title: Long-Circulating Liposomal Delivery System Targeting at PDGFR-β Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of IFN-α on Hepatic Fibrosis.
abstract: In this study, we developed a drug of IFN-α combined with pPB-SSLs, which specifically target at platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β).
  
  
  
  The aim of this study is to improve the limitations of IFN-α including insufficient drug concentration for the target cells and side-effects causing serious concerns in treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
  
  
  
  We constructed the targeted stable liposomes (SSLs) that not only increase the half-life period of IFN- α, but also can deliver IFN-α to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Subsequently, the anti-hepatic-fibrosis effect of pPB-SSL-IFN-α was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescent assay showed that the pPB-SSL particles were able to be easily taken up by 3T3 cells. The cellular distribution experiment demonstrated that most of the pPB-SSL-IFN-α would accumulate around the fibroblast, and the cell would be invaded by pPB-SSLIFN- α.
  
  
  
  The pPB-SSL-IFN-α showed an entrapment efficiency of 39.73 ± 5.21% for IFN-α and the particles reached nanoscale level. It showed more significant alleviated performance for hepatic fibrosis than IFN-α. Both in vitro and in vivo, the pPB-SSL-IFN-α could contribute to reduction or inhibition in the expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA even cleavage of caspase-3. Moreover, it was found that the pPB-SSL-IFN-α induced the apoptosis of 3T3 cells by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 as well as α-SMA. Under observation for fibrotic liver of mice treated with pPB-SSL-IFN-α, the semiquantitative score for collagen I, TGF-β1 and α-SMA were all inferior to the control group and those treated with PEG-IFN-α, SSL-IFN-α or IFN-α. In addition, pPB-SSL-IFN-α has been detected to down-regulate the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in comparison with model group (P<0.01). And the phosphorylations of JAK1 and STAT1 were enhanced by pPB-SSL-IFN-αin comparison with model groups (P < 0.01).
  
  
  
  All results of our present research indicated that the pPB-SSL-IFN-α might be an alternative antiliver fibrotic drug and the synthetic method may offer a new access to the anti-hepatic fibrosis research and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, 1800 Yuntai Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200123. China.
authors.forename: Qinghua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, 1800 Yuntai Road, Shanghai 200123. China.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211166. China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, 1800 Yuntai Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200123. China.
authors.forename: Tiangeng
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 Zhongshan Road (N), Shanghai 200062. China.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 Zhongshan Road (N), Shanghai 200062. China.
authors.forename: Xiangli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Nan
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Gastroenterology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, 1800 Yuntai Road, Shanghai 200123. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 Zhongshan Road (N), Shanghai 200062. China.
authors.forename: Jing E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004357:Drug Synergism; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008081:Liposomes; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta
keywords: Interferon-α; PDGFβR; drug delivery; hepatic fibrosis; long-circulating liposomes; target