Synovial inflammation and cartilage degeneration are two crucial pathologic features in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA). Cartilage repair can be very thorny in inflammatory environment, which is highly associated with the activated macrophages. Thus, simultaneous inflammation suppression and cartilage repair are strongly required. However, the clinically used intra-articular injection agents face the problems of insufficient inflammation suppression, deficient cartilage repair and non-targeted therapy. Hence, we developed the novel dual-targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with miR-330-3p, an important inflammation inhibitor, and kartogenin (KGN), a pro-chondrogenic small molecular, for synergistic anti-inflammation and cartilage repair of TMJ OA. The folic acid (FA) and collagen II-targeting peptide (WYRGRL) were modified on the surface of LNPs for precise delivery to macrophages or chondrocytes, respectively. The dual-targeted miR-330-3p@FA-LNP and KGN@WYRGRL-LNP both manifested high bioavailability and selectively active cellular uptake. Furthermore, it functioned synergistically to alleviate synovium inflammation and cartilage degeneration via modulating the M1 to M2 repolarization of macrophages and maintaining the homeostasis of chondrocytes, with a low intra-articular injection dose of miR-330-3p@FA-LNP (0.0125 nmol) and KGN@W-LNP (0.025 nmol) in vivo. RNA-seq and further validation demonstrated that miR-330-3p functioned by inhibiting SPARC and KGN functioned by upregulating EPHB4. In summary, this dual-targeted LNPs system provides a promising therapeutic strategy for TMJ OA treatment.
Wenqiang Yan,Xingquan Xu,Qian Xu,Ziying Sun,Zhongyang Lv,Rui Wu,Wenjin Yan,Qing Jiang,Dongquan Shi
Background:Treatment of cartilage lesions is clinically challenging. A previous study demonstrated that a hyaluronic acid hydrogel (m-HA) with kartogenin (KGN)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (m-HA+KGN treatment) achieved superior cartilage repair in a rabbit model. However, large animals serve as a bridge to translate animal outcomes into the clinic.Hypotheses:(1) m-HA+KGN treatment could facilitate hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone tissue repair in a porcine model. (2) Defect size and type (full-thickness chondral vs osteochondral) influence the therapeutic efficacy of m-HA+KGN treatment.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:48 minipigs were randomized into 3 treatment groups: m-HA hydrogel with KGN-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (m-HA+KGN treatment), m-HA hydrogel (m-HA treatment), and untreated (blank treatment). Full-thickness chondral (6.5 mm or 8.5 mm in diameter) or osteochondral (6.5 mm or 8.5 mm in diameter; 5-mm depth) defects were prepared in the medial femoral condyle. At 6 and 12 months postoperatively, defect repair was assessed by macroscopic appearance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro–computed tomography (µCT), and histologic and biomechanical tests.Results:The m-HA+KGN group exhibited superior gross and histological healing after evaluation at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Improved quality of the repaired cartilage demonstrated by MRI and better subchondral bone reconstruction assessed by µCT were observed in the m-HA+KGN group. The m-HA+KGN group showed more hyaline-like cartilage exhibited by histological staining in terms of extracellular matrix, cartilage lacuna, and type II collagen. The biomechanical properties were improved in the m-HA+KGN group. With m-HA+KGN treatment, defects with a diameter of 6.5 mm or full-thickness chondral-type defects possessed significantly higher ICRS macroscopic and histological scores compared with diameter 8.5 mm or osteochondral-type defects.Conclusion:(1) m-HA+KGN treatment facilitated hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone tissue repair in a porcine model at the 12-month follow-up. (2) m-HA+KGN treatment demonstrated better therapeutic efficacy in defects with a diameter of 6.5 mm or full-thickness chondral-type defects.Clinical Relevance:This study verified the efficacy of this innovative KGN release system on cartilage repair. The KGN release system can be injected into defect sites arthroscopically. This convenient and minimally invasive operation holds important prospects for clinical application.