We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBE SCIENTIFIC, LLC

Download Mobile App




Deeply Penetrating Nanoparticles Designed to Treat Osteoarthritis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 12 Dec 2018
A novel nanoparticle-based drug transport system designed to treat osteoarthritis delivers the anabolic growth factor IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) directly to injured chondrocytes, which are located deep within a dense layer of cartilage tissue.

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating joint disease for which there are no disease-modifying therapies. More...
Several drugs have failed clinical trials due to inefficient and inadequate delivery to target cells. Anabolic growth factors are one class of such drugs that could be disease-modifying if delivered directly to chondrocytes, which reside deep within dense, anionic cartilage tissue.

To overcome this biological barrier, investigators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, USA) conjugated IGF-1 to a cationic nanocarrier for targeted delivery to chondrocytes and retention within joint cartilage after direct intra-articular injection. IGF-1 is an anabolic growth factor that promotes chondrocyte survival, proliferation, and biosynthesis of cartilage matrix macromolecules. It also shows anti-inflammatory effects in cytokine-challenged cartilage tissue. Because of these properties, IGF-1 has garnered considerable interest as a potential disease-modifying drug.

The nanocarriers were prepared from repetitively branched molecules known as dendrimers. Poly(amidoamide), or PAMAM, dendrimers were utilized for their tertiary amine groups at the branching points within the dendrimer. Metal ions were introduced to an aqueous dendrimer solution and the metal ions formed a complex with the lone pair of electrons present at the tertiary amines.

The nanocarriers were end functionalized with variable molar ratios of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to control surface charge. PEG provided reversible electrostatic interactions with anionic cartilage tissue to improve tissue binding, penetration, and residence time. From a small family of variably PEGylated dendrimers, an optimal formulation showing 70% uptake into cartilage tissue and 100% cell viability was selected.

The investigators reported in the November 28, 2018, online edition of the journal Science Translational Medicine that when conjugated to IGF-1, the dendrimer nanocarriers penetrated bovine cartilage of human thickness within two days and enhanced therapeutic IGF-1 joint residence time in rat knees by 10-fold for up to 30 days. In a surgical model of rat osteoarthritis, a single injection of dendrimer–IGF-1 rescued cartilage and bone more effectively than free IGF-1. Cartilage in injured joints treated with the nanoparticle-drug combination was far less damaged than cartilage in untreated joints or joints treated with IGF-1 alone. The joints also showed reductions in joint inflammation and bone spur formation.

"This is a way to get directly to the cells that are experiencing the damage, and introduce different kinds of therapeutics that might change their behavior," said senior author Dr. Paula Hammond, professor of chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Related Links:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology


Gold Member
Veterinary Hematology Analyzer
Exigo H400
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Droplet Digital PCR System
QX600 AutoDG
New
Biochemistry Analyzer
Chemi+ 8100
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Gut microbes may help in recognizing and treating pancreatic cancer (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Gut Microbes Could Enable Early Detection and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most serious and challenging diseases in oncology due to its difficulty in detection and limited treatment options. Now, a new international collaborative study suggests... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The tip optofluidic immunoassay platform enables rapid, multiplexed antibody profiling using only 1 μL of fingertip blood (Photo courtesy of hLife, DOI:10.1016/j.hlife.2025.04.005)

POC Diagnostic Platform Performs Immune Analysis Using One Drop of Fingertip Blood

As new COVID-19 variants continue to emerge and individuals accumulate complex histories of vaccination and infection, there is an urgent need for diagnostic tools that can quickly and accurately assess... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The U.S. FDA-cleared IntelliSep rapid host response diagnostic represents a breakthrough in sepsis care (Photo courtesy of Cytovale)

Rapid Diagnostic Test Slashes Sepsis Mortality by 39%

Sepsis remains one of the most challenging and fatal conditions in contemporary healthcare, accounting for nearly one-third of all hospital-related deaths in the United States. In emergency departments... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: The knowledge transfer partnership will further develop technology to rapidly diagnose serious and high-risk infectious diseases (Photo courtesy of Aston University)

Aston University and BG Research Partner to Commercialize Groundbreaking Medical Diagnostic

Technology that can rapidly diagnose high-consequence infectious diseases will take a major step forward towards commercialization, thanks to a new partnership. A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.