Visualising inflammation after myocardial infarction with the use of iron oxide nanoparticles

The recent applications of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of common cardiovascular diseases

Almost a third of all fatalities may be attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it a primary cause of mortalities worldwide. Better diagnostic tools and secure, non-invasive imaging techniques are needed to offer accurate information on CVD progression. Several elements contribute to the success of CVD personalized therapy, and two of the most crucial are accurate diagnosis and early detection. The therapy options available for conditions with a pathogenesis that unfold over decades, such as CVD, are very condition-specific and disease-stage based. Nanotechnology is increasingly being used as a therapeutic tool in the biomedical area, where they are used in various contexts, including diagnostics, biosensing, and drug administration. This review article provides an overview of the most recent applications of nanotechnology in the detection and management of prevalent CVDs.

SS-31 Modification Inhibits the Proinflammatory Effect on Macrophages Induced by Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can induce macrophage polarization into the proinflammatory M1-type. This adverse effect is very likely to restrict the applications of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in various inflammatory medical conditions. To inhibit the proinflammatory effect, the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant peptide SS-31 was physically adsorbed on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to develop superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles@SS-31. The macrophages (RAW 264.7) were incubated with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles or superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles@SS-31 at a concentration of 50 μg Fe3O4/mL for 24 hours. Compared to the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles group, the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles@SS-31 group demonstrated significantly reduced cell damage, as evidenced by the inhibition of cell viability loss, early cell apoptosis and the production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the proinflammatory factor TNF-α and M1-type cell surface markers CD86 and CD80 were significantly downregulated in the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles@SS-31 group as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometric analysis. Notably, compared with the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles group, levels of the anti-inflammatory factors IