biostudies-literatureUnknown11(24)Lee FAgency for Science, Technology and ResearchFibroblast-like synoviocytes are a key effector cell type involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The major green tea catechin, epigallocatechin-3-<i>O</i>-gallate (EGCG), has attracted significant interest for rheumatoid arthritis therapy because of its ability to suppress the proliferation and interleukin-6 secretion of synoviocytes. However, therapeutic efficacy of EGCG has been limited by a lack of target cell specificity. Herein we report hyaluronic acid-EGCG (HA-EGCG) conjugates as an anti-arthritic agent that is capable of targeting fibroblast-like synoviocytes <i>via</i> HA-CD44 interactions. These conjugates exhibited superior anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities compared with EGCG under simulated physiological conditions. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging revealed preferential accumulation of the conjugates at inflamed joints in a collagen-induced arthritis rat model, and their anti-arthritic efficacy was investigated by measuring a change in the edema and histopathological scores. Our findings suggest the potential of HA-EGCG conjugates as an anti-arthritic agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.RSC advances14285-14294https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8697692biostudies-literatureHyaluronic acid-green tea catechin conjugates as a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.PMC8697692Bae KHNg SYamashita ALee FKurisawa MfalseHyaluronic acid-green tea catechin conjugates as a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.Fibroblast-like synoviocytes are a key effector cell type involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. The major green tea catechin, epigallocatechin-3-<i>O</i>-gallate (EGCG), has attracted significant interest for rheumatoid arthritis therapy because of its ability to suppress the proliferation and interleukin-6 secretion of synoviocytes. However, therapeutic efficacy of EGCG has been limited by a lack of target cell specificity. Herein we report hyaluronic acid-EGCG (HA-EGCG) conjugates as an anti-arthritic agent that is capable of targeting fibroblast-like synoviocytes <i>via</i> HA-CD44 interactions. These conjugates exhibited superior anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activities compared with EGCG under simulated physiological conditions. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging revealed preferential accumulation of the conjugates at inflamed joints in a collagen-induced arthritis rat model, and their anti-arthritic efficacy was investigated by measuring a change in the edema and histopathological scores. Our findings suggest the potential of HA-EGCG conjugates as an anti-arthritic agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Apr2025-04-05T13:07:59.54Z2025-04-05T13:07:59.54ZS-EPMC86976923542399810.1039/d1ra01491a