| Autor: |
Meka RR; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA., Venkatesha SH; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA., Acharya B; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA., Moudgil KD; Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joints. Antiarthritic drugs are given systemically, thereby exposing various healthy organs to these drugs, resulting in adverse reactions. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for targeted drug delivery methods for inflamed joints. Materials & methods: We developed a liposomal drug delivery system using a novel peptide ligand (CKPFDRALC) named ART-2, which homes to the inflamed joints when injected intravenously to rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Results: The ART-2-coated liposomes encapsulating an antiarthritic drug, dexamethasone (DEX), were more effective in inhibiting arthritis progression than control-DEX liposomes or free DEX, despite a comparable safety profile. Conclusion: Peptide-targeted therapy has advantages over conventional drug delivery and can be adapted for rheumatoid arthritis therapy. |
