Modified immune-modulating particles

Abstract

The current invention involves the surprising finding that when carboxylated particles, such as carboxylated poly-styrene, PLGA, or diamond particles are administered to subjects, inflammatory immune responses are ameliorated. Additionally, the present invention describes methods of treating inflammatory diseases by administering these same carboxylated particles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising particles having a negative surface charge, wherein the particles comprise polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and a polyamino acid having a carboxyl group on the side chain. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polyamino acid having a carboxyl group on the side chain is poly(aspartic acid) or poly(glutamic acid). 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the polyamino acid having a carboxyl group on the side chain is poly(gamma-glutamic acid), poly(L-glutamic acid), poly(D-glutamic acid), or poly(D,L-glutamic acid). 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are microparticles or nanoparticles. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the PLGA has a molecular weight of 1,000 Da to 100,000 Da. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles have been modified to comprise one or more carboxyl groups on the particle's surface. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles an average diameter of about 0.1 μm to about 10 μm. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the particles an average diameter of about 0.2 μm to about 2 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are selected from the group consisting of preservatives, antioxidants, moisturizers, emollients, buffering agents, solubilizing agents, penetration agents, skin protectants, surfactants, and propellants. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein one of the one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients is a surfactant. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, polysorbate, poloxamers, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinylpyyrolidinone. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition does not comprise an active agent. 
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising particles having negative surface charges, wherein the particles comprise polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) and a polyamino acid having a carboxyl group on the side chain group, made by an emulsion process. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the polyamino acid having a carboxyl group on the side chain is poly(aspartic acid) or poly(glutamic acid). 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the polyamino acid having a carboxyl group on the side chain is poly(gamma-glutamic acid), poly(L-glutamic acid), poly(D-glutamic acid), or poly(D,L-glutamic acid).