Polymeric dexamethasone prodrugs attenuate lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice with reduced glucocorticoid toxicity. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Due to their potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects, glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most widely used medications in treating lupus nephritis (LN). Long-term use of GCs, however, is associated with numerous off-target adverse effects. To reduce GCs' adverse effects, we previously developed two polymeric dexamethasone prodrug nanomedicines: N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-based dexamethasone prodrug (P-Dex), and micelle-forming polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based dexamethasone prodrug (ZSJ-0228). Both P-Dex and ZSJ-0228 provided sustained amelioration of LN in lupus-prone NZB/W F1 mice with reduced GC-associated adverse effects. Here, we have extended our investigation to the MRL/lpr mouse model of LN. Compared to dose equivalent daily dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex) treatment, monthly P-Dex or ZSJ-0228 treatments were more effective in reducing proteinuria and extending the lifespan of MRL/lpr mice. Unlike the daily Dex treatment, ZSJ-0228 was not associated with measurable GC-associated adverse effects. In contrast, adrenal gland atrophy was observed in P-Dex treated mice.

publication date

  • June 26, 2022

Research

keywords

  • Lupus Nephritis
  • Prodrugs

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85133183962

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102579

PubMed ID

  • 35768036

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 44