Inhibitory effects of hybrid liposomes on the growth of synoviocyte causing rheumatoid arthritis.

Inhibitory effects of HL-n composed of 95 mol% L-α-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholin (DMPC) and 5 mol% polyoxyethylenedodecylether (C(12)(EO)(n), n = 21, 23, or 25) on the growth of human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS-RA) in vitro were examined. Remarkably high inhibitory effects of HL-n on the growth of HFLS-RA cells were obtained. The induction of apoptosis by HL-n was revealed on the basis of TUNEL method. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of HL-23 using mouse models of arthritis were investigated. Therapeutic effects without joint swelling were obtained in mouse models of RA treated with HL.