Cationic CaMKII Inhibiting Nanoparticles Prevent Allergic Asthma

Asthma is a common lung disease affecting over 300 million people worldwide and is associated with increased reactive oxygen species, eosinophilic airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus production. Targeting of novel therapeutic agents to the lungs of patients with asthma may improve efficacy of treatments and minimize side effects. We previously demonstrated that Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII) is expressed and activated in the bronchial epithelium of asthmatic patients. CaMKII inhibition in murine models of allergic asthma reduces key disease phenotypes, providing the rationale for targeted CaMKII inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach for asthma. Herein we developed a novel cationic nanoparticle (NP)-based system for delivery of the potent and specific CaMKII inhibitor peptide, CaMKIIN, to airways.1 CaMKIIN-loaded NPs abrogated the severity of allergic asthma in a murine model. These findings provide the basis for development of innovative, site-specific drug delivery therapies, particularly for treatment of pulmonary diseases such as asthma.