Research Article Details
Article ID: | A15372 |
PMID: | 28941597 |
Source: | Metabolism |
Title: | Immunomodulatory liposomes targeting liver macrophages arrest progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. |
Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic macrophage inflammation, steatosis and fibrosis. Liposomes injected intravenously passively target hepatic myeloid cells and have potential to deliver immunomodulatory compounds and treat disease. We investigated targeting, delivery, immunomodulation and efficacy of liposomes in mice with diet-induced NASH. METHODS: Liposome-encapsulated lipophilic curcumin or 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (calcitriol) were injected intravenously into mice with diet-induced NASH. Liver and cell liposome uptake was assessed by in vivo imaging and flow cytometry. Immunomodulation of targeted cells were assessed by RNA transcriptome sequencing. NASH was assessed by histological scoring, serum liver enzymes and fasting glucose/insulin and liver RNA transcriptome sequencing. RESULTS: Liposomes targeted lipid containing MHC class-II+ hepatic dendritic cells in mice and humans. Delivery of liposomal curcumin to hepatic dendritic cells shifted their inflammatory profile towards a regulatory phenotype. Delivery of liposomal curcumin or calcitriol to mice with diet-induced NASH led to reduced liver inflammation, fibrosis and fat accumulation, and reduced insulin resistance. RNA transcriptome sequencing of liver from treated mice identified suppression of pathways of immune activation, cell cycle and collagen deposition. CONCLUSIONS: Liposomes are a new strategy to target lipid rich inflammatory dendritic cells and have potential to deliver immunomodulatory compounds to treat NASH. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.09.002 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D387 | Vitamin D | Supplement | DB11094 | -- | Vitamin source drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D054 | Calcitriol | Supplement | DB00136 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D092 | Curcumin | Chemical drug | DB11672 | PPARG; COX inhibitor | Anticancer agent; NSAID | Under clinical trials | Details |