title: Feasibility of using a bone-targeted, macromolecular delivery system coupled with prostaglandin E(1) to promote bone formation in aged, estrogen-deficient rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Macromolecular delivery systems have therapeutic uses because of their ability to deliver and release drugs to specific tissues. The uptake and localization of HPMA copolymers using Asp(8) as the bone-targeting moiety was determined in aged, ovariectomized (ovx) rats. PGE(1) was attached via a cathepsin K-sensitive linkage to HPMA copolymer-Asp(8) conjugate and was tested to determine if it could promote bone formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The uptake of FITC-labeled HPMA copolymer-Asp(8) conjugate (P-Asp(8)-FITC) on bone surfaces was compared with the mineralization marker, tetracycline. Then a targeted PGE(1)-HPMA copolymer conjugate (P-Asp(8)-FITC-PGE(1)) was given as a single injection and its effects on bone formation were measured 4 weeks later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  P-Asp(8)-FITC preferentially deposited on resorption surfaces, unlike tetracycline. A single injection of P-Asp(8)-FITC-PGE(1) resulted in greater indices of bone formation in aged, ovx rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HPMA copolymers can be targeted to bone surfaces using Asp(8), with preferential uptake on resorption surfaces. Additionally, PGE(1) attached to the Asp(8)-targeted HPMA copolymers and given by a single injection resulted in greater bone formation measured 4 weeks later. This initial in vivo study suggests that macromolecular delivery systems targeted to bone may offer some therapeutic opportunities and advantages for the treatment of skeletal diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 4108, USA. scott.miller@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kopecková
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kopecek