Matrix metalloproteinase-1 decorated polymersomes, a surface-active extracellular matrix therapeutic, potentiates collagen degradation and attenuates early liver fibrosis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Eline Geervliet - , University of Twente (Author)
  • Silvia Moreno - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Luca Baiamonte - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Richell Booijink - , University of Twente (Author)
  • Susanne Boye - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Peng Wang - , Chair of Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Brigitte Voit - , Chair of Organic Chemistry of Polymers, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Albena Lederer - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, University of Stellenbosch (Author)
  • Dietmar Appelhans - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Ruchi Bansal - , University of Twente (Author)

Abstract

Liver fibrosis affects millions of people worldwide and is rising vastly over the past decades. With no viable therapies available, liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for advanced diseased patients. Excessive accumulation of aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, mostly collagens, produced by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), is a hallmark of liver fibrosis. Several studies have suggested an inverse correlation between collagen-I degrading matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) serum levels and liver fibrosis progression highlighting reduced MMP-1 levels are associated with poor disease prognosis in patients with liver fibrosis. We hypothesized that delivery of MMP-1 might potentiate collagen degradation and attenuate fibrosis development. In this study, we report a novel approach for the delivery of MMP-1 using MMP-1 decorated polymersomes (MMPsomes), as a surface-active vesicle-based ECM therapeutic, for the treatment of liver fibrosis. The storagestable and enzymatically active MMPsomes were fabricated by a post-loading of Psomes with MMP-1. MMPsomes were extensively characterized for the physicochemical properties, MMP-1 surface localization, stability, enzymatic activity, and biological effects. Dose-dependent effects of MMP-1, and effects of MMPsomes versus MMP-1, empty polymersomes (Psomes) and MMP-1 + Psomes on gene and protein expression of collagenI, MMP-1/TIMP-1 ratio, migration and cell viability were examined in TGF?-activated human HSCs. Finally, the therapeutic effects of MMPsomes, compared to MMP-1, were evaluated in vivo in carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4)induced early liver fibrosis mouse model. MMPsomes exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, MMP-1 surface localization and improved therapeutic efficacy in TGF?-activated human HSCs in vitro. In CCl4-induced early liver fibrosis mouse model, MMPsomes inhibited intra-hepatic collagen-I (ECM marker, indicating early liver fibrosis) and F4/80 (marker for macrophages, indicating liver inflammation) expression. In conclusion, our results demonstrate an innovative approach of MMP-1 delivery, using surface-decorated MMPsomes, for alleviating liver fibrosis.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)594-607
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of controlled release
Volume332
Publication statusPublished - 10 Apr 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 33737203
Scopus 85102892732
ORCID /0000-0002-4531-691X/work/148607981

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Extracellular matrix degrading therapeutic, Liver fibrosis, Matrix metalloproteinase-1, Structure and storage properties, Surface-active polymersomes