Targeting Atherosclerosis

Targeted delivery systems have been indicated possessing great advantages such as prolonged circulation time, enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, active targeting, and reduced side effects, which are widely used in disease diagnosis and treatment. Creative Biolabs offers atherosclerosis-targeted delivery services for our clients all over the world. With combined expertise in protein engineering, immunology, and molecular biology, our scientific team can help you with every step of the development process, from design to validation.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease due to the builds up of plaque in the artery narrows, and plaque is composed of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the blood. Originally, there are no significant symptoms. Once severe, it can lead to serious problems, including coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney problems, relying on which arteries are affected. Symptoms, if they occur, commonly do not happen until middle age. To date, the exact cause of atherosclerosis is under investigation, but which may attribute to some risk factors including abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history, and an unhealthy diet. The narrowing of arteries restrains the flow of oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body. Generally, diagnosis of atherosclerosis is based upon a physical exam, electrocardiogram, and exercise stress test, among others. Treatment of atherosclerosis may include medications to lower cholesterol, blood pressure medication, or medications that decrease clotting. Various procedures may also be performed such as percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid endarterectomy.

Fig.1 Atherosclerosis initiation and progression process.¹

Delivery System Targeting Atherosclerosis

Nowadays, targeted delivery of nanoparticles to vascular endothelial cells or the vascular wall presents an effective approach for early detection and/or treatment of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis and cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Clinical applications of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers such as vascular graft, implantable drug delivery, stent devices and tissue engineering scaffolds have improved the candidature of polymers as potential nano-carriers for vascular-targeted delivery of diagnostic agents and drugs.

Fig.2 The possible influence of micro- and nanoplastics on the vascular system.²

Specific homing agents such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), smaller mAb fragments, aptamers (Aps), peptides and low molecular weight compounds, are chemically linked to the surface of the nanoparticles (NPs). Currently, some of the valuable targets for the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) include platelet/endothelial cell (EC) adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs), vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1).

For example, an endotheliumdirected cyclopentenone (CP)-prostaglandins (PG)-based liposome (EDCPL) formulations named as LipoCardium has been developed to evaluate its effects on the anti-inflammation process and atherosclerosis. Study results showed that the negatively charged liposomes containing anti-VCAM-1 antibodies and PGA2 showed significant anti-inflammatory effects on the injured arterial wall cells of atherosclerotic mice.

In other studies, a targeted polymeric nanoparticles has been developed that containing anti-proliferative agents (such as paclitaxel or fumagillin) with nano-carriers' surfaces modified with gadoliniumdiethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) and fibrin ligands to target atherosclerotic plaques. Results demonstrated that the method was effective in the prevention and regression of atherosclerotic plaques compared with plaques treated with only Gd-DTPA or fumagillin alone. Iron oxide nanoparticles and paclitaxel entrapped within polylactide nanoparticles present a better diagnosis and sustained-release of anti-proliferative to a pathological carotid artery site in animal model.

What Can We Do for You?

Along with years of experience in the targeted delivery system design and development, Creative Biolabs has successfully finished lots of module delivery systems. Currently, we provide high-quality targeted delivery services for atherosclerosis. We are confident in offering the customized proposal to meet your specific needs. If you are interested in our service, please do not hesitate to contact us for more details.

References

1. Nakhlband, Ailar, et al. "Combating atherosclerosis with targeted nanomedicines: recent advances and future prospective." BioImpacts: BI 8.1 (2018): 59.
2. Lee, Seung Eun, et al. "An Emerging Role of Micro-and Nanoplastics in Vascular Diseases." Life 14.2 (2024): 255.

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