Scientists have developed a novel therapeutic gel to fight rheumatoid arthritis, that can absorb extra fluids in swelling joints and deliver drugs.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that causes inflammation and deformity of the joints, and affects about one per cent of the world population, according to researchers at Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in South Korea.
In this autoimmune condition, the bodys immune system attacks the soft tissue of the joints, leading to an accumulation of synovial fluid.
While this clear fluid lubricates and nourishes the joints, its excess causes swelling and pain.
Immune cells at the inflamed joints are the predominant source of nitric oxide (NO), a gas with various physiological functions.
"Nitric oxide is like a double-edge sword. It regulates inflammation and protects our body by killing external pathogens. However, when in excess, it is toxic and may cause RA, as well as other autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer," said KIM Won Jong, group leader of the study published in the journal Advanced Materials.
Current RA treatments are based on anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain and inflammation, but scientists tried a more challenging approach by targeting NO itself.
NO is a transient gas, which stays in circulation for less than 10 seconds, before binding to other molecules.
The team developed a gel responsive to such fugitive molecules, using acrylamide as a base material and a new crosslinker to keep it in place.
Unlike the monomeric form, polymeric acrylamide hydrogel has little toxicity and can contain a large amount of water.
In addition, the cross-linking agent (NOCCL) forms bridges between the acrylamide molecules creating a net, which can trap drug molecules inside.
When NO cleaves the NOCCL bridges, the gel changes its structure, frees the drug and absorbs new liquid.
The team confirmed that NOCCL crosslinking agent can selectively and sensitively react with NO.
The scientists are now working on a nano-sized hydrogel in a RA mouse model.
Moreover, these type of hydrogels could be useful for other diseases characterised by overexpression of NO, or maybe even as environmental sensors, since NO is also a polluting gas emitted in vehicle exhaust.
