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. 2025 Feb 12;15(1):107-122.
doi: 10.34172/apb.43295. eCollection 2025 Apr.

Targeted Delivery of Bortezomib Using Retinoid-Based Nanoparticle: Modulating Liver Fibrosis through the TGF-β1/Smad3 Pathway

Samaneh Siapoush  1   2 , Mohammad Rahmati  1   3 , Morteza Milani  1   4 , Behzad Hatami  5 , Nosratollah Zarghami  1   3   6 , Abbas Ebrahimi-Kalan  7 , Mohammad Reza Zali  5 , Kaveh Baghaei  2   5
Affiliations

Targeted Delivery of Bortezomib Using Retinoid-Based Nanoparticle: Modulating Liver Fibrosis through the TGF-β1/Smad3 Pathway

Samaneh Siapoush et al. Adv Pharm Bull. .

Abstract

Purpose: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in fibrosis progression. we have developed a targeted delivery approach using A-functionalized nanoparticles for bortezomib (BTZ) specifically for activated HSCs in a mouse model of liver fibrosis.

Methods: The emulsion solvent evaporation method was used to form nanoparticles (NPs) targeted with vitamin A. The characterization of NPs was approved with Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also, the biodistribution of NPs inside mice bodies was conducted via fluorescent drug. the cytotoxicity of NPs evaluated in different dose in vitro test. Compared to control groups, a serological evaluation, molecular examination and protein expression were performed based on BTZ's impact on fibrotic index on model mice after treatment with targeted NPs loaded with BTZ.

Results: Characterization of synthesized targeted NPs containing BTZ through DLS, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-IR showed that the size of NPs was optimum and drug was entrapped inside of NPs successfully. Biodistribution of engineered targeted nanoparticles incorporating BTZ in mice showed a gradual tendency of NPs in the liver zone. Moreover, mice treated with vitamin A-targeted containing BTZ showed decreased expression of collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA; also, the level of expression in TGF-β1/Smad3 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) genes suppressed in mice treated with NPs entrapped BTZ. In line with these results, histopathologic and serological results showed significant exacerbation in non-target and drug-free nanoparticle-treated mice. The best result was seen in mice treated with targeted BTZ.

Conclusion: BTZ, in low amounts entrapped in targeted NPc, could ameliorate the fibrotic index in mice models.

Keywords: Bortezomib; Liver fibrosis; Nanoparticles; Proteasome inhibitor; TGF-β1.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

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