N-acetylneuraminic acid and chondroitin sulfate modified nanomicelles with ROS-sensitive H2S donor via targeting E-selectin receptor and CD44 receptor for the efficient therapy of atherosclerosis

Current targeting strategies and advanced nanoplatforms for atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and it is closely related to many cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, myocardial infraction and angina. Although traditional surgical and pharmacological interventions can effectively retard or slow down the progression of atherosclerosis, it is very difficult to prevent or even reverse this disease. In recent years, with the rapid development of nanotechnology, various nanoagents have been designed and applied to different diseases including atherosclerosis. The unique atherosclerotic microenvironment with signature biological components allows nanoplatforms to distinguish atherosclerotic lesions from normal tissue and to approach plaques specifically. Based on the process of atherosclerotic plaque formation, this review summarises the nanodrug delivery strategies for atherosclerotic therapy, trying to provide help for researchers to understand the existing atherosclerosis management approaches as well as challenges and to reasonably design anti-atherosclerotic nanoplatforms.

Advances in the treatment of atherosclerosis with ligand-modified nanocarriers

Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease associated with metabolism, poses a significant risk to human well-being. Currently, existing treatments for atherosclerosis lack sufficient efficiency, while the utilization of surface-modified nanoparticles holds the potential to deliver highly effective therapeutic outcomes. These nanoparticles can target and bind to specific receptors that are abnormally over-expressed in atherosclerotic conditions. This paper reviews recent research (2018-present) advances in various ligand-modified nanoparticle systems targeting atherosclerosis by specifically targeting signature molecules in the hope of precise treatment at the molecular level and concludes with a discussion of the challenges and prospects in this field. The intention of this review is to inspire novel concepts for the design and advancement of targeted nanomedicines tailored specifically for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Harnessing anti-inflammatory pathways and macrophage nano delivery to treat inflammatory and fibrotic disorders

Targeting specific organs and cell types using nanotechnology and sophisticated delivery methods has been at the forefront of applicative biomedical sciences lately. Macrophages are an appealing target for immunomodulation by nanodelivery as they are heavily involved in various aspects of many diseases and are highly plastic in their nature. Their continuum of functional "polarization" states has been a research focus for many years yielding a profound understanding of various aspects of these cells. The ability of monocyte-derived macrophages to metamorphose from pro-inflammatory to reparative and consequently to pro-resolving effectors has raised significant interest in its therapeutic potential. Here, we briefly survey macrophages' ontogeny and various polarization phenotypes, highlighting their function in the inflammation-resolution shift. We review their inducing mediators, signaling pathways, and biological programs with emphasis on the nucleic acid sensing-IFN-I axis. We also portray the polarization spectrum of macrophages and the characteristics of their transition between different subtypes. Finally, we highlighted different current drug delivery methods for targeting macrophages with emphasis on nanotargeting that might lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of wound healing, bone regeneration, autoimmune, and fibrotic diseases.

Chondroitin Sulphate: An emerging therapeutic multidimensional proteoglycan in colon cancer

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) that has captured massive attention in the field of drug delivery. As the colon is considered the preferred site for local and systemic delivery of bioactive agents for the treatment of various diseases, colon-targeted drug delivery rose to the surface of research. Amid several tactics to attain colon-targeted drug release, the exploitation of polymers degraded by colonic bacteria holds great promise. Chondroitin sulfate as a biodegradable, biocompatible mucopolysaccharide is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-oxidant, and anti-coagulant effects. Besides these therapeutic functions, CS thrived to play a major role in nanocarriers as a matrix material, coat, and targeting ligand. This review focuses on the role of CS in nanocarriers as a matrix material or as a targeting moiety for colon cancer therapy, relating the present applications to future perspectives.

