Design and Characterization of Novel Imatinib-Loaded Nanoparticles for Localized Immunomodulation

Overview

Anti-inflammatory drugs have been successful at reducing inflammation caused by autoimmune disease and allergies but often lead to a wide range of side effects due to their generalized immunosuppression that make patients more susceptible to infections. Th is study discusses the design and immunomodulatory effect of poly(lactic -co-glycolic acid) -poly(ethylene glycol) - maleimide (PLGA -PEG-MAL)-based nanoparticles as a carrier for imatinib, an immunosuppressive drug. These novel imatinib -loaded nanoparticles (I LNPs) improve targeted immunotherapy through localized and sustained drug release only in inflamed areas with high concentrations of autoreactive and hyperreactive cells. ILNPs were synthesized using nanoprecipitation and measured with dynamic light scatte ring (DLS) to have an average hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 34 nm with a low polydispersity index (PDI) of about 0.16. Lyophilization and UV -Vis spectroscopy results confirm consistent imatinib encapsulation across batches. In vitro human macropha ge assays demonstrate that ILNPs promote M2 macrophage differentiation, decrease expression of CD86, and upregulate surface expression of the V-domain Ig suppressor of Tcell activation (VISTA) protein, demonstrating the ability of these ILNPs to shift the phenotype of autoreactive and hyperreactive cells which can prevent the need for chronic drug usage due to the increased presence of tolerogenic cells that naturally favor an anti-inflammatory response. These ILNPs were made with a polymer containing a ma leimide functional group, making these ILNPs capable of being functionalized with cysteine -containing antigens and allowing for cell -specific immunomodulation, demonstrating the potential of these particles to be an effective treatment for both autoimmune disease and allergies.

Competition history

• JSHS 2025 Category not listed

Resources

• National JSHS abstract book ↗

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