We have discovered that worm-like polymer micelles are selectively taken up into the inflamed mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Selected modifications of the surface of these nanoparticles (e.g., by introduction of charges or targeting ligands) are expected to increase the uptake rate and enable an effective transport of anti-inflammatory drugs to local macrophages as main pro-inflammatory cells. This concept will be tested ex vivo on human macrobiopsies and in an advanced gut-on-a-chip model.
Dr. Johannes C. Brendel
Advanced Polymer Synthesis Group (APG)
Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM)
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Philosophenweg 7
07743 Jena
Phone: +49 3641 9-48989
johannes.brendel@uni-jena.de
PD Dr. Alexander S. Mosig
Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC)
University Hospital Jena (UKJ)
Institute of Biochemistry II
Am Klinikum 1
07747 Jena
Phone: +49 3641 9 390 910
alexander.mosig@med.uni-jena.de
Valentin Wegner
Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC)
University Hospital Jena (UKJ)
Institute of Biochemistry II
Am Klinikum 1
07747 Jena
Phone: +49 3641 9 390 924
valentin.wegner@uni-jena.de
Elena Gardey
Clinic of Internal Medicine IV
University Hospital Jena
Am Klinikum 1
07740 Jena
Phone: +49 3641 9-324404
elena.gardey@med.uni-jena.de