In vitro studies of heparin-coated magnetic nanoparticles for use in the treatment of neointimal hyperplasia

Controlled drug delivery from chitosan-coated heparin-loaded nanopores anodically grown on nitinol shape-memory alloy

Nitinol (NiTi shape-memory alloy) is an interesting candidate in various medical applications like dental, orthopedic, and cardiovascular devices, owing to its unique mechanical behaviors and proper biocompatibility. The aim of this work is the local controlled delivery of a cardiovascular drug, heparin, loaded onto nitinol treated by electrochemical anodizing and chitosan coating. In this regard, the structure, wettability, drug release kinetics, and cell cytocompatibility of the specimens were analyzed in vitro. The two-stage anodizing process successfully developed a regular nanoporous layer of Ni-Ti-O on nitinol, which considerably decreased the sessile water contact angle and induced hydrophilicity. The application of the chitosan coatings controlled the release of heparin mainly by a diffusional mechanism, where the drug release mechanisms were evaluated by the Higuchi, first-order, zero-order, and Korsmeyer-Pepass models. Human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs) viability assay also showed the non-cytotoxicity of the samples, so that the best performance was found for the chitosan-coated samples. It is concluded that the designed drug delivery systems are promising for cardiovascular, particularly stent applications.

Nanoparticles in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular aging and related diseases

Aging-induced alternations of vasculature structures, phenotypes, and functions are key in the occurrence and development of vascular aging-related diseases. Multiple molecular and cellular events, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, cellular senescence, and epigenetic alterations are highly associated with vascular aging physiopathology. Advances in nanoparticles and nanotechnology, which can realize sensitive diagnostic modalities, efficient medical treatment, and better prognosis as well as less adverse effects on non-target tissues, provide an amazing window in the field of vascular aging and related diseases. Throughout this review, we presented current knowledge on classification of nanoparticles and the relationship between vascular aging and related diseases. Importantly, we comprehensively summarized the potential of nanoparticles-based diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in vascular aging and related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, as well as chronic kidney diseases, and discussed the advantages and limitations of their clinical applications.

Long Non-Coding RNAs Might Regulate Phenotypic Switch of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Acting as ceRNA: Implications for In-Stent Restenosis

Coronary in-stent restenosis is a late complication of angioplasty. It is a multifactorial process that involves vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), endothelial cells, and inflammatory and genetic factors. In this study, the transcriptomic landscape of VSMCs’ phenotypic switch process was assessed under stimuli resembling stent injury. Co-cultured contractile VSMCs and endothelial cells were exposed to a bare metal stent and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) 20 ng/mL. Migratory capacity (wound healing assay), proliferative capacity, and cell cycle analysis of the VSMCs were performed. RNAseq analysis of contractile vs. proliferative VSMCs was performed. Gene differential expression (DE), identification of new long non-coding RNA candidates (lncRNAs), gene ontology (GO), and pathway enrichment (KEGG) were analyzed. A competing endogenous RNA network was constructed, and significant lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA axes were selected. VSMCs exposed to “stent injury” conditions showed morphologic changes, with proliferative and migratory capacities progressing from G0-G1 cell cycle phase to S and G2-M. RNAseq analysis showed DE of 1099, 509 and 64 differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNAs, respectively. GO analysis of DE genes showed significant enrichment in collagen and extracellular matrix organization, regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation, and collagen biosynthetic process. The main upregulated nodes in the lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network were PVT1 and HIF1-AS2, with downregulation of ACTA2-AS1 and MIR663AHG. The PVT1 ceRNA axis appears to be an attractive target for in-stent restenosis diagnosis and treatment.

Assessing the Biocompatibility of Multi-Anchored Glycoconjugate Functionalized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in a Normal Human Colon Cell Line CCD-18Co

We have previously demonstrated that iron oxide nanoparticles with dopamine-anchored heterobifunctional polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer, namely PEO-IONPs, and bio-functionalized with sialic-acid specific glycoconjugate moiety (Neu5Ac(α2-3)Gal(β1-4)-Glcβ-sp), namely GM3-IONPs, can be effectively used as antibacterial agents against target Escherichia coli. In this study, we evaluated the biocompatibility of PEO-IONPs and GM3-IONPs in a normal human colon cell line CCD-18Co via measuring cell proliferation, membrane integrity, and intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glutathione GSH, dihydrorhodamine (DHR) 123, and caspase 3/7 levels. PEO-IONPs caused a significant decrease in cell viability at concentrations above 100 μg/mL whereas GM3-IONPs did not cause a significant decrease in cell viability even at the highest dose of 500 μg/mL. The ATP synthase activity of CCD-18Co was significantly diminished in the presence of PEO-IONPs but not GM3-IONPs. PEO-IONPs also compromised the membrane integrity of CCD-18Co. In contrast, cells exposed to GM3-IONPs showed significantly different cell morphology, but with no apparent membrane damage. The interaction of PEO-IONPs or GM3-IONPs with CCD-18Co resulted in a substantial decrease in the intracellular GSH levels in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Conversely, levels of DHR-123 increased with IONP concentrations. Levels of caspase 3/7 proteins were found to be significantly elevated in cells exposed to PEO-IONPs. Based on the results, we assume GM3-IONPs to be biocompatible with CCD-18Co and could be further evaluated for selective killing of pathogens in vivo.

