co-delivery system of combination drugs and targeting strategies has proven the effectiveness of anti-fibrosis at the experimental level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyue Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Qiangwei Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Jinxia Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yanhua Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Key Laboratory of Hui Ethnic Medicine Modernization, Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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29
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Xu Y, Chen J, Jiang W, Zhao Y, Yang C, Wu Y, Li Q, Zhu C. Multiplexing Nanodrug Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis via ROS Elimination and Inflammation Suppression. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2102848. [PMID: 34758098 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202102848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is the leading risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Both oxidative stress and inflammation promote the progression of liver fibrosis, but existing therapeutic strategies tend to focus solely on one issue. Additionally, targeting of pathological microstructures is often neglected. Herein, an esterase-responsive carbon quantum dot-dexamethasone (CD-Dex) is developed for liver fibrosis therapy to simultaneously target pathological microstructures, scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and suppress inflammation. Hepatocyte-targeting CD-Dex can efficiently eliminate the intrahepatic ROS, thereby inhibiting the activation of Kupffer cells, preventing further inflammation progression. Moreover, released dexamethasone (Dex) also suppresses inflammatory response by inhibiting the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Antifibrotic experiments demonstrate that CD-Dex significantly alleviates liver injury and collagen deposition, consequently preventing the progression of liver fibrosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that via ROS elimination and inflammation suppression, the newly developed multiplexing nanodrug exhibits great potential in liver fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youcui Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Intelligent Nanomedicine Institute, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, P. R. China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, 230601, P. R. China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
| | - Yangyang Zhao
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
| | - Chen Yang
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, P. R. China
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Intelligent Nanomedicine Institute, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, P. R. China
| | - Qianming Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Intelligent Nanomedicine Institute, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, P. R. China
| | - Chen Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Intelligent Nanomedicine Institute, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, P. R. China
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30
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Hu J, Fang Y, Huang X, Qiao R, Quinn JF, Davis TP. Engineering macromolecular nanocarriers for local delivery of gaseous signaling molecules. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 179:114005. [PMID: 34687822 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In addition to being notorious air pollutants, nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have also been known as endogenous gaseous signaling molecules (GSMs). These GSMs play critical roles in maintaining the homeostasis of living organisms. Importantly, the occurrence and development of many diseases such as inflammation and cancer are highly associated with the concentration changes of GSMs. As such, GSMs could also be used as new therapeutic agents, showing great potential in the treatment of many formidable diseases. Although clinically it is possible to directly inhale GSMs, the precise control of the dose and concentration for local delivery of GSMs remains a substantial challenge. The development of gaseous signaling molecule-releasing molecules provides a great tool for the safe and convenient delivery of GSMs. In this review article, we primarily focus on the recent development of macromolecular nanocarriers for the local delivery of various GSMs. Learning from the chemistry of small molecule-based donors, the integration of these gaseous signaling molecule-releasing molecules into polymeric matrices through physical encapsulation, post-modification, or direct polymerization approach renders it possible to fabricate numerous macromolecular nanocarriers with optimized pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, revealing improved therapeutic performance than the small molecule analogs. The development of GSMs represents a new means for many disease treatments with unique therapeutic outcomes.
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31
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Han B, Song M, Li L, Sun X, Lei Y. The Application of Nitric Oxide for Ocular Hypertension Treatment. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26237306. [PMID: 34885889 PMCID: PMC8659272 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite of various therapeutic methods for treating ocular hypertension and glaucoma, it still remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering is the most effective way to slow disease progression and prevent blindness. Among the ocular hypotensive drugs currently in use, only a couple act on the conventional outflow system, which is the main pathway for aqueous humor outflow and the major lesion site resulting in ocular hypertension. Nitric oxide (NO) is a commendable new class of glaucoma drugs that acts on the conventional outflow pathway. An increasing number of nitric oxide donors have been developed for glaucoma and ocular hypertension treatment. Here, we will review how NO lowers IOP and the types of nitric oxide donors that have been developed. And a brief analysis of the advantages and challenges associated with the application will be made. The literature used in this review is based on Pubmed database search using ‘nitric oxide’ and ‘glaucoma’ as key words.
