Long-Circulating Liposomal Delivery System Targeting at PDGFR-β Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of IFN-α on Hepatic Fibrosis

Title:Long-Circulating Liposomal Delivery System Targeting at PDGFR-β Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of IFN-α on Hepatic Fibrosis

Volume: 23 Issue: 20

Author(s): Qinghua Li*, Qi Yu, Jing Ju, Tiangeng You*, Zhiqiang Yan, Xiangli Nan, Jie Zhong and Jing E. Zhou

Affiliation:

• Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, 1800 Yuntai Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200123,China

• Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, 1800 Yuntai Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200123,China

Keywords: Interferon-α, long-circulating liposomes, drug delivery, target, PDGFβR, hepatic fibrosis.

Abstract: Background: In this study, we developed a drug of IFN-α combined with pPB-SSLs, which specifically target at platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β).

Aim: The aim of this study is to improve the limitations of IFN-α including insufficient drug concentration for the target cells and side-effects causing serious concerns in treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Methods: We constructed the targeted stable liposomes (SSLs) that not only increase the half-life period of IFN- α, but also can deliver IFN-α to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Subsequently, the anti-hepatic-fibrosis effect of pPB-SSL-IFN-α was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescent assay showed that the pPB-SSL particles were able to be easily taken up by 3T3 cells. The cellular distribution experiment demonstrated that most of the pPB-SSL-IFN-α would accumulate around the fibroblast, and the cell would be invaded by pPB-SSLIFN- α.

Results: The pPB-SSL-IFN-α showed an entrapment efficiency of 39.73 ± 5.21% for IFN-α and the particles reached nanoscale level. It showed more significant alleviated performance for hepatic fibrosis than IFN-α. Both in vitro and in vivo, the pPB-SSL-IFN-α could contribute to reduction or inhibition in the expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA even cleavage of caspase-3. Moreover, it was found that the pPB-SSL-IFN-α induced the apoptosis of 3T3 cells by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 as well as α-SMA. Under observation for fibrotic liver of mice treated with pPB-SSL-IFN-α, the semiquantitative score for collagen I, TGF-β1 and α-SMA were all inferior to the control group and those treated with PEG-IFN-α, SSL-IFN-α or IFN-α. In addition, pPB-SSL-IFN-α has been detected to down-regulate the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in comparison with model group (P<0.01). And the phosphorylations of JAK1 and STAT1 were enhanced by pPB-SSL-IFN-αin comparison with model groups (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: All results of our present research indicated that the pPB-SSL-IFN-α might be an alternative antiliver fibrotic drug and the synthetic method may offer a new access to the anti-hepatic fibrosis research and development.

Cite this article as:

Li Qinghua*, Yu Qi, Ju Jing, You Tiangeng*, Yan Zhiqiang, Nan Xiangli, Zhong Jie and Zhou E. Jing, Long-Circulating Liposomal Delivery System Targeting at PDGFR-β Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of IFN-α on Hepatic Fibrosis, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2017; 23 (20) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666161208144953

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666161208144953	Print ISSN 1381-6128
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1873-4286