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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Ameliorating Osteoarthritis in Mice Using Silver Nanoparticles
Published on: June 2, 2023
PEG-NH2-Modified Gold Nanoparticle Deliver miRNA-140 for Effective Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Xiangping Luo1, Xiaochun Jiang1, Zheng Kang1
1Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hengyang Hospital of Hunan Normal University & Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease that causes pain and disability in older adults. MicroRNA-140 (miR-140) emerges as a promising therapeutic agent as it suppresses cartilage-degrading enzymes (eg, ADAMTS5, MMPs). However, its clinical translation is limited by rapid intra-articular degradation and poor chondrocyte penetration. The purpose of this experiment was to construct a nanocarrier for delivering miR-140 into chondrocytes, and to detect its delivery efficiency and biological effects.
Methods:
We engineered polyethylene glycol-aminated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-PEG-NH2) for miR-140 delivery. The efficiency of AuNPs-PEG-NH2-mediated miR-140-5p (AuNPs-miR-140) delivery was assessed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The biological function of AuNPs-miR-140 complexes was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of AuNPs-miR-140 in attenuating osteoarthritis progression was tested in a mouse model.
Results:
Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry revealed efficient delivery of miR-140-5p into ATDC5 cells by AuNPs-PEG-NH2. RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated a controlled sustained release of miR-140-5p from the nanocarriers, maintaining elevated miR-140-5p levels for 14 days. In vitro, AuNPs-miR-140 significantly suppressed catabolic factors (MMP-13 and ADAMTS5; p<0.01) and upregulated anabolic markers (COL2 and ACAN; p<0.01) in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. Consistent with these findings, in vivo studies showed that AuNPs-miR-140 significantly attenuated cartilage degradation in mice with osteoarthritis, and preserved cartilage structural integrity.
Conclusion:
AuNPs-PEG-NH2 is an efficient intra-articular miRNA delivery platform that successfully overcame the critical limitations of free miRNA therapy. This system effectively restored cartilage homeostasis and delayed osteoarthritis progression by prolonging miR-140 bioactivity and promoting chondrocyte uptake.
Insights
This study developed a gold nanoparticle carrier for microRNA-140 delivery to treat osteoarthritis. The nanocarrier successfully delivered miR-140 into chondrocytes, reducing cartilage degradation and delaying disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Osteoarthritis Research
Background:
- Osteoarthritis causes significant pain and disability, particularly in older adults.
- MicroRNA-140 (miR-140) shows therapeutic potential by inhibiting cartilage-degrading enzymes.
- Clinical use of miR-140 is hindered by instability and poor cell penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a nanocarrier for efficient intra-articular delivery of miR-140 into chondrocytes.
- To evaluate the delivery efficiency and biological effects of the nanocarrier system.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of miR-140-loaded nanocarriers in an osteoarthritis mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Polyethylene glycol-aminated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-PEG-NH2) were synthesized for miR-140 encapsulation.
- miR-140 delivery efficiency was confirmed using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.
- In vitro and in vivo studies assessed the impact on cartilage degradation markers and osteoarthritis progression.
Main Results:
- Efficient delivery of miR-140 into chondrocytes was achieved with the AuNPs-PEG-NH2 nanocarrier.
- Sustained release of miR-140 was observed for up to 14 days, suppressing catabolic factors and upregulating anabolic markers.
- In vivo studies demonstrated significant attenuation of cartilage degradation and preservation of structural integrity in an osteoarthritis mouse model.
Conclusions:
- AuNPs-PEG-NH2 serves as an effective intra-articular delivery platform for miRNA therapy.
- The nanocarrier system overcomes limitations of free miRNA, restoring cartilage homeostasis.
- This approach effectively delays osteoarthritis progression by enhancing miR-140 bioactivity and chondrocyte uptake.
