[Hinews] SEOUL, South Korea — A research team from the University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center, led by Professor Jun-O Jin, has developed a novel nanoparticle that selectively targets immune cells, offering a promising new approach to asthma treatment with reduced side effects. The findings were published in ACS Nano, a leading nanoscience journal with an impact factor of 16.0.

The hybrid nanoparticle, dubbed DM-HNP, is loaded with the corticosteroid dexamethasone and engineered to bind exclusively to dendritic cells and macrophages. Its surface incorporates MPLA, a molecule that targets the TLR4 receptor, which drives inflammatory responses, ensuring precise delivery of the drug to these immune cells.

In experiments with mice induced with allergic asthma, administering DM-HNP for three days markedly reduced lung inflammation and restored immune balance. The treatment prompted dendritic cells to differentiate into tolerogenic cells that suppress inflammation, while macrophages shifted to the M2 phenotype, promoting tissue repair. Regulatory T cells, critical for immune regulation, also increased significantly.

Photo : (From left) Professor Jun-O Jin, Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center; Dr. Eun-Kyung Ahn
Photo : (From left) Professor Jun-O Jin, Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center; Dr. Eun-Kyung Ahn


Conventional corticosteroid therapies for asthma often suppress the entire immune system, leading to significant side effects with long-term use. In contrast, DM-HNP targets only specific immune cells, preserving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects, according to the researchers.
The team also demonstrated the nanoparticle’s preventive potential. When administered during the early stages of asthma induction, DM-HNP suppressed lung inflammation and maintained tissue stability.

“This research introduces a precision immunotherapy targeting specific immune cells,” said Professor Jin. “We anticipate its potential for treating not only asthma but also autoimmune diseases, atopic dermatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.”

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