Effect of Cholesterol on the Properties of Spray-Dried Lysozyme-Loaded Liposomal Powders

The influence of cholesterol (Chol) in the liposomal bilayer on the properties of inhalable protein-loaded liposomal powders prepared by spray-drying technique was investigated. Lysozyme (LSZ) was used as a model protein. Feed solution for spray drying was prepared by direct mixing of aqueous solution of LSZ with mannitol solution and empty liposome dispersions composed of hydrogenated phosphatidylcholine and Chol at various molar ratios. The spray-dried powders were characterized with respect to morphology, thermal property, and crystallinity using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Most formulations gave slightly aggregated, spherical particles, and percentage yields of the spray-dried powders decreased with increasing Chol content. Degree of particle aggregation depended on the powder composition. The powders spontaneously formed liposomes which efficiently entrapped LSZ after reconstitution with HEPES buffered saline (HBS) at 37°C. Lysozyme entrapment efficiency and size distribution of the reconstituted liposomes were evaluated after the powders were reconstituted with HBS. Increasing Chol content resulted in a decrease in size of the reconstituted liposomes and an increase in entrapment efficiency of LSZ. These results correlated with thermal behaviors of the reconstituted liposomes. Biological activity of LSZ was not affected by the spray-drying process. It was also demonstrated that LSZ-loaded liposomal powders could be produced without the need to preload the LSZ into liposomes prior to spray-drying process

The Src family kinase LCK cooperates with oncogenic FLT3/ITD in cellular transformation

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase LCK belongs to the SRC family of kinases. SRC family kinases are proto-oncogenes that have long been known to play key roles in cell proliferation, motility, morphology and survival. Here we show that LCK regulates the function of the type III receptor tyrosine kinase FLT3 in murine pro-B cells. We observed that expression of LCK significantly enhances the colony forming capacity of the constitutively active FLT3 mutant FLT3-ITD (internal tandem duplication). Furthermore, cells expressing LCK developed tumor earlier compared to cells transfected with empty control vector. Staining of the tissues from mouse xenografts showed higher Ki67 staining in cells expressing LCK suggesting that expression of LCK enhances the FLT3-ITD-mediated proliferative capacity. LCK expression did not affect either FLT3-WT or FLT3-ITD-induced AKT, ERK1/2 or p38 phosphorylation. However, LCK expression significantly enhanced FLT3-ITD-mediated STAT5 phosphorylation. Taken together, our data suggest that LCK cooperates with oncogenic FLT3-ITD in cellular transformation

Nanomiemgel - A Novel Drug Delivery System for Topical Application - In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Aim: The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate a unique matrix mixture (nanomiemgel) of nanomicelle and nanoemulsion containing aceclofenac and capsaicin using in vitro and in vivo analyses and to compare it to a marketed formulation (Aceproxyvon). Methods: Nanomicelles were prepared using Vitamin E TPGS by solvent evaporation method and nanoemulsion was prepared by high-pressure homogenization method. In vitro drug release and human skin permeation studies were performed and analyzed using HPLC. The efficiency of nanomiemgel as a delivery system was investigated using an imiquimod-induced psoriatic like plaque model developed in C57BL/6 mice. Results: Atomic Force Microscopy images of the samples exhibited a globular morphology with an average diameter of 200, 250 and 220 nm for NMI, NEM and NMG, respectively. Nanomiemgel demonstrated a controlled release drug pattern and induced 2.02 and 1.97-fold more permeation of aceclofenac and capsaicin, respectively than Aceproxyvon through dermatomed human skin. Nanomiemgel also showed 2.94 and 2.09-fold greater Cmax of aceclofenac and capsaicin, respectively than Aceproxyvon in skin microdialysis study in rats. The PASI score, ear thickness and spleen weight of the imiquimod-induced psoriatic-like plaque model were significantly (p,0.05) reduced in NMG treated mice compared to free drug, NEM, NMI & Aceproxyvon. Conclusion: Using a new combination of two different drug delivery systems (NEM+NMI), the absorption of the combined system (NMG) was found to be better than either of the individual drug delivery systems due to the utilization of the maximum possible paths of absorption available for that particular drug