Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Response by Anti-Inflammatory Peptide Release from Reducible Thermosensitive Nanoparticles

Activated macrophages constitute key players in the development of inflammatory disease such as osteoarthritis. Treatment of inflammatory disorders using peptide drugs may be effective by promoting anti-inflammatory effects. However, poor bioavailability and potential peptide antigenicity may result in unwanted immune responses thus limit its commercial applications. Therefore, in order to improve the efficacy of the peptide drug, alternative delivery approaches must be sought. For this purpose, we designed a reducible thermosensitive biocompatible poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) polymer as a drug carrier to protect the peptide from enzymatic degradation, thus increasing the half-life and efficacy of the peptide. The studies presented suggest pNIPAm nanoparticles can be an effective alternative tool for treatment of osteoarthritis ex-vivo model.