Development of a DDS technology using neutrophils for targeting inflammatory sites

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K19940
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 90:Biomedical engineering and related fields
• Research Institution: University of Shizuoka
• Principal Investigator: Asai Tomohiro 静岡県立大学, 薬学部, 教授 (00381731)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: drug delivery system / マイクロディスク / 好中球 / 炎症 / 脳梗塞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aiming to construct a novel drug delivery system (DDS) focusing on the pathological progression of cerebral infarction, we conducted research on neutrophil-mediated DDS technology, which uses neutrophils as a drug carrier. We attempted to develop a DDS that has a long-term cytoprotective effect using neutrophils with microdiscs that enable sustained drug release. We optimized the composition of the drug reserve part of the microdisks to release tacrolimus sustainedly. In a release study of tacrolimus, the optimized microdiscs enabled sustained drug release for 2 to 4 weeks. Evaluation of neutrophil dynamics using an acute lung injury model and a middle cerebral artery infarction model suggested that neutrophils accumulate at the site of inflammation.

Free Research Field

薬物送達学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、好中球に搭載可能な薬物放出制御型のマイクロディスクを開発し、免疫抑制薬の炎症部位選択的DDSが炎症を伴う難治性疾患の治療に応用できる可能性を示唆した。細胞医薬が拓く未来の医療のさらにその先を見据えた挑戦的な研究において有益な知見が得られた。本研究成果は、いまだ治療法が確立されていない炎症性疾患の治療研究やDDS製剤開発の一助となるものであり、よりよい医療の発展に繋がることが期待される。