Dendrimers to treat rheumatoid arthritis. 2011

Xavier Bosch
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain. xavbosch@clinic.ub.es

In comparison with linear polymers, dendrimers' multivalency and nanostructure confer substantial advantages in drug delivery including rapid cell entry, targetability, and easier passage across biological barriers. Previous work has shown that phosphorus-containing dendrimers capped with anionic azabisphosphonate (ABP) end groups prompt anti-inflammatory activation of human monocytes. By using two mouse models of arthritis mimicking human rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Hayder et al. recently demonstrated that intravenous injection of dendrimer ABP inhibits the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and osteoclastogenesis--two fundamental monocyte-dependent processes of inflammation and bone erosion in RA. While available biological therapies for RA target only one of the cytokines involved in inflammation or bone erosion, dendrimer ABP, by virtue of its double action on both processes in mice, might become a more active and cost-saving alternative for RA patients. This Perspective highlights this important development and the challenges that lie ahead.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001172 Arthritis, Rheumatoid A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D050091 Dendrimers Tree-like, highly branched, polymeric compounds. They grow three-dimensionally by the addition of shells of branched molecules to a central core. The overall globular shape and presence of cavities gives potential as drug carriers and CONTRAST AGENTS. Dendrimer,Dendritic Compounds,Dendritic Polymers,Dendrons,Compound, Dendritic,Dendritic Compound,Dendritic Polymer,Polymer, Dendritic,Polymers, Dendritic
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus

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