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32
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The Hepatic Sinusoid in Chronic Liver Disease: The Optimal Milieu for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225719. [PMID: 34830874 PMCID: PMC8616349 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary During the development of chronic liver disease, the hepatic sinusoid undergoes major changes that further compromise the hepatic function, inducing persistent inflammation and the formation of scar tissue, together with alterations in liver hemodynamics. This diseased background may induce the formation and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most common form of primary liver cancer and a major cause of mortality. In this review, we describe the ways in which the dysregulation of hepatic sinusoidal cells—including liver sinusoidal cells, Kupffer cells, and hepatic stellate cells—may have an important role in the development of HCC. Our review summarizes all of the known sinusoidal processes in both health and disease, and possible treatments focusing on the dysregulation of the sinusoid; finally, we discuss how some of these alterations occurring during chronic injury are shared with the pathology of HCC and may contribute to its development. Abstract The liver sinusoids are a unique type of microvascular beds. The specialized phenotype of sinusoidal cells is essential for their communication, and for the function of all hepatic cell types, including hepatocytes. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) conform the inner layer of the sinusoids, which is permeable due to the fenestrae across the cytoplasm; hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) surround LSECs, regulate the vascular tone, and synthetize the extracellular matrix, and Kupffer cells (KCs) are the liver-resident macrophages. Upon injury, the harmonic equilibrium in sinusoidal communication is disrupted, leading to phenotypic alterations that may affect the function of the whole liver if the damage persists. Understanding how the specialized sinusoidal cells work in coordination with each other in healthy livers and chronic liver disease is of the utmost importance for the discovery of new therapeutic targets and the design of novel pharmacological strategies. In this manuscript, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of sinusoidal cells and their communication both in health and chronic liver diseases, and their potential pharmacologic modulation. Finally, we discuss how alterations occurring during chronic injury may contribute to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is usually developed in the background of chronic liver disease.
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Gonzaga de França Lopes L, Gouveia Júnior FS, Karine Medeiros Holanda A, Maria Moreira de Carvalho I, Longhinotti E, Paulo TF, Abreu DS, Bernhardt PV, Gilles-Gonzalez MA, Cirino Nogueira Diógenes I, Henrique Silva Sousa E. Bioinorganic systems responsive to the diatomic gases O2, NO, and CO: From biological sensors to therapy. Coord Chem Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Kumar V, Xin X, Ma J, Tan C, Osna N, Mahato RI. Therapeutic targets, novel drugs, and delivery systems for diabetes associated NAFLD and liver fibrosis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113888. [PMID: 34314787 PMCID: PMC8440458 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the fourth-leading cause of death. Hyperglycemia induces various complications, including nephropathy, cirrhosis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There are several etiological factors leading to liver disease development, which involve insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation in the liver exerts oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stresses. Hepatocyte injury induces release of inflammatory cytokines from Kupffer cells (KCs), which are responsible for activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In this review, we will discuss various molecular targets for treating chronic liver diseases, including homeostasis of FFA, lipid metabolism, and decrease in hepatocyte apoptosis, role of growth factors, and regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and HSC activation. This review will also critically assess different strategies to enhance drug delivery to different cell types. Targeting nanocarriers to specific liver cell types have the potential to increase efficacy and suppress off-target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Xiaofei Xin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jingyi Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Chalet Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Natalia Osna
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA
| | - Ram I Mahato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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Dai X, Zeng Y, Zhang H, Gu Z, Gong Q, Luo K. Advances on Nanomedicines for Diagnosis and Theranostics of Hepatic Fibrosis. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202000091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xinghang Dai
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- West China School of Medicine Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Yujun Zeng
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Hu Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Amgen Bioprocessing Centre Keck Graduate Institute CA 91711 USA
| | - Zhongwei Gu
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Kui Luo
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
