Intra-articular delivery of an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase galectin-3 fusion protein for osteoarthritis treatment in male Lewis rats

Abstract Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is driven by low-grade inflammation, and controlling local inflammation may offer symptomatic relief. Here, we developed an indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and galectin-3 fusion protein (IDO-Gal3), where IDO increases the production of local anti-inflammatory metabolites and Gal3 binds carbohydrates to extend IDO’s joint residence time. In this study, we evaluated IDO-Gal3’s ability to alter OA-associated inflammation and pain-related behaviors in a rat model of established knee OA. Methods Joint residence was first evaluated with an analog Gal3 fusion protein (NanoLuc™ and Gal3, NL-Gal3) that produces luminescence from furimazine. OA was induced in male Lewis rats via a medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus transection (MCLT + MMT). At 8 weeks, NL or NL-Gal3 were injected intra-articularly ( n  = 8 per group), and bioluminescence was tracked for 4 weeks. Next, IDO-Gal3s’s ability to modulate OA pain and inflammation was assessed. Again, OA was induced via MCLT + MMT in male Lewis rats, with IDO-Gal3 or saline injected into OA-affected knees at 8 weeks post-surgery ( n  = 7 per group). Gait and tactile sensitivity were then assessed weekly. At 12 weeks, intra-articular levels of IL6, CCL2, and CTXII were assessed. Results The Gal3 fusion increased joint residence in OA and contralateral knees ( p  < 0.0001). In OA-affected animals, both saline and IDO-Gal3 improved tactile sensitivity ( p  = 0.008), but IDO-Gal3 also increased walking velocities ( p  ≤ 0.033) and improved vertical ground reaction forces ( p  ≤ 0.04). Finally, IDO-Gal3 decreased intra-articular IL6 levels within the OA-affected joint ( p  = 0.0025). Conclusion Intra-articular IDO-Gal3 delivery provided long-term modulation of joint inflammation and pain-related behaviors in rats with established OA.