Magnetic apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

Provided herein is a magnetic apparatus for collecting superparamagnetic particles from a subject. The superparamagnetic particles are previously injected into the subject and have ligands bound thereto that are specific for one or more non-cell biomarkers. In one embodiment, the superparamagnetic particles are injected into and retrieved from a cavity such as a joint cavity. These compositions and methods allow for the sequestration and removal of inflammatory mediators, as both a diagnostic of the local immune response and a therapeutic that can reduce inflammation in the local disease environment.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 683,267 filed Aug. 15, 2012.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]This invention was made with Government support under Contract No.: R00AR057426 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in this invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In damaged tissues, inflammatory mediators (such as cytokines or proteolytic enzymes) are up-regulated. These mediators are part of the wound healing response, but if up-regulated chronically, these mediators can cause a chronic inflammation that contributes to joint destruction. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent disease in developed countries, affecting 27 million people in the U.S. (Lawrence R C, et al. (2008) Arthritis Rheum 58:26-35; Helmick C G, et al. (2008) Arthritis Rheum 58:15-25) and resulting in annual U.S. health care expe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent provides a solution to problems in the prior art by using magnetic micro / nanoparticle-based compositions and assays that do not require removal of synovial fluid. The disclosed methods also allow for the removal of small particles with magnetic properties from areas that are hard to access. The particles can be functionalized with ligands specific for inflammatory mediators and can be collected from the site of inflammation without extracting synovial fluid. This technology has applications in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis.

Problems solved by technology

These mediators are part of the wound healing response, but if up-regulated chronically, these mediators can cause a chronic inflammation that contributes to joint destruction.

There is a critical lack of disease modifying OA drugs (DMOAD), due in part to an inability to clinically detect early stage OA.

Though promising biomarkers in urine and serum have been identified through the OA Biomarkers Global Initiative, biochemical changes detectable in the urine or serum are not specific to an affected joint, are dilute relative to levels within the affected joint, and may not be detectable at the earliest stages of OA.

Harvesting biomarkers from the synovial fluid of the knee joint has proven to be challenging.

In particular, removal of synovial fluid is difficult because it is an incredibly viscous fluid that usually requires a large needle for its removal.

Use of a large needle is difficult in intermediate joints and impossible in smaller joints such as the metacarpalphalanges and facet joints.

Removal of synovial fluid from large joints such as the knee or hip, while easier, is still problematic due to a fairly high rate of “dry taps” or inability to remove fluid from those joints.

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