Ultrasound-assisted C3F8-filled PLGA nanobubbles for enhanced FGF21 delivery and improved prophylactic treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy
Jiameng Gao, Jingjing Liu, Zheying Meng, Yanming Li, Yuping Hong, Lirui Wang, Lan He, Bing Hu, Yuanyi Zheng, Tianliang Li, Daxiang Cui, E Shen
Abstract
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac complication of diabetes that currently lacks specific treatment. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been proved to have cardioprotective effect in DCM. However, the insufficient cardiac delivery effect of FGF21 limits its application in DCM. Therefore, to improve the therapeutic efficacy of FGF21 in DCM, an effective drug delivery system is urgently required. In this study, perfluoropropane (C3F8) and polyethylenimine (PEI)-doped poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobubbles (CPPNBs) were synthesized via double-emulsion evaporation and FGF21 was efficiently absorbed ([email protected]) via the electrostatic incorporation effect. [email protected] could effectively deliver FGF21 to the myocardial tissue through the cavitation effect under low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS). The as-prepared [email protected] could efficiently load FGF21 after doping with the cationic polymer PEI, and displayed uniform dispersion and favorable biosafety. After filling with C3F8, [email protected] could be used for distribution monitoring through ultrasound imaging. Moreover, [email protected] significantly downregulated the expression of ANP, CTGF, and caspase-3 mRNA via the action of LFUS owing to increased FGF21 release, therefore exhibiting enhanced inhibition of myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis in DCM mice. In conclusion, we established an effective protein delivery nanocarrier for the diagnosis and prophylactic treatment of DCM. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac complication of diabetes that currently lacks effective clinical treatments. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can protect cardiomyocytes from diabetic damage, but insufficient cardiac drug delivery limits the application of FGF21 in DCM. In this study, perfluoropropane (C3F8) and polyethylenimine (PEI)-doped poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobubbles loaded with FGF21 ([email protected]) were developed for the prophylactic treatment of DCM. [email protected] could effectively deliver the FGF21 to the myocardial tissue through the cavitation effect of low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS). Our results indicated that [email protected] combined with LFUS could significantly down-regulate the expressions of ANP, CTGF, and caspase-3 mRNA, and as a result, it prevented the myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis of DCM mice. Overall, we established an effective protein delivery nanocarrier for the diagnosis and prophylactic treatment of DCM.