Efficient TGF-β1 Delivery to Articular Chondrocytes In Vitro Using Agro-Based Liposomes.

Émilie Velot,Cyril Kahn,Hervé Kempf,Arnaud Bianchi,Kamil Elkhoury,Elmira Arab-Tehrany,Michel Linder

doi:10.3390/ijms23052864

Abstract

The low efficiency in transfecting rat- and human-derived chondrocytes have been hampering developments in the field of cartilage biology. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 has shown positive effects on chondrocytes, but its applications remain limited due to its short half-life, low stability and poor penetration into cartilage. Naturally derived liposomes have been shown to be promising delivery nanosystems due to their similarities with biological membranes. Here, we used agro-based rapeseed liposomes, which contains a high level of mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, to efficiently deliver encapsulated TGF-β1 to rat chondrocytes. Results showed that TGF-β1 encapsulated in nano-sized rapeseed liposomes were safe for chondrocytes and did not induce any alterations of their phenotype. Furthermore, the controlled release of TGF-β1 from liposomes produced an improved response in chondrocytes, even at low doses. Altogether, these outcomes demonstrate that agro-based nanoliposomes are promising drug carriers.

Highlights

Accepted: 2 March 2022Chondrocytes are very specific cells that form cartilage
The results showed that whatever the Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 concentration encapsulated, nanoliposomes can control the release of this growth factor, with a significant
The results showed that whatever the TGF-β1 concentration encapsulated, nanoliposomes can control the release of this growth factor, with a significant release from 3 h which progressively increases until 96 h

Summary

Introduction

Chondrocytes are very specific cells that form cartilage. When chondrocytes are present in joints, they differentiate and express in their mature functional form, named as articular phenotype, that is primarily identified by the expression of type II collagen (Col 2), aggrecan (ACAN), and Sox-9 (SRY (Sex-Determining Region Y)-Box 9) genes [1–3]. In vitro transfection methods of chondrocytes either possess a very low transfection efficiency or high toxicity, whereas in vivo strategies are limited by the lack of blood circulation because of the avascular nature and poor self-repair capacity of articular cartilage. As for viral and nonviral vectors, limitations exist. Viral vectors are usually more efficient, but suffer from safety issues, such as immunogenicity and oncogenesis. Nonviral chemical-based vectors are generally regarded as more safe, easy-to-use alternatives, but possess low chondrocyte transfection efficiencies [6]

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