Accelerated Blood Clearance Phenomenon Upon Repeated Injection of PEG-modified PLA-nanoparticles

Purpose

We recently developed prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁)-encapsulated nanoparticles, prepared with a poly(lactide) homopolymer (PLA, Mw?=?17,500) and monomethoxy poly(ethyleneglycol)-PLA block copolymer (PEG-PLA) (NP-L20). In this study, we tested whether the accelerated blood clearance (ABC) phenomenon is observed with NP-L20 and other PEG-modified PLA-nanoparticles in rats.

Methods

The plasma levels of PGE₁ and anti-PEG IgM antibody were determined by EIA and ELISA, respectively.

Results

Second injections of NP-L20 were cleared much more rapidly from the circulation than first injections, showing that the ABC phenomenon was induced. This ABC phenomenon, and the accompanying induction of anti-PEG IgM antibody production, was optimal at a time interval of 7 days between the first and second injections. Compared to NP-L20, NP-L33s that were prepared with PLA (Mw?=?28,100) and have a smaller particle size induced production of anti-PEG IgM antibody to a lesser extent. NP-L20 but not NP-L33s gave rise to the ABC phenomenon with a time interval of 14 days. NP-L33s showed a better sustained-release profile of PGE₁ than NP-L20.

Conclusions

This study revealed that the ABC phenomenon is induced by PEG-modified PLA-nanoparticles. We consider that NP-L33s may be useful clinically for the sustained-release and targeted delivery of PGE₁.