Factors Influencing the Immunogenicity and Immunotoxicity of Cyclic RGD Peptide-Modified Nanodrug Delivery Systems

c(RGDyK)-modified liposomes have been shown to be immunogenic and potentially trigger acute systemic anaphylaxis upon repeated intravenous injection in both BALB/c nude mice and ICR mice. However, questions concerning the potential influence of mouse strains, immunization routes, drug carrier properties, and changes in c(RGDyK) itself on the immunogenicity and resultant immunotoxicity (anaphylaxis) of cyclic RGD peptide-modified nanodrug delivery systems remain unanswered. Here, these potential impact factors were investigated, aiming to better understand the immunological properties of cyclic RGD peptide-based nanodrug delivery systems and seek for solutions for this immunogenicity-associated issue. It was revealed that anaphylaxis caused by intravenous c(RGDyK)-modified drug delivery systems might be avoided by altering the preimmunization route (i.e., subcutaneous injection), introducing positively charged lipids into the liposomes and by using micelles or red blood cell membrane (RBC)-based drug delivery systems as the carrier. Different murine models showed different incidences of anaphylaxis following intravenous c(RGDyK)-liposome stimulation: anaphylaxis was not observed in both SD rats and BALB/c mice and was less frequent in C57BL/6 mice than that in ICR mice. In addition, enlarging the peptide ring of c(RGDyK) by introducing amino sequence serine-glycine-serine reduced the incidence of anaphylaxis post the repeated intravenous c(RGDyKSGS)-liposome stimulation. However, immunogenicity of cyclic RGD-modified drug carriers could not be reversed, although some reduction in IgG antibody production was observed when ICR mice were intravenously stimulated with c(RGDyK)-modified micelles, RBC membrane-based drug delivery systems and c(RGDyKSGS)-liposomes instead of c(RGDyK)-liposomes. This study provides a valuable reference for future application of cyclic RGD peptide-modified drug delivery systems.