Lipidated Methotrexate Microbubbles: A Promising Rheumatoid Arthritis Theranostic Medicine Manipulated Via Ultrasonic Irradiation

De novo designed lipidated methotrexate was synthesized and self-assembled into microbubbles for targeted rheumatoid arthritis theranostic treatment. Controlled lipidated methotrexate delivery was achieved by ultrasound-targeted microbubble IP: 14.98.160 66 On: Mon, 30 Aug 2021 11:00:03 C pyight Ameri S i tifi P bli h destruction technique. Methotrexate was dissociated inflammatory microenvironment of synovial cavity, owing to repreDe ivered by Ingenta sentive low pH and enriched leucocyte esterase. We first manipulated methotrexate controlled release with RAW 264.7 cell line in vitro and further verified with rheumatoid arthritis rabbits in vivo. Results showed that lipidated methotrexate microbubbles precisely affected infection focus and significantly enhanced rheumatoid arthritis curative effect comparing with dissociative methotrexate. This study indicates that lipidated methotrexate microbubbles might be considered as a promising rheumatoid arthritis theranostics medicine.