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Lee AR, Baek SM, Lee SW, Kim TU, Han JE, Bae S, Park SJ, Kim TH, Jeong KS, Choi SK, Park JK. Nuclear VEGFR-2 Expression of Hepatocytes Is Involved in Hepatocyte Proliferation and Liver Regeneration During Chronic Liver Injury. In Vivo 2021; 35:1473-1483. [PMID: 33910825 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM The pathological role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in chronic liver injury and liver regeneration is not fully understood. This study analysed the role of VEGFR-2 in liver fibrosis and its regeneration process. MATERIALS AND METHODS We administered intraperitoneally 50 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg thioacetamide (TAA) to 9-week-old male mice for 17 weeks. We measured levels of VEGFR-2 protein and identified the location of cells that specifically express VEGFR-2. RESULTS VEGFR-2 is rarely expressed in normal hepatocytes. However, high VEGFR-2 expression in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells was noted in the TAA group. Conversely, the group that experienced regeneration from liver fibrosis showed significantly higher VEGFR-2 expression in the nucleus of hepatocytes compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION VEGFR-2 plays a pivotal role in the nucleus of hepatocytes during liver regeneration and VEGFR-2 may be closely related to cell division. Therefore, VEGFR-2 may be a new therapeutic target for liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-Rang Lee
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Min Baek
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoung-Woo Lee
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Un Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Eun Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seulgi Bae
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Joon Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hwan Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Shik Jeong
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Kyoon Choi
- Core Protein Resources Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kyu Park
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea; .,Stem Cell Therapeutic Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Fleischmann D, Goepferich A. General sites of nanoparticle biodistribution as a novel opportunity for nanomedicine. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2021; 166:44-60. [PMID: 34087354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of nanomedical devices has led to a considerable number of clinically applied nanotherapeutics. Yet, the overall poor translation of nanoparticular concepts into marketable systems has not met the initial expectations and led to increasing criticism in recent years. Most novel nano approaches thereby use highly refined formulations including a plethora of active targeting sequences, but ultimately fail to reach their target due to a generally high off-target deposition in organs such as the liver or kidney. In this context, we argue that initial nanoparticle (NP) development should not entirely become set on conventional formulation aspects. In contrast, we propose a change of focus towards a prior analysis of general sites of NP in vivo deposition and an assessment of how accumulation in these organs or tissues can be harnessed to develop therapies for site-related pathologies. We therefore give a comprehensive overview of existing nanotherapeutic targeting strategies for specific cell types within three of the usual suspects, i.e. the liver, kidney and the vascular system. We discuss the physiological surroundings and relevant pathologies of described tissues as well as the implications for NP-mediated drug delivery. Additionally, successful cell-selective NP concepts using active targeting strategies are assessed. By bringing together both (patho)physiological aspects and concepts for cell-selective NP formulations, we hope to show a novel opportunity for the development of more promising nanotherapeutic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fleischmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Achim Goepferich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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Synthesis, characterization and in vitro evaluation of a gelatin-based platform with antioxidant and nitric oxide releasing property. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Zhang X, Hu J, Becker KV, Engle JW, Ni D, Cai W, Wu D, Qu S. Antioxidant and C5a-blocking strategy for hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury repair. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:107. [PMID: 33858424 PMCID: PMC8050892 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00858-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonspecific liver uptake of nanomaterials after intravenous injection has hindered nanomedicine for clinical translation. However, nanomaterials' propensity for liver distribution might enable their use in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) repair. During hepatic IRI, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated and the fifth component of complement (C5a) is activated. In addition, C5a is confirmed to exacerbate the vicious cycle of oxidative stress and inflammatory damage. For these reasons, we have investigated the development of nanomaterials with liver uptake to scavenge ROS and block C5a for hepatic IRI repair. RESULTS To achieve this goal, a traditional nanoantioxidant of nanoceria was surface conjugated with the anti-C5a aptamers (Ceria@Apt) to scavenge the ROS and reduce C5a-mediated inflammation. High uptake of Ceria@Apt in the liver was confirmed by preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The clinical symptoms of hepatic IRI were effectively alleviated by Ceria@Apt with ROS scavenging and C5a blocking in mice model. The released pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced, and subsequent inflammatory reaction involved in the liver was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS The synthesized Ceria@Apt has great potential of medical application in hepatic IRI repair, which could also be applied for other ischemic-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobing Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Hu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaelyn V Becker
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Jonathan W Engle
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Dalong Ni