Identification of blood plasma proteins using heparin-coated magnetic chitosan particles

Heparin was immobilized on magnetic chitosan particles to be used as a tool for human plasma protein identification. Chitosan was magnetized by co-precipitation with Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ (MAG-CH). Heparin was functionalized with carbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide and covalently linked to MAG-CH (MAG-CH-hep). X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of chitosan and Fe₃O₄ in MAG-CH. This particle exhibited superparamagnetism and size between 100-300 μm. Human plasma diluted with 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) or 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5) was incubated with MAG-CH-hep, and the proteins fixed were eluted with the same buffers containing increasing concentrations of NaCl. The proteins obtained were investigated by SDS-PAGE, LC/MS, and biological activity tests (PT, aPTT, and enzymatic chromogenic assay). Inhibitors of the serpin family, prothrombin, and human albumin were identified in this study. Therefore, MAG-CH-hep can be used to purify these proteins and presents the following advantages: low-cost synthesis, magnetic separation, ion-exchange purification, and reusability.

Heparin/poly-l-lysine nanoplatform with growth factor delivery for surface modification of cardiovascular stents: The influence of vascular endothelial growth factor loading

The rapid re-endothelialization of the vascular stent surface is desirable for preventing thrombosis or reducing restenosis. Many biological factors that promote the biological behavior of endothelial cells have been used for the surface modification of stents. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which plays an important role in angiogenesis, induces strong vascular growth. In this study, we investigated different VEGF concentrations (50 to 500 ng/ml) to determine the optimum concentration for biocompatibility. First, VEGF-loaded heparin/poly-l-lysine (Hep-PLL) nanoparticles were created by electrostatic interactions. Then, the VEGF-loaded nanoparticles were immobilized on dopamine-coated 316 L stainless steel (SS) surfaces. The physical and chemical properties of the modified surface were characterized and the biocompatibility was evaluated in vitro. The results indicated that the VEGF-loaded nanoparticles were immobilized successfully on the 316LSS surface, as evidenced by the results of Alcian Blue staining and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The low platelet adhesion and activation indicated that the modified surfaces had good blood compatibility. The modified surfaces showed a good inhibitory effect on smooth muscle cells, indicating that they inhibited tissue hyperplasia. In addition, the modified surfaces significantly promoted endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and biological activity, especially VEGF concentration was 350 ng/ml (NPV350). The optical VEGF concentration of the surface modified Hep-PLL nanoparticles was 350 ng/ml. The proposed method shows promise for potential applications for cardiovascular devices.

COL6A1 knockdown suppresses cell proliferation and migration in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration is an important pathophysiological signature of neointimal hyperplasia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of collagen type VI α1 chain (COL6A1) on VSMC migration. COL6A1 expression was silenced in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB)-stimulated VSMCs. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing and Transwell assays were used to measure cell viability, migration and invasion, respectively. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis were performed to analyze the expression of factors associated with metastasis. COL6A1 silencing attenuated PDGF-BB-induced increases in cell viability and invasive abilities of VSMCs, in addition to partially reversing the increased expression of fibronectin (FN), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 induced by PDGF-BB stimulation. The silencing of COL6A also overturned PDGF-BB-induced reduction in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 expression in VSMCs. PDGF-BB activated the AKT/mTOR pathway, which was also inhibited by COL6A1 knockdown. Taken together, these findings suggest that COL6A1 silencing inhibited VSMC viability and migration by inhibiting AKT/mTOR activation.

Cardiovascular therapies utilizing targeted delivery of nanomedicines and aptamers

Cardiovascular ailments are the foremost trigger of death in the world today, including myocardial infarction and ischemic heart diseases. To date, extraordinary measures have been prescribed, from the perspectives of both conventional medical therapies and surgeries, to enforce cardiac cell regeneration post cardiac traumas, albeit with limited long-term success. The prospects of successful heart transplants are also grim, considering exorbitant costs and unavailability of suitable donors in most cases. From the perspective of cardiac revascularization, use of nanoparticles and nanoparticle mediated targeted drug delivery have garnered substantial attention, attributing to both active and passive heart targeting, with enhanced target specificity and sensitivity. This review focuses on this aspect, while outlining the progress in targeted delivery of nanomedicines in the prognosis and subsequent therapy of cardiovascular disorders, and recapitulating the benefits and intrinsic challenges associated with the incorporation of nanoparticles. This article categorically provides an overview of nanoparticle-mediated targeted delivery systems and their implications in handling cardiovascular diseases, including their intrinsic benefits and encountered procedural trials and challenges. Additionally, the solicitations of aptamers in targeted drug delivery with identical objectives, are presented. This includes a detailed appraisal on various aptamer-navigated nanoparticle targeted delivery platforms in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular maladies. Despite a few impending challenges, subject to additional investigations, both nanoparticles as well as aptamers show a high degree of promise, and pose as the next generation of drug delivery vehicles, in targeted cardiovascular therapy.