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Theranostics 2019; 9(3):708-720. doi:10.7150/thno.30418 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Enhanced Therapeutic Effect of RGD-Modified Polymeric Micelles Loaded With Low-Dose Methotrexate and Nimesulide on Rheumatoid Arthritis

Yunlong Wang^1,2*, Zhongbing Liu^1*, Ting Li^1*, Lin Chen^1*, Jiayao Lyu¹, Chunhong Li¹, Yan Lin¹, Na Hao¹, Meiling Zhou^4✉, Zhirong Zhong^1,3✉

1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
2. Department of Pharmacy, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
3. Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.
4. Department of Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
*These authors contributed equally to this work.

✉ Corresponding authors: Dr. Meiling Zhou: Tel./fax 8618084955975 and E-mail meilzhoucom; Dr. Zhirong Zhong: Tel./fax +8613982796280 and E-mail zhongzredu.cn.

Abstract

Angiogenesis plays an essential role in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RGD peptide shows high affinity and selectivity for integrin α_vβ_3, which is one of the most extensively examined target of angiogenesis. Nimesulide could improve the anti-rheumatic profile of methotrexate. But the clinical application was limited due to water-insolubility of both methotrexate and nimesulide and lacking targeting ability. Therefore, this study aimed to design a targeted drug delivery system of micelles mediated by RGD plus the passive targeting of micelles to solve the application problems of methotrexate and nimesulide (M/N), and thus enhance their combined therapeutic effect on RA.

Methods: RGD was conjugated with NHS-PEG-PLA to form RGD-PEG-PLA for the preparation of RGD-modified drug-loaded micelles (R-M/N-PMs). The size and zeta potential of micelles were measured by dynamic light scattering. Morphology was detected by transmission electron microscopy. The inhibition effect of R-M/N-PMs on angiogenesis was assessed by the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. The real-time fluorescence imaging analysis was conducted to examine the in vivo distribution of the fluorescence-labeled R-M/N-PMs. Rats arthritis model induced by Freund's adjuvant was used to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy of R-M/N-PMs.

Results: The in vitro study indicated successful development of R-M/N-PMs. R-M/N-PMs could markedly suppress the angiogenesis of chick embryos. The fluorescence-labeled R-M/N-PMs mainly accumulated in arthritic joints. RGD enhanced the targeting ability of micelles and thus promoted retention of micelles in arthritic joints. Moreover, R-M/N-PMs significantly alleviated the joint swelling while reducing bone erosion and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. It helped to recover the bone microstructure of arthritic rats.

Conclusion: Our results confirmed that the targeted delivery of the combination of a low dose of methotrexate and nimesulide mediated by RGD-modified polymeric micelles could enhance the therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis. These findings provide a promising potential for the clinical therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords: RGD, Polymeric micelles, Methotrexate, Nimesulide, Rheumatoid arthritis

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