Theranostic nanoemulsions for macrophage COX-2 inhibition in a murine inflammation model

DOI

10.1016/j.clim.2015.04.019

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

9-1-2015

Publication Title

Clinical Immunology

Volume

160

Issue

1

First Page

59

Last Page

70

ISSN

15216616

Keywords

Cyclooxygenase-2, Fluorescence, Imaging, Inflammation, Macrophage

Abstract

Targeting macrophages for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes is an attractive approach applicable to multiple diseases. Here, we present a theranostic nanoemulsion platform for simultaneous delivery of an anti-inflammatory drug (celecoxib) to macrophages and monitoring of macrophage migration patterns by optical imaging, as measurement of changes in inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of the theranostic nanoemulsions was evaluated in a mouse inflammation model induced with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Nanoemulsions showed greater accumulation in the inflamed vs. control paw, with histology confirming their specific localization in CD68 positive macrophages expressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) compared to neutrophils. With a single dose administration of the celecoxib-loaded theranostic, we observed a reduction in fluorescence in the paw with time, corresponding to a reduction in macrophage infiltration. Our data strongly suggest that delivery of select agents to infiltrating macrophages can potentially lead to new treatments of inflammatory diseases where macrophage behavior changes are monitored in vivo.

Open Access

Green Accepted

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