Multifunctional nanoparticles with anti-inflammatory effect for improving metabolic syndromes

Metabolic syndromes are a group of metabolic disorders for which the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. An increasing number of studies have implicated metabolic syndrome in the association with inflammation. Currently, lipsomes is known to improve nanoparticle hydrophobicity. Meanwhile, in drug delivery systems the application of cholesterol, which is commonly used to stabilise liposomal structures, has essentially no pharmacological effect on liposomes. Herein, we developed an 'anti-inflammatory liposome' (Phy-Lip) to effectively handle these challenges via employing Phytosterol instead of cholesterol. Different with the conventional liposomes, Phy-Lip is a much more brilliant nanoparticle with anti-inflammatory functions. In Phy-Lip, cholesterol was substituted by Phy, which works as membrane stabiliser, anti-inflammatory adjuvant at the same time. The experimental results show that Phy-Lip has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, and improves Metabolic syndromes. This study aims to provide a way to solve the challenge.

Advances in imaging and treatment of atherosclerosis based on organic nanoparticles

Atherosclerosis, a systemic chronic inflammatory disease, can lead to thrombosis and vascular occlusion, thereby inducing a series of serious vascular diseases. Currently, distinguishing unstable plaques early and achieving more effective treatment are the two main clinical concerns in atherosclerosis. Organic nanoparticles have great potential in atherosclerotic imaging and treatment, showing superior biocompatibility, drug-loading capacity, and synthesis. This article illustrates the process of atherosclerosis onset and the key targeted cells, then systematically summarizes recent progress made in organic nanoparticle-based imaging of different types of targeted cells and therapeutic methods for atherosclerosis, including optical and acoustic-induced therapy, drug delivery, gene therapy, and immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss the major impediments that need to be addressed in future clinical practice. We believe this article will help readers to develop a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of organic nanoparticle-based atherosclerotic imaging and treatment, thus advancing further development of anti-atherosclerosis therapies.

CD44 Receptor-Targeted and Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive H2S Donor Micelles Based on Hyaluronic Acid for the Therapy of Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

For the therapy attenuating renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, a novel drug delivery system was urgently needed, which could precisely deliver drugs to the pathological renal tissue. Here, we have prepared new nanomaterials with a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) donor and hyaluronic acid that targets CD44 receptor. The novel material was synthesized and characterized via related experiments. Then, rapamycin was loaded, which inhibited kidney damage. In the in vitro study, we found that the micelles had ROS-responsiveness, biocompatibility, and cell penetration. In addition, the experimental results showed that the intracellular H₂S concentration after administration was threefold higher than that of the control group. The western blot assay revealed that they have anti-inflammatory effects via H₂S donor blocking the NF-κB signaling pathway. Consequently, the rising CD44 receptor-targeting and ROS-sensitive H₂S donor micelles would provide a promising way for renal IR injury. This work provides a strategy for improving ischemia/reperfusion injury for pharmaceuticals.

ROS responsive nanoparticles loaded with lipid-specific AIEgen for atherosclerosis-targeted diagnosis and bifunctional therapy

Atherosclerosis, which is triggered by endothelial damage, progressive local inflammation and excessive lipid accumulation, is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases in recent years. Drug delivery systems have shown great potential for the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of early atherosclerosis, but are accompanied by disadvantages such as poor stability, lack of active targeting and non-specific recognition capabilities, which still need to be further developed. In our work, a multifunctional nanoparticle (LFP/PCDPD) with reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive drug release, lipid removal, and lipid-specific AIE fluorescence imaging was constructed. Cyclodextrin structure with lipid removal function and PMEMA blocks with ROS-response-mediated hydrophobic to hydrophilic conversion were simultaneously introduced into the structure of LFP/PCDPD to load the anti-inflammatory drug prednisolone (Pred) and lipid-specific AIEgen (LFP). The active targeting function of LFP/PCDPD was conferred by the high affinity of dextran to the vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and CD44 receptor on the surface of broken endothelial cells. After intravenous injection into ApoE^-/- mice, LFP/PCDPD actively enriched in the microenvironment of local ROS overexpression and rich lipids in atherosclerosis. Pred and LFP were released while lipids were removed, thus enabling proactive targeting of atherosclerosis and efficient "two-pronged" treatment.