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | | | - Dong Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
- Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
| | - Shuping Qu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
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Oliver S, Pham TTP, Li Y, Xu FJ, Boyer C. More than skin deep: using polymers to facilitate topical delivery of nitric oxide. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:391-405. [PMID: 32856653 DOI: 10.1039/d0bm01197e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Skin, the largest organ in the human body, provides several important functions, including providing protection from mechanical impacts, micro-organisms, radiation and chemicals; regulation of body temperature; the sensations of touch and temperature; and the synthesis of several substances including vitamin D, melanin, and keratin. Common dermatological disorders (CDDs) include inflammatory or immune-mediated skin diseases, skin infection, skin cancer, and wounds. In the treatment of skin disorders, topical administration has advantages over other routes of administration, and polymers are widely used as vehicles to facilitate the delivery of topical therapeutic agents, serving as matrices to keep therapeutic agents in contact with the skin. Nitric oxide (NO), a cellular signalling molecule, has attracted significant interest in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including various skin disorders. However, there are a number of challenges in effectively delivering NO. It must be delivered in a controlled manner at sufficient concentrations to be efficacious and the delivery system must be stable during storage. The use of polymer-based systems to deliver NO topically can be an effective strategy to overcome these challenges. There are three main approaches for incorporating NO with polymers in topical delivery systems: (i) physical incorporation of NO donors into polymer bases; (ii) covalent attachment of NO donors to polymers; and (iii) encapsulation of NO donors in polymer-based particles. The latter two approaches provide the greatest control over NO release and have been used by numerous researchers in treating CDDs, including chronic wounds and skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Oliver
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN) and Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia 2052.
| | - Thi Thu Phuong Pham
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN) and Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia 2052.
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Key Lab of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Ministry of Education), Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Fu-Jian Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Key Lab of Biomedical Materials of Natural Macromolecules (Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Ministry of Education), Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Cyrille Boyer
- Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN) and Centre for Advanced Macromolecular Design (CAMD), School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia 2052.
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Klemm P, Huschke S, Rodewald M, Ehteshamzad N, Behnke M, Wang X, Cinar G, Nischang I, Hoeppener S, Weber C, Press AT, Höppener C, Meyer T, Deckert V, Schmitt M, Popp J, Bauer M, Schubert S. Characterization of a library of vitamin A-functionalized polymethacrylate-based nanoparticles for siRNA delivery. Polym Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d0py01626h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A 60-membered library of vitamin A-functionalized P(MMA-stat-DMAEMA)-b-PPEGMA block copolymers was synthesized by RAFT polymerization. From these, nanoparticles containing genetic material were formulated and fully characterized.
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Ezhilarasan D. Advantages and challenges in nanomedicines for chronic liver diseases: A hepatologist's perspectives. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 893:173832. [PMID: 33359144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases (CLD) are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. CLD patients are at a high risk of developing progressive liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and subsequent liver failure. To date, there is no specific and effective therapies exist for patients with various forms of CLD. The application of nanotechnology has emerged as a rapidly developing area of interest for the safe and target-specific delivery of poorly aqueous soluble hepatoprotective agents and nucleic acids (siRNA/miRNAs) in CLD. The nanoparticle combination improves bioavailability and plasma stability of drugs with poor aqueous solubility. However, the extent of successful functional delivery of nanoparticles into hepatocytes is often surprisingly low. High Kupffer cells interaction reduces the nanomedicine efficacy. During fibrosis, the extracellular matrix accumulation in the perisinusoidal space restricts nanoparticle delivery to hepatocytes. The availability and uptake of nanoparticles exposure to different cells in the liver microenvironment is as Kupffer cells > sinusoidal endothelial cells > HSCs > hepatocytes. The most widely used strategy to reduce nanoparticles and macrophages interaction is to coat the particle surface with polyethylene glycol. The cationic charged nanoparticles have increased hepatocyte delivery by increased cellular interaction by disrupting the endosomal system via their pH buffering capacity. The immune clearance and toxicity of nanoparticles are mainly unpredictable. Therefore, more elaborate knowledge on exact cellular uptake and intracellular accumulation, trafficking, and endosomal sorting of nanoparticle is the need of the hour to improve the rational carrier design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Drug and Molecular Medicine Laboratory (The Blue Lab), Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), No.162, PH Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India.
