Inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by α1-antitrypsin functionalized colloidal microcarriers.
Layer-by-layer (LbL)-coated microcarriers offer a good opportunity as transport systems for active agents into specific cells and tissues. The assembling of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes enables a modular construction of the carriers and therefore an optimized integration and application of drug molecules. Here, we report the multilayer incorporation and transport of α(1)-antitrypsin (AT) by colloidal microcarriers. AT is an anti-inflammatory agent and shows inhibitory effects toward its pro-inflammatory antagonist, human neutrophil elastase (HNE). The highly proteolytic enzyme HNE is released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) during inflammatory processes and can cause host tissue destruction and pain. The high potential of this study is based on a simultaneous intra- and extracellular application of AT-functionalized LbL carriers. Carrier application in PMNs results in significant HNE inhibition within 21 h. Microcarriers phagocytosed by PMNs were time dependently decomposed inside phagolysosomes, which enables the step-by-step release of AT. Here, AT inactivates HNE before being released, which avoids a further HNE concentration increase in the extracellular space and, subsequently, reduces the risk of further tissue destruction. Additionally, AT surface-functionalized microcarriers allow the inhibition of already released HNE in the extracellular space. Finally, this study demonstrates the successful application of LbL carriers for a concurrent extra- and intracellular HNE inhibition aiming the rebalancing of protease and antiprotease concentrations and the subsequent termination of chronic inflammations.
Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr 16-18, 04107 Leipzig, Germany. uta.reibetanz@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Uta
U
Reibetanz
Maria
M
Schönberg
Sophie
S
Rathmann
Vincent
V
Strehlow
Martin
M
Göse
Jacqueline
J
Leßig
D002470:Cell Survival; D003102:Colloids; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D055550:Protein Stability; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
D003102:Colloids; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase