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Like burrs on your clothes, molecule-size capsules can deliver drugs by sticking to targeted cells
June 26, 2009It is now possible to engineer tiny containers the size of a virus to deliver drugs and other materials with almost 100 percent efficiency to targeted cells in the bloodstream.
According to a new Cornell study, the technique could one day be used to deliver vaccines, drugs or genetic material to treat cancer and blood and immunological disorders. The research is published today (June 25, 2009) online at the Web site of the journal Gene Therapy.
"This study greatly extends the range of therapies," said Michael King, Cornell associate professor of biomedical engineering, who co-authored the study with lead author Zhong Huang, a former Cornell research associate who is now an assistant professor at the Shenzhen University School of Medicine in China. "We can introduce just about any drug or genetic material that can be encapsulated, and it is delivered to any circulating cells that are specifically targeted," King added.
The technique involves filling the tiny lipid containers, or nanoscale capsules, with a molecular cargo and coating the capsules with adhesive proteins called selectins that specifically bind to target cells. A shunt coated with the capsules is then inserted between a vein and an artery. Much as burrs attach to clothing in a field, the selectin-coated capsules adhere to targeted cells in the bloodstream.
After rolling along the shunt wall, the cells break free from the wall with the capsules still attached and ingest their contents.
The technique mimics a natural immune response that occurs during inflammation, which stimulates cells on blood vessel walls to express selectins, which quickly form adhesive bonds with passing white blood cells. The white blood cells then stick to the selectins and roll along the vessel wall before leaving the bloodstream to fight disease or infection.
Selectin proteins may be used to specifically target nucleated (cells with a nucleus) cells in the bloodstream.
The study shows that since only the targeted cells ingest the contents of the nanocapsules, the technique could greatly reduce the adverse side effects caused by some drugs.
In a previous paper, King showed how metastasizing cancer cells circulating in the blood stream can stick to selectin-coated devices containing a second protein that programs cancer cells to self-destruct.
Said King, "We've found a way to disable the function of cancer cells without compromising the immune system," which is a problem with many other therapies directed against metastasis.
The current study demonstrates that genetic material can be delivered to targeted cells to turn off specific genes and interfere with processes that lead to disease. The researchers filled nanocapsules with a small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and targeted them to specific circulating cells. When the targeted cells ingested the capsules, the siRNA turned off a gene that produces an enzyme that contributes to the degradation of cartilage in arthritis.
In a similar manner, the method could be used to target the delivery of chemotherapy drugs, vaccine antigens to white blood cells, specific molecules that mitigate auto-immune disorders and more, King said.
Cornell University
The technique involves filling the tiny lipid containers, or nanoscale capsules, with a molecular cargo and coating the capsules with adhesive proteins called selectins that specifically bind to target cells. A shunt coated with the capsules is then inserted between a vein and an artery. Much as burrs attach to clothing in a field, the selectin-coated capsules adhere to targeted cells in the bloodstream.
After rolling along the shunt wall, the cells break free from the wall with the capsules still attached and ingest their contents.
The technique mimics a natural immune response that occurs during inflammation, which stimulates cells on blood vessel walls to express selectins, which quickly form adhesive bonds with passing white blood cells. The white blood cells then stick to the selectins and roll along the vessel wall before leaving the bloodstream to fight disease or infection.
Selectin proteins may be used to specifically target nucleated (cells with a nucleus) cells in the bloodstream.
The study shows that since only the targeted cells ingest the contents of the nanocapsules, the technique could greatly reduce the adverse side effects caused by some drugs.
In a previous paper, King showed how metastasizing cancer cells circulating in the blood stream can stick to selectin-coated devices containing a second protein that programs cancer cells to self-destruct.
Said King, "We've found a way to disable the function of cancer cells without compromising the immune system," which is a problem with many other therapies directed against metastasis.
The current study demonstrates that genetic material can be delivered to targeted cells to turn off specific genes and interfere with processes that lead to disease. The researchers filled nanocapsules with a small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and targeted them to specific circulating cells. When the targeted cells ingested the capsules, the siRNA turned off a gene that produces an enzyme that contributes to the degradation of cartilage in arthritis.
In a similar manner, the method could be used to target the delivery of chemotherapy drugs, vaccine antigens to white blood cells, specific molecules that mitigate auto-immune disorders and more, King said.
Cornell University
White Blood Cells Current Events and White Blood Cells News RSSNew cancer target for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Physician-scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered a molecular mechanism that may prove to be a powerful target for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes, or white blood cells.
Hundreds of genes distinguish patients likely to survive advanced melanoma
Although the chances of surviving advanced melanoma aren't very good with current therapies, some patients can live for years with cancer that has spread beyond the skin to other organs.
Magnetic nanoparticles to simultaneously diagnose, monitor and treat
Whether it's magnetic nanoparticles (mNPs) giving an army of 'therapeutically armed' white blood cells direction to invade a deadly tumour's territory, or the use of mNPs to target specific nerve channels and induce nerve-led behaviour (such as the life-dependant thumping of our hearts), mNPs have come a long way in the past decade.
Study reveals a 'missing link' in immune response to disease
The immune system's T cells have the unique responsibilities of being both jury and executioner. They examine other cells for signs of disease, including cancers or infections, and, if such evidence is found, rid them from the body. Precisely how T cells shift so swiftly from one role to another, however, has been a mystery.
Immunotherapy demonstrates long-term success in treating lymphoma
Targeted immunotherapy has been an attractive new therapeutic area for a number of cancers because it has the potential to destroy tumor cells without damaging surrounding normal tissue. New study results demonstrate high success rates using specialized white blood cells to prevent or treat lymphoma associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-lymphoma) in patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).
Bacteria 'launch a shield' to resist attack
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark along with other collaborators in Denmark and the US found that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa can 'switch on' production of molecules that kill white blood cells - preventing the bacteria being eliminated by the body's immune system.
Taking medicine for HIV proves hard to swallow for many people
Highly active antiretroviral therapy has increased the longevity and quality of life for people living with human immunodeficiency virus. But it requires strict adherence in taking the medicine, something that is extremely difficult for many individuals to do.
Scientists create NICE solution to pneumonia vaccine testing problems
Medical clinics the world over could benefit from new software* created at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), where a team of scientists has found a way to improve the efficiency of a pneumonia vaccine testing method developed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
The bowels of infection
Current research suggests that latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The related report by Onyeagocha et al, "Latent cytomegalovirus infection exacerbates experimental colitis," appears in the November 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.
Herbal tonic for radiotherapy
Antioxidant extracts of the leaves of the Gingko biloba tree may protect cells from radiation damage, according to a study published in the International Journal of Low Radiation.
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White Blood Cells by The White Stripes, White Stripes This, the much anticipated third album by Detroit's critically acclaimed brother and sister duo, The White Stripes was recorded in early February this year at the legendary Easley Studio in Memphis, Tennessee and if The White Stripes were the Velvet Underground this would be their Loaded. It's becoming apparent that THE WHITE STRIPES ARE the great white hope and they have developed an enthusiastic following across the country and around the world. White Blood Cells has 15 original tracks performed by Jack and Meg White, no orchestras, session musicians or studio trickery has been employed. 2001 release. |
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White Blood Cell (Leukocyte) Corporeals Plush by Giant Microbes Don't let his cute looks fool you -- this highly trained killer takes out enemy cells with extreme prejudice. Learn how to stay on his good side. |
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White Blood Cells [Limited Edition with Bonus DVD] by The White Stripes Limited Edition features 2 previously unreleased tracks, "Hand Springs" & "Lafayette Blues" and 4 videos, "Fell in Love with a Girl," "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," "Hotel Yorba" & "We're Going To Be Friends". |
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White Blood Cells The White Stripes (Primary Contributor) |
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The White Stripes - White Blood Cells by The White Stripes (Author) Here's the matching folio to the acclaimed 2001 breakthrough from this Detroit duo, darlings of the international music media. Note-for-note tab transcriptions of Jack White's playing on 16 tracks: Aluminum * Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground * Fell in Love with a Girl * Hotel Yorba * I Can't Wait * I Think I Smell a Rat * I'm Finding It Harder to Be a Gentleman * Offend in Every Way * The Union Forever * We're Going to Be Friends * and more. |
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Elephant by The White Stripes Double colored vinyl. One white. One red. |
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White Blood Cells by The White Stripes This, the much anticipated third album by Detroit's critically acclaimed brother and sister duo, The White Stripes was recorded in early February this year at the legendary Easley Studio in Memphis, Tennessee and if The White Stripes were the Velvet Underground this would be their Loaded. It's becoming apparent that THE WHITE STRIPES ARE the great white hope and they have developed an enthusiastic following across the country and around the world. White Blood Cells has 15 original tracks performed by Jack and Meg White, no orchestras, session musicians or studio trickery has been employed. 2001 release. |
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