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Novel therapeutics for portal hypertension and fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 215:107626. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Abdel-Sattar AR, Abo-Saif AA, Aboyoussef AM. Nicorandil and atorvastatin attenuate carbon tetrachloride - induced liver fibrosis in rats. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2020; 42:582-593. [PMID: 32988255 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2020.1830104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study aimed to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effects of nicorandil and atorvastatin against experimentally induced liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar male rats wereassigned tofivegroups; control group, fibrosis group, the remaining three groups received in addition to CCl4, N-acetyl cysteine (300 mg/kg), nicorandil(15 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (20 mg/kg), respectively. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of rats with CCl4 (2 ml/kg), twice weekly for five consecutive weeks. All treatments were administered daily starting from the first day of fibrosis induction for five consecutive weeks. By the end of the experiment, fibrosis biomarkers [hepatic transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and hydroxyproline (HYP)], liver function [serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin and total bilirubin] were assessed. Moreover, lipid profile [total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)], inflammatory biomarkers [hepatic myeloperoxidase (MPO), serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)], relative liver weight] and oxidative stress biomarkers [malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT)] were evaluated. In support, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of liver alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were performed. RESULTS Nicorandil and atorvastatin effectively reduced fibrosis and liver function biomarkers. They both restored serum lipid profile, TNF-α, MPO, relative liver weight, and hepatic MDA content. Alternatively, they markedly elevated albumin, HDL-C and hepatic content of GSH and CAT. Additionally, a marked histopathological and immunohistochemical improvement of α-SMA was observed. CONCLUSION Nicorandil and atorvastatin might be promising protective agents against liver fibrosis through amelioration of liver function, modulation of fibrous formation, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Ahmed Abo-Saif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Amira M Aboyoussef
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
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Radwan SAA, El-Maadawy WH, Yousry C, ElMeshad AN, Shoukri RA. Zein/Phospholipid Composite Nanoparticles for Successful Delivery of Gallic Acid into aHSCs: Influence of Size, Surface Charge, and Vitamin A Coupling. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:7995-8018. [PMID: 33116514 PMCID: PMC7585553 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s270242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Zein/phospholipid composite nanoparticles (CNPs) were developed as a delivery platform for gallic acid (GA), a polyphenolic compound with reported preclinical antifibrotic activities. However, the therapeutic applicability of GA is hampered owing to its low bioavailability and rapid clearance. Accordingly, we developed GA-loaded CNPs. The effect of their size, surface charge and targeting strategies was investigated and optimized, with the aim of enhancing their ability to deliver GA to the activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) in order to suppress hepatic fibrosis progression. METHODS Different CNP systems were prepared and characterized with regard to their particle size, zeta potential, and GA entrapment efficiency (EE%). Also, they were statistically optimized via response surface methodology. The optimized systems were investigated with regard to their in vitro GA release, in vitro efficacy on aHSCs, and in vivo biodistribution in healthy rats. RESULTS The GA-loaded cationic CNPs coupled with vitamin A (GA-CACNP/VA; 192 nm) showed high GA EE% (60% w/w), highest cellular internalization via active targeting, and more selective hepatic distribution, relative to free GA solution, GA-loaded anionic, and GA-loaded cationic systems. Furthermore, GA-CACNP/VA markedly triggered the apoptosis of aHSCs, repressed collagen deposition, and inhibited HSCs' activation to a lesser extent. CONCLUSION The GA-CACNP/VA was shown to be a promising candidate for specific and controlled delivery of GA to aHSCs, which may provide an effective antifibrotic therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Ali Ali Radwan
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Walaa H El-Maadawy
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza12411, Egypt
| | - Carol Yousry
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aliaa Nabil ElMeshad
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Raguia Aly Shoukri
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Kumar S, Fayaz F, Pottoo FH, Bajaj S, Manchanda S, Bansal H. Nanophytomedicine Based Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Liver Cancer. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:1999-2024. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666191114113048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the fifth (6.3% of all cancers i.e., 548,000 cases/year) and ninth (2.8% of all
