Nano spray dryer for vectorizing α-galactosylceramide in polymeric nanoparticles: A single step process to enhance invariant Natural Killer T lymphocyte responses.

The recognition of α-galactosylceramide (αGC), a high-affinity CD1d antigen, by the invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) lymphocytes results in potent immunostimulatory responses that have been exploited in advanced cancer patients. Therefore, to improve αGC biological activity, several studies vectorized this agonist in PLGA and/or PEG-based nanoparticles. Despite promising findings, these approaches require several steps, from organic solvent decontamination through extrusion in membrane systems. Using a nano spray dryer, we vectorized αGC into a cationic copolymer (dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate - DBM) in a single step process, free of organic solvent. This methodology allowed the production of stable αGC-vectorized nanoparticles (DBM + αGC) with a more potent biological activity than the free agonist. DBM nanoparticles improved in vivo αGC loading into the CD1d molecule and induced a higher frequency of IFN-γ-expressing iNKT cells. Consequently, mice treated with DBM + αGC presented higher levels of serum IFN-γ than those treated with free agonist. Also, vectorized nanoparticles improved αGC ability to control the growth of murine lung metastatic carcinoma. Thus, this is the first study showing that nano spray dryer technology is a simple and alternative approach to enhance iNKT responses.

Balance between the two kinin receptors in the progression of experimental focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in mice.

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most important renal diseases related to end-stage renal failure. Bradykinin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal inflammation, whereas the role of its receptor 2 (B2RBK; also known as BDKRB2) in FSGS has not been studied. FSGS was induced in wild-type and B2RBK-knockout mice by a single intravenous injection of Adriamycin (ADM). In order to further modulate the kinin receptors, the animals were also treated with the B2RBK antagonist HOE-140 and the B1RBK antagonist DALBK. Here, we show that the blockage of B2RBK with HOE-140 protects mice from the development of FSGS, including podocyte foot process effacement and the re-establishment of slit-diaphragm-related proteins. However, B2RBK-knockout mice were not protected from FSGS. These opposite results were due to B1RBK expression. B1RBK was upregulated after the injection of ADM and this upregulation was exacerbated in B2RBK-knockout animals. Furthermore, treatment with HOE-140 downregulated the B1RBK receptor. The blockage of B1RBK in B2RBK-knockout animals promoted FSGS regression, with a less-inflammatory phenotype. These results indicate a deleterious role of both kinin receptors in an FSGS model and suggest a possible cross-talk between them in the progression of disease.