B cell-targeted polylactic acid nanoparticles as platform for encapsulating jakinibs: potential therapeutic strategy for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: B cells are pivotal in systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Materials & methods: To address this, Nile Red-labeled polylactic acid nanoparticles (NR-PLA NPs) loaded with the JAK inhibitor baricitinib (BARI), specifically targeting JAK1 and JAK2 in B cells, were developed. Results: Physicochemical characterization confirmed NP stability over 30 days. NR-PLA NPs were selectively bound and internalized by CD19+ B cells, sparing other leukocytes. In contrast to NR-PLA NPs, BARI-NR-PLA NPs significantly dampened B-cell activation, proliferation and plasma cell differentiation in healthy controls. They also inhibited key cytokine production. These effects often surpassed those of equimolar-free BARI. Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of PLA NPs to regulate autoreactive B cells, offering a novel therapeutic avenue for autoimmune diseases.

In this study, a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, was investigated by focusing on a type of immune cell called B cells. Special nanoparticles (NPs) labeled with Nile Red (NR) and made from polylactic acid (PLA) were created. These NPs were loaded with a drug called baricitinib (BARI), which targets specific proteins (JAK1 and JAK2) in B cells. This was done to determine if these NPs could help control the behavior of B cells, which are important in autoimmune diseases. First, these NPs remained stable for a long time (30 days). The NR-labeled PLA NPs (NR-PLA NPs) were also good at attaching to and entering a specific type of B cell called CD19⁺ B cells while leaving other types of immune cells alone. The use of NR-PLA NPs loaded with BARI produced exciting results. These NPs were better at reducing the activity, growth and transformation of B cells into plasma cells compared with the drug BARI by itself. They also stopped the production of certain immune system signals called cytokines, which are usually overactive in autoimmune diseases. This work suggests that PLA NPs could be a promising way to control overactive B cells that contribute to autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus. This could open a new and exciting path for developing treatments for these conditions.

Composite Membranes Based on Functionalized Mesostructured Cellular Foam Particles and Sulfonated Poly(Ether Ether Sulfone) with Potential Application in Fuel Cells.

Composite polymeric membranes were designed based on sulfonated poly(ether ether sulfone) (sPEES) and mesostructured cellular foam (MCF) silica nanoparticles functionalized with organic compounds. Parameters such as molecular weight (MW) of the polymer, nature of the functional group of the MCF silica, and percentage of silica charge were evaluated on the final properties of the membranes. Composite membrane characterization was carried out on their water retention capacity (high MW polymer between 20-46% and for the low MW between 20-60%), ion exchange capacity (IEC) (high MW polymer between 0.02 mmol/g-0.07 mmol/g and low MW between 0.03-0.09 mmol/g) and proton conductivity (high MW polymer molecular between 15-70 mS/cm and low MW between 0.1-150 mS/cm). Finally, the membrane prepared with the low molecular weight polymer and 3% wt. of functionalized silica with sulfonic groups exhibited results similar to Nafion® 117.

Chitosan-PEG-folate-Fe(III) complexes as nanocarriers of epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

Controlled release nanocarriers systems are promising for the administration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in the treatment and prevention of several diseases. Therefore, the stability and therapeutic effects of EGCG must be enhanced from an encapsulation strategy. Thus, this research aims to explore a method to prepare EGCG nanocarriers based on coordination complexes from Fe (III) ions and blends of modified chitosan (Ch) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and folic acid (F). Different degrees of deacetylated Ch and conjugated with F were evaluated, whose values determined the final amount of Fe (III) in the complexes. All these complexes were amorphous with a polydispersity index (PDI) higher than 0.3. The assembling and homogeneity were improved adding tripolyphosphate (TPP), yielding particle sizes near 200 nm, and PDI values of 0.2, measured by DLS and TEM. The EGCG encapsulation efficiency was about 60%, and the loading capacity was in the range of 26% to 50%. The EGCG release profile displayed a controlled release without a burst effect, providing the best fit with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating interactions among EGCG and the polymer matrix. The above results reveal the potential of these nanocarriers as suitable systems for controlled release and have not yet been reported.

Policaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone/siloxane hybrid materials: Synthesis and in vitro delivery of diclofenac and biocompatibility with periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

In this paper, we report the synthesis of polycaprolactone (PCL) based hybrid materials containing hydrophilic domains composed of N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP), and γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS). The hybrid materials were obtained by RAFT copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone and MPS using a pre-formed dixanthate-end-functionalized PCL as macro-chain transfer agent, followed by a post-reaction crosslinking step. The composition of the samples was determined by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction indicated that the crystallinity of PCL decreases in the presence of the hydrophilic domains. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the samples present an interconnected porous structure on the swelling. Compared to PCL, the hybrid materials presented low water contact angle values and higher elastic modulus. These materials showed controlled release of diclofenac, and biocompatibility with human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.