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Evaluation of microspheres containing cytokine neutralizing antibodies in endotoxemia

M J D'Souza1, C W Oettinger, G V Milton

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern School of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Insights

Albumin microspheres carrying neutralizing antibodies (NAs) effectively protected rats from lethal endotoxemia by blocking tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 beta. This microsphere delivery system offers a significant therapeutic advantage over free NAs for treating endotoxic shock.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Macrophages release tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 β) in response to endotoxin.
  • Blocking TNF α and IL-1 β reduces lethality in endotoxin-induced shock.
  • Albumin microspheres are effective carriers for delivering therapeutic agents to macrophages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of microsphere-encapsulated TNF α and/or IL-1 β neutralizing antibodies (NAs) against free NAs in preventing endotoxemia lethality.
  • To evaluate the duration of cytokine blockade by microsphere-form NAs in endotoxin-induced cytokine release.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of microsphere-form NAs versus free NAs in a rat model of lethal endotoxemia.
  • In vivo and in vitro assessment of endotoxin-induced cytokine release.
  • Evaluation of animal survival rates and duration of cytokine blockade.

Main Results:

  • Microsphere-form NAs protected 80% of rats from lethal endotoxemia, while free NAs showed no survival benefit beyond 48 hours.
  • Microsphere-form NAs more potently attenuated endotoxin-induced cytokine release in vivo compared to free NAs.
  • In vitro, microsphere-form NAs blocked endotoxin-induced cytokine release for at least 24 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Microsphere-encapsulated TNF α and/or IL-1 β NAs demonstrate superior efficacy in reducing mortality during lethal endotoxemia.
  • The microsphere delivery system provides a more therapeutically advantageous approach for blocking endotoxin-induced cytokine release compared to free NAs.

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