A versatile drug delivery system targeting senescent cells.


Type
Article
Change log
Authors
Muñoz-Espín, Daniel  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0550-9514
Galiana, Irene 
Giménez, Cristina 
Lozano-Torres, Beatriz 
Abstract

Senescent cells accumulate in multiple aging-associated diseases, and eliminating these cells has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. Here, we take advantage of the high lysosomal β-galactosidase activity of senescent cells to design a drug delivery system based on the encapsulation of drugs with galacto-oligosaccharides. We show that gal-encapsulated fluorophores are preferentially released within senescent cells in mice. In a model of chemotherapy-induced senescence, gal-encapsulated cytotoxic drugs target senescent tumor cells and improve tumor xenograft regression in combination with palbociclib. Moreover, in a model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, gal-encapsulated cytotoxics target senescent cells, reducing collagen deposition and restoring pulmonary function. Finally, gal-encapsulation reduces the toxic side effects of the cytotoxic drugs. Drug delivery into senescent cells opens new diagnostic and therapeutic applications for senescence-associated disorders.

Description
Keywords
chemotherapy, fibrosis, nanomedicine, palbociclib, senescence, Animals, Cell Survival, Cellular Senescence, Cytotoxins, Disease Models, Animal, Drug Compounding, Drug Delivery Systems, Fluorescent Dyes, Galactose, Heterografts, Lysosomes, Mice, Neoplasm Transplantation, Neoplasms, Oligosaccharides, Piperazines, Pyridines, Staining and Labeling, beta-Galactosidase
Journal Title
EMBO Mol Med
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
1757-4676
1757-4684
Volume Title
10
Publisher
EMBO
Sponsorship
Cancer Research UK (C96/A25177)