Work

Mitigation of radiation-induced esophageal fibrosis by macrophage-targeted phosphatidylserine-containing liposomes with partial PEGylation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is a major complication following radiotherapy treatment. Macrophages are the key regulators of inflammatory responses and have emerged as critical targets for the prevention of fibrosis. This study evaluated the efficacy of PEGylated phosphatidylserine-containing liposomes (PEG-PSLs) in mitigating RIF by modulating macrophage activity. PEG-PSLs influenced the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), reducing the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis-associated markers. These effects were observed within a specific PEGylation range, with the greatest reduction achieved at 1-1.5mol% PEG. Analysis of the IL-4-induced JAK-STAT signaling pathway indicated that the PEG-PSL-mediated suppression occurred at or beyond the point of JAK-1 phosphorylation. In in vitro fibrosis assays, PEG-PSLs reduced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions when co-cultured with BMDMs. In vivo studies using a rat model of esophageal irradiation demonstrated that PEG-PSLs effectively attenuated fibrotic progression, preserved tissue architecture, and enhanced muscle regeneration. These findings indicate the potential of partially PEGylated phosphatidylserine liposomes as therapeutic agents for mitigating post-irradiation esophageal fibrosis.

Source: Bioactive Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.06.021

Authors: Gyeung Mi Seon, In Gul Kim, Sun Woo Um, Eun-Jae Chung, Hyeong-Cheol Yang

Institutions: Seoul National University, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Effects of Radiation Exposure

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,200