Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Analysis of Targeted Viral Protein Nanoparticles Delivered to HER2+ Tumors
Published on: June 18, 2013
A Molecular Targeted Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Ulcerative Colitis via Dual-targeting Nanoparticles Delivering
Feihong Deng1,2, Shuying He3, Shudan Cui2
1Department of Gastroenterology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Background And Aims:
Macrophages are a promising therapeutic target for intestinal mucosal repair. MiR-146b appears to control macrophage activation and cell proliferation.
Methods:
By loading miR-146b mimic on mannose-modified trimethyl chitosan [MTC]-conjugated nanoparticles [NPs] [MTC-miR146b], a molecular targeted immunotherapeutic approach was developed to selectively target intestinal macrophages for mucosal regeneration and tumourigenesis in mouse models.
Results:
We first confirmed that miR-146b expression was significantly enhanced during mucosal regeneration in a murine colitis model. Moreover, after mucosal damage, MTC-miR146b mimic-treated wild-type mice had dramatically restored body weight and mucosal barrier function compared with MTC-NC treated mice. Strikingly, MTC-miR146b mimic oral administration protected miR-146b-deficient mice from dextran sodium sulphate [DSS] injury and the colitis-associated cancer process. Mechanistically, miR-146b strongly inhibited M1 macrophage activation by suppressing the Toll-like receptor 4 [TLR4] signalling pathway, resulting in the repression of the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. More importantly, miR-146b overexpression in bone marrow-derived macrophages [BMDMs] in M1 differentiation conditions induced a phenotype similar to M2 macrophages and improved the proliferation of co-cultured colonic epithelial cells via STAT3-dependent IL-10 production.
Conclusions:
MTC-miR146b should be regarded as an effective candidate for oral delivery and could improve the efficacy of immunotherapies for ulcerative colitis and colitis-associated cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...

