Human serum albumin-TRAIL conjugate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Albumin conjugation is viewed as an effective means of protracting short in vivo lifespans of proteins and targeting rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we present a human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate linked with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) via a bifunctional PEG derivative (HSA-TRAIL). Prepared HSA-TRAIL was found to have a larger molecular size (∼240 kDa, 15.4 nm) than TRAIL (∼66 kDa, 6.2 nm), and its bioactivity (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, and antiproliferation) was well preserved in Mia Paca-2 cells and mouse splenocytes. The enhanced therapeutic efficacy of HSA-TRAIL was demonstrated in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. The incidence and clinical scores, expressed as degree of erythema and swelling in HSA-TRAIL-treated mice, were remarkably lower than those of TRAIL-treated mice. The serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-2 in HSA-TRAIL-treated mice were significantly lower than those of TRAIL-treated mice. Furthermore, HSA-TRAIL accumulated in the hind paws of CIA mice, not in naïve TRAIL mice. Pharmacokinetic profiles of HSA-TRAIL were greatly improved in comparison to those of TRAIL (AUCinf: 844.1 ± 130.0 vs 36.0 ± 1.2 ng·h/mL; t1/2: 6.20 ± 0.72 vs 0.23 ± 0.01 h, respectively). The HSA-TRAIL conjugate, which presents clear advantages of targeting RA and long systemic circulation by HSA and unique anti-inflammatory efficacy by TRAIL, has potential as a novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Hyeong Jun
HJ
Byeon
Sun Young
SY
Min
Insoo
I
Kim
Eun Seong
ES
Lee
Kyung Taek
KT
Oh
Beom Soo
BS
Shin
Kang Choon
KC
Lee
Yu Seok
YS
Youn
D000818:Animals; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000633:toxicity; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D012709:Serum Albumin; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D003094:Collagen