Stimuli-responsive polymeric nanomaterials for rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term inflammatory disease derived from an autoimmune disorder of the synovial membrane. Current therapeutic strategies for RA mainly aim to hamper the macrophages' proliferation and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, the accumulation of therapeutic agents targeted at the inflammatory site should be a crucial therapeutic strategy. Nowadays, the nanocarrier system incorporated with stimuli-responsive property is being intensively studied, showing the potentially tremendous value of specific therapy. Stimuli-responsive (i.e., pH, temperature, light, redox, and enzyme) polymeric nanomaterials, as an important component of nanoparticulate carriers, have been intensively developed for various diseases treatment. A survey of the literature suggests that the use of targeted nanocarriers to deliver therapeutic agents (nanotherapeutics) in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis remains largely unexplored. The lack of suitable stimuli-sensitive polymeric nanomaterials is one of the limitations. Herein, we provide an overview of drug delivery systems prepared from commonly used stimuli-sensitive polymeric nanomaterials and some inorganic agents that have potential in the treatment of RA. The current situation and challenges are also discussed to stimulate a novel thinking about the development of nanomedicine.

Recent advances in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

“…According to the reported literature, the mechanism of tailored nanoparticles to transport medicines in the treatment of RA is still mostly unknown (47). It was known that macrophages are more common in inflamed joints and that nanocarriers may be successfully absorbed and phagocytosed by macrophages with no surface modifications, therefore targeting immune cells like macrophages using a nanocarrier system was a way that was examined on priority (48).…”

“…Furthermore, the delivery techniques face a limitation of appropriate medication loading capacity. Poor compatibility between enclosed cargo and nanocarriers could be the source of these events (47). As a result, it's critical to start looking for new ways to improve the design of stimuli-dependent nanoparticles.…”

“…According to the reported literature, the mechanism of tailored nanoparticles to transport medicines in the treatment of RA is still mostly unknown. 47 It was known that macrophages are more common in inflamed joints and that nanocarriers may be successfully absorbed and phagocytosed by macrophages with no surface modifications; therefore targeting immune cells like macrophages using a nanocarrier system was a way that was examined on priority. 48 To control macrophage-mediated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, some of the early research used a low dose of clodronate, a bisphosphonate that triggers apoptosis in phagocytic cells and is contained in liposomes (unilamellar or multilamellar lipid vesicles with a mean size of 100 nm).…”

Polymeric Micro/Nanocarriers and Motors for Cargo Transport and Phototriggered Delivery

“…Optical, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), static light scattering (SLS), electrophoretic light scattering (ELS), and gravimetric techniques, among others, characterize nanocarriers' morphology, physicochemical properties, loading capacity (LC), encapsulation efficiency (EE), and cargo photorelease [119,120]. PMN-based strategies seek to control the cargo release for diagnosis [121], tissue engineering [122], drug delivery [123], targeted pesticides [124], etc. Cargo release with accelerated kinetics is a typical application of PMNs to improve the therapeutic effect in treating diseases [125], and spatiotemporal control of PMN-based technologies offers an attractive alternative for cargo delivery [34].…”

Nanomaterials for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Arthritis

“…Polymeric NPs are being prepared from colloidal particles and the diameter ranges considered (1–1000 nm). In fact, polymeric NPs have a great potential in the medical field due to their advantageous properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, great synthetic flexibility, ability to be precisely tailored, and appropriate mechanical properties [ 131 ]. To prevent the macrophage uptake, the surface of NPs may be sheathed with stealth polymers like PEG, and as the PEG covering density and thickness enhance, the polymeric NP circulation time increases in the blood.…”