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Shardool Jain

Shardool Jain Receives Two Prestigious Awards at the 2010 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) National Meeting

Shardool Jain, a doctoral candidate in Pharmaceutical Science with specialization in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, received two awards at the 2010 AAPS National meeting held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Shardool received the Graduate Symposium Award in Biotechnology and the American Association of Indian Pharmaceutical Scientists Student Scholarship.

Working in the laboratory of Distinguished Professor and Chair Mansoor Amiji, Shardool’s thesis research focuses on "Macrophage-Targeted Alginate-Based Non-Viral Gene Delivery System for Local and Systemic Anti-Inflammatory Gene Therapy" The major objective of the dissertation project is to develop macrophage-targeted alginate nanoparticles as a non-condensing gene delivery systems for the treatment of experimental arthritis in male Lewis rats. The concept of developing such a system is based on the central role of macrophages in inflammation, and particularly in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The main function of macrophages is to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-a and IL-B Additionally, macrophages are capable of sustaining processes such as angiogenesis and are also involved in the remodeling of the local tissue by secreting various enzymes. All these events lead to erosion of joint space, pannus formation, cartilage and bone destruction, which are common manifestations of RA. Therefore, gene delivery to macrophages is considered as a rational approach for anti-inflammatory therapy in RA.

The system utilized to make nanoparticles was based on a non-condensing approach that focuses on physical encapsulation of the plasmid DNA rather than electrostatic complexation with the delivery system. Furthermore, the surface of the nanoparticles was modified with tuftsin peptide to target macrophages. Preliminary studies carried out so far indicate that tuftsin-modified nanoparticles are capable of selectively targeting macrophages and promoting efficient gene transfection and sustained IL-10 production for a period of up to 4 days. Additionally, the therapeutic benefit of the transfected IL-10 in blocking secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-B and IL-1B was also demonstrated in an in-vitro experiment. The next aim in this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of this nanoparticle system in an adjuvant-based arthritis model established in male Lewis rats. The results of this study will provide essential preliminary evidence for safe and effective non-viral gene delivery strategy targeting macrophages for effective treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as RA.