Synthetic high-density lipoprotein-like nanoparticles potently inhibit cell signaling and production of inflammatory mediators induced by lipopolysaccharide binding Toll-like receptor 4

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a critical role in the innate immune system. Stimulation of TLR4 occurs upon binding lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls. Due to the potency of the induced inflammatory response, there is a growing interest in agents that can most proximally modulate this LPS/TLR4 interaction to prevent downstream cell signaling events and the production of inflammatory mediators. Building on the natural ability of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to bind LPS, we synthesized a suite of HDL-like nanoparticles (HDL-like NP). We identified one HDL-like NP that was particularly effective at decreasing TLR4 signaling caused by addition of purified LPS or Gram-negative bacteria to model human cell lines or primary human peripheral blood cells. The HDL-like NP functioned to inhibit TLR4-dependent inflammatory response to LPS derived from multiple bacterial species. Mechanistically, data show that the NP mainly functions by scavenging and neutralizing the LPS toxin. Taken together, HDL-like NPs constitute a powerful endotoxin scavenger with the potential to significantly reduce LPS-mediated inflammation.