title: A novel lipid-based drug carrier targeted to the non-parenchymal cells, including hepatic stellate cells, in the fibrotic livers of bile duct ligated rats.
abstract: In fibrotic livers, collagen producing hepatic stellate cells (HSC) represent a major target for antifibrotic therapies. We designed liposomes with surface-coupled mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) modified human serum albumin (HSA) to target HSC via the M6P receptor. In this study we determined the pharmacokinetics and target specificity of M6P-HSA-liposomes in a rat model of liver fibrosis. Ten minutes after injection of [(3)H]-M6P-HSA-liposomes 90% of the dose has cleared the circulation. The blood elimination of these liposomes was counteracted by free M6P-HSA and polyinosinic acid, a competitive inhibitor of scavenger receptors. The M6P-HSA-liposomes accumulated in HSC. However, also Kupffer cells and endothelial cells contributed to the uptake of M6P-HSA-liposomes in the fibrotic livers. Polyinosinic acid inhibited the accumulation of the liposomes in Kupffer cells and liver endothelial cells, but not in HSC. PCR analysis revealed that cultured HSC express scavenger receptors. This was confirmed by Western blotting, although activation of HSC diminishes scavenger receptor protein expression. In conclusion, in a rat model for liver fibrosis M6P-HSA-liposomes can be efficiently targeted to non-parenchymal cells, including HSC. M6P receptors and scavenger receptors are involved in the cellular recognition of these liposomes, allowing multiple pharmacological interference in different pathways involved in the fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Biology Section, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joanna E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Adrian
authors.forename: Jan A A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kamps
authors.forename: Gerrit L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Scherphof
authors.forename: Dirk K F
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: Anne-miek
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Loenen-Weemaes
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reker-Smit
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Terpstra
authors.forename: Klaas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Poelstra
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D017931:DNA Primers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008360:Mannosephosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D011069:Poly I / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D008081:Liposomes; D008360:Mannosephosphates; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014316:Tritium; D011069:Poly I