The research scientists of the CIIR are continually seeking new knowledge though basic and translational research in immunity, autoimmunity, inflammation and regenerative medicine. Here we highlight selected research in a feature that will update periodically.
| A Novel Immuno-Liposomal System for Targeted Drug Delivery to Glomeruli in Murine Models of Lupus Nephritis |
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Collaborators on this project include: Yogesh Scindia, Umesh Deshmukh and Pushpa Thimmalapura. |
Murine models of spontaneous and experimentally induced glomerulonephritis (GN) show that intrinsic tissue responses of the end organ are important in determining disease progression. Despite these data, current treatments focus on systemic treatments with little emphasis on targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to the glomeruli. In the glomeruli, mesangial cells respond to injury by proliferating and producing chemokines, which in turn recruit infiltration by immune cells leading to chronic renal disease. Therefore, modulating mesangial cell responses would serve as a novel treatment strategy for limiting renal damage. The glomerular architecture with its unique, fenestrated glomerular endothelial lining and the accessibility of the mesangial space to circulation makes this a feasible approach.
In our laboratory, we have taken advantage of cell surface molecules on mesangial cells that can act as targets for specific delivery of genes and compounds. Sized liposomes conjugated to specific antibodies have been designed to deliver therapeutic agents to the mesangium and mesangial cells. We believe this method has the potential to be extended to treat human kidney disease.