cancers i.e., 244,000 cases/year) most prevalent cancer worldwide in men and women, respectively. Although
multiple choices of therapies are offered for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) like liver resection
or transplant, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, radioembolization, and systemic
targeted agent, by the time of diagnosis, most of the cases of HCC are in an advanced stage, which
renders therapies like liver transplant or resection and local ablation impractical; and targeted therapy
has its shortcomings like general toxicity, imprecise selectivity, several adversative reactions, and resistance
development. Therefore, novel drugs with specificity and selectivity are needed to provide the potential
therapeutic response. Various researches have shown the potential of phytomedicines in liver
cancer by modulating cell growth, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis. However, their therapeutic potential
is held up by their unfavorable properties like stability, poor water solubility, low absorption, and
quick metabolism. Nonetheless, the advancement of nanotechnology-based innovative nanocarrier formulations
has improved the phytomedicines’ profile to be used in the treatment of liver cancer. Nanocarriers
not only improve the solubility and stability of phytomedicines but also extend their residence in
plasma and accomplish specificity. In this review, we summarize the advancements introduced by
nanotechnology in the treatment of liver cancer. In particular, we discuss quite a few applications of
nanophytomedicines like curcumin, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, berberine, apigenin, triptolide,
and resveratrol in liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sector-III, MB Road, PushpVihar, New Delhi-110017, India
| | - Faizana Fayaz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sector-III, MB Road, PushpVihar, New Delhi-110017, India
| | - Faheem Hyder Pottoo
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sakshi Bajaj
- Department of Herbal Drug Technology, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sector-III, MB Road, PushpVihar, New Delhi-110017, India
| | - Satish Manchanda
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sector-III, MB Road, PushpVihar, New Delhi-110017, India
| | - Himangini Bansal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Sector-III, MB Road, PushpVihar, New Delhi-110017, India
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Bai X, Su G, Zhai S. Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for the Diagnosis and Therapy of Liver Fibrosis. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1945. [PMID: 33003520 PMCID: PMC7599596 DOI: 10.3390/nano10101945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, a reversible pathological process of inflammation and fiber deposition caused by chronic liver injury and can cause severe health complications, including liver failure, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Traditional diagnostic methods and drug-based therapy have several limitations, such as lack of precision and inadequate therapeutic efficiency. As a medical application of nanotechnology, nanomedicine exhibits great potential for liver fibrosis diagnosis and therapy. Nanomedicine enhances imaging contrast and improves tissue penetration and cellular internalization; it simultaneously achieves targeted drug delivery, combined therapy, as well as diagnosis and therapy (i.e., theranostics). In this review, recent designs and development efforts of nanomedicine systems for the diagnosis, therapy, and theranostics of liver fibrosis are introduced. Relative to traditional methods, these nanomedicine systems generally demonstrate significant improvement in liver fibrosis treatment. Perspectives and challenges related to these nanomedicine systems translated from laboratory to clinical use are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China;
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Gaoxing Su
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Shumei Zhai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China;
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Radwan SAA, El-Maadawy WH, ElMeshad AN, Shoukri RA, Yousry C. Impact of Reverse Micelle Loaded Lipid Nanocapsules on the Delivery of Gallic Acid into Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells: A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Hepatic Fibrosis. Pharm Res 2020; 37:180. [PMID: 32875435 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-02891-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gallic acid (GA) is a polyphenolic compound with proven efficacy against hepatic fibrosis in experimental animals. However, it suffers from poor bioavailability and rapid clearance that hinders its clinical investigation. Accordingly, we designed and optimized reverse micelle-loaded lipid nanocapsules (RMLNC) using Box-Behnken design that can deliver GA directly into activated-hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) aiming to suppress hepatic fibrosis progression. METHODS GA-RMLNC was prepared using soft energy, solvent free phase inversion temperature method. Effects of formulation variables on particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE%) and GA release were studied. In-vivo biodistribution of GA-RMLNC in rats and in-vitro activities on aHSCs were also explored. RESULTS Nano-sized GA-RMLNCs (30.35 ± 2.34 nm) were formulated with high GA-EE% (63.95 ± 2.98% w/w) and physical stability (9 months). The formulated system showed burst GA release in the first 2 h followed by sustained release profile. In-vivo biodistribution imaging revealed that RMLNC-loaded with rhodamine-B accumulated mainly in rats' livers. Relative to GA; GA-RMLNC displayed higher anti-proliferative activities, effective internalization into aHSCs, marked down-regulation in pro-fibrogenic biomarkers' expressions and elevated HSCs' apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS These findings emphasize the promising application of RMLNC as a delivery system in hepatic fibrosis treatment, where successful delivery of GA into aHSCs was ensured via increased cellular uptake and antifibrotic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa Ali Ali Radwan
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr Al Aini street, PO Box 11562, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Walaa H El-Maadawy
- Department of Pharmacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Kornaish El Nile, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba (P.O. 30), Giza, 12411, Egypt
| | - Aliaa Nabil ElMeshad
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr Al Aini street, PO Box 11562, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Raguia Aly Shoukri
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr Al Aini street, PO Box 11562, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Carol Yousry
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr Al Aini street, PO Box 11562, Cairo, Egypt
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Ezhilarasan D. Endothelin-1 in portal hypertension: The intricate role of hepatic stellate cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:1504-1512. [PMID: 32791849 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220949148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPACT STATEMENT Portal hypertension is pathologically defined as increase of portal venous pressure, mainly due to chronic liver diseases such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. In fibrotic liver, activated hepatic stellate cells increase their contraction in response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) via autocrine and paracrine stimulation from liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and injured hepatocytes. Clinical studies are limited with ET receptor antagonists in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Hence, studies are needed to find molecules that block ET-1 synthesis. Accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the perisinusoidal space, tissue contraction, and alteration in blood flow are prominent during portal hypertension. Therefore, novel matrix modulators should be tested experimentally as well as in clinical studies. Specifically, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β1, Wnt, Notch, rho-associated protein kinase 1 signaling antagonists, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and γ, interferon-γ and sirtuin 1 agonists should be tested elaborately against cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedical Research Unit and Laboratory Animal Centre, Saveetha Dental College, 194347Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai 600 077, India
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Luo J, Gong T, Ma L. Chondroitin-modified lipid nanoparticles target the Golgi to degrade extracellular matrix for liver cancer management. Carbohydr Polym 2020; 249:116887. [PMID: 32933700 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is a serious liver disease in which hepatoma cells and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) overproduce extracellular matrix (ECM), which involves the Golgi apparatus. Here chondroitin-modified lipid nanoparticles (CSNs) were prepared and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and retinoic acid (RA) using a thin-film hydration-high pressure homogenization method. The resulting DOX + RA-CSNs were efficiently taken up by SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells and HSCs in culture, where they accumulated in the Golgi apparatus and destroyed it, inhibiting ECM production. Injecting DOX + RA-CSNs into mice with primary liver cancer or H22 allografts led to significantly higher tumor penetration by DOX and RA, greater antitumor efficacy, and lower DOX-related toxicity than injecting a solution of the two drugs. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry of liver tissues showed that DOX + RA-CSNs dramatically reduced expression of the ECM components. These results suggest that CSNs show potential for targeting drugs to the Golgi apparatus of liver cancer cells and potentially other types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology and Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Tao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drugs and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Lixin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology and Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-resources, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China.
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