Targeted Delivery of CD34 Aptamer-Coupled Tocilizumab Microspheres for Effective Treatment of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Purpose Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is a debilitating autoimmune disorder linked to Graves' disease (GD) that is characterized by inflammation and remodeling of orbital tissues. This study focuses on the use of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-based microspheres (MS) coupled with CD34-specific aptamers to enhance the targeted delivery of Tocilizumab (Toc), an IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, to CD34+ orbital fibroblasts, which is a critical cell type implicated in TAO. Methods The flow cytometry and aptamer-mediated pull-down assays were applied to detect the affinity of CD34 aptamers (Apts) for CD34+ orbital fibroblasts. The CD34 Apt-modified Toc-loaded MS (Toc-MS-CD34 Apt) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and agarose gel electrophoresis. The CCK-8 assay kit was used to examine cell viability. The EdU assay was used to assess cell proliferation. The scratch wound healing assay was applied to detect cell migration. Results The affinity of CD34 aptamers for CD34+ orbital fibroblasts was confirmed, demonstrating high specificity and binding strength. The Toc-MS-CD34 Apt exhibited size uniformity and successful aptamer conjugation. In vitro, studies showed that Toc-MS-CD34 Apt effectively inhibited the viability, proliferation and cell activation, ext

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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