Targeted Combination of Antioxidative and Anti‐Inflammatory Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis using Multifunctional Dendrimer‐Entrapped Gold Nanoparticles as a Platform

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Abstract
Abundant reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) cytokine supply of M1‐type macrophages boost rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathological process. For efficient RA therapy, here a multifunctional nanoplatform is presented based on generation 5 (G5) poly(amidoamine) dendrimer‐entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au DENPs) to achieve co‐delivery of antioxidant alpha‐tocopheryl succinate (α‐TOS) and anti‐inflammatory anti‐TNF‐α siRNA to macrophage cells. G5 dendrimers with amine termini are sequentially functionalized with 1,3‐propane sultone (1,3‐PS), α‐TOS through a polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer, and PEGylated folic acid (FA), and subsequently entrapped with Au NPs. The generated functional Au DENPs exhibit desired cytocompatibility, zwitterion‐rendered antifouling property, and FA‐mediated targeting specificity, enabling serum‐enhanced siRNA delivery to M1‐type macrophage cells. Meanwhile, the attached α‐TOS affords enhanced oxidation resistance of macrophage cells. In vivo investigation shows that the treatment of a collagen‐induced arthritis mouse model using α‐TOS‐modified Au DENPs/TNF‐α siRNA polyplexes can achieve excellent combination therapy effect in inflammatory cytokines downregulation of RA lesion and bone erosions. The therapeutic efficacy is also supported by 3D micro‐computed tomography analysis and TNF‐α cytokine reduction of RA lesion joints in the mRNA, protein, and histology levels. The created multifunctional nanoplatform may be employed in antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory combination therapy of RA.
Funding Information
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (81761148028)
  • Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (19XD1400100)

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