AsianScientist (Oct. 17, 2017) – Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have developed a hydrogel that can treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by absorbing extra fluids in swelling joints and releasing drugs. Their results have been published in Advanced Materials.
RA is a long-term disease that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints, and affects about one percent of the world population. In this autoimmune condition, the body’s immune system attacks the soft tissue of the joints, leading to an accumulation of synovial fluid. While this clear fluid lubricates and nourishes the joints, excess fluid causes swelling and pain.
Immune cells at the inflamed joints are the predominant source of nitric oxide (NO), a gas with various physiological functions.
“Nitric oxide is like a double-edge sword. It regulates inflammation and protects our body by killing external pathogens. However, when in excess, it is toxic and may cause RA, as well as other autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer,” explains the group leader, Professor Kim Won Jong.
Current RA treatments are based on anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain and inflammation, but IBS scientists tried a more challenging approach by targeting NO itself. NO is a transient gas, which stays in circulation for less than ten seconds before binding to other molecules.
The research team developed a gel responsive to NO, using acrylamide as a base material and a new crosslinker to keep it in place. Unlike the monomeric form, polymeric acrylamide hydrogel has low toxicity and can contain a large amount of water. In addition, the cross-linking agent (NOCCL) forms bridges between the acrylamide molecules creating a net, which can trap drug molecules inside. When NO cleaves the NOCCL bridges, the gel changes its structure, frees the drug and absorbs new liquid.
Although this is a preliminary study, the team confirmed that NOCCL crosslinking agent can selectively and sensitively react with NO. The scientists are now working on a nano-sized hydrogel in a RA mouse model. Moreover, these type of hydrogels could be useful for other diseases characterized by overexpression of NO, or maybe even as environmental sensors, since NO is also a polluting gas emitted in vehicle exhaust.
The article can be found at: Park et al. (2017) Therapeutic Gas Responsive Hydrogel.
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Source: Institute for Basic Science; Photo: Shutterstock.
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