A nanogel-based treatment for lupus

Public release date: 1-Mar-2013
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Contact: Jillian Hurst
press_releases@the-jci.org
Journal of Clinical Investigation

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. Current treatments are focused on suppression of the immune system, but these therapies can leave patients vulnerable to infection. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Tarek Fahmy and colleagues at Yale University report the development of a nanogel-based delivery system that targets an immunosuppressive drug (mycophenolic acid) directly to tissues associated with immune cells. A nanogel is composed of a polymer containing pores that can be loaded with drug compounds. Fahmy and colleagues tested the mycophenolic acid-loaded nanogel in a mouse model of lupus. Mice treated with the nanogel lived longer than untreated mice or mice treated with mycophenolic acid alone. Additionally, the onset of kidney damage, a common complication of lupus, was delayed in nanogel-treated mice. These studies suggest that nanogel-based therapies may be useful in the treatment of SLE.

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TITLE:

Nanogel-based delivery of mycophenolic acid ameliorates systemic lupus erythematosus

AUTHOR CONTACT:

Tarek Fahmy
Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
Phone: 203-512-1699; Fax: 203-432-1043; E-mail: tarek.fahmy@yale.edu

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Public release date: 1-Mar-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jillian Hurst
press_releases@the-jci.org
Journal of Clinical Investigation

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. Current treatments are focused on suppression of the immune system, but these therapies can leave patients vulnerable to infection. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Tarek Fahmy and colleagues at Yale University report the development of a nanogel-based delivery system that targets an immunosuppressive drug (mycophenolic acid) directly to tissues associated with immune cells. A nanogel is composed of a polymer containing pores that can be loaded with drug compounds. Fahmy and colleagues tested the mycophenolic acid-loaded nanogel in a mouse model of lupus. Mice treated with the nanogel lived longer than untreated mice or mice treated with mycophenolic acid alone. Additionally, the onset of kidney damage, a common complication of lupus, was delayed in nanogel-treated mice. These studies suggest that nanogel-based therapies may be useful in the treatment of SLE.

###

TITLE:

Nanogel-based delivery of mycophenolic acid ameliorates systemic lupus erythematosus

AUTHOR CONTACT:

Tarek Fahmy
Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
Phone: 203-512-1699; Fax: 203-432-1043; E-mail: tarek.fahmy@yale.edu

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/joci-ant022213.php

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