Intravenously administered drug delivery systems, including polymer particles, liposomes, niosomes, and micelles, interact with many blood components that subsequently influence their ability to achieve optimal therapy. Even `stealth' particles absorb proteins that then signal specific biologic responses in cells that they contact. Of particular importance are the signaling events that occur in mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) cells. It is well established that inflammatory events occur in response to some particle injections. Additionally, there are differences in the phagocytosis response to particles that are related to the proteins that are absorbed to the surface. In recent preliminary experiments, we have examined several micelles some of which exhibit a serum protein dependent anti-inflammation response in macrophages, specifically a surprising up regulation of pro-resolving macrophage markers. Despite similar physical micelle properties (size, shape, ?- potential, and chemistry), a second micelle type examined elicited a pro-inflammatory (M1 or classically activated) phenotype. We believe this difference in macrophage response is due to the difference in proteins? amount of protein and identity of proteins?that absorb to the surface of micelles from serum. Based upon this observation, we designed this exploratory/developmental grant application (R21) to focus on the goal of improving the design of nanoparticle drug delivery systems, particularly by understanding the monocyte and macrophage response to nanoparticles and their protein corona. Our central hypothesis is that the protein corona can modulate the activation toward both pro-inflammatory (M1) and pro-resolving (M2) macrophage and monocyte phenotypes. To achieve the overall goals of the project, we have designed two aims that will be examined in parallel. In the first aim we will determine and quantify the proteins absorbed by micelles from human plasma and serum (Gemeinhart and Hong). In the second aim, we will measure the response of monocytes and macrophages to micelles (Gemeinhart and Koh). The information obtained from the aims in vitro and in vivo will be correlated to establish recommendations to inform design of micelles and how these criteria can influence the response of monocytes and macrophages. In future work, we will strive to extend this to other MPS cells and examine the influence of these particles in specific disease models.

Public Health Relevance

The ability to treat many diseases is limited by the ability to deliver drugs, and the influence of the delivery vehicle has been often ignored despite the clear interaction with blood cells. In this application, we seek to understand the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory influence of drug delivery vehicles, specifically micelles. When accomplished, this project will be used to prospectively design micelles that appropriately influence blood interactions to aid in the therapies for diseases ranging from cancer to wound healing while reducing the unexpected side-effects or effectiveness-limiting influences of the micelles.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21EB022374-02
Application #
9338239
Study Section
Nanotechnology Study Section (NANO)
Program Officer
Rampulla, David
Project Start
2016-09-01
Project End
2019-08-31
Budget Start
2017-09-01
Budget End
2019-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Illinois at Chicago
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
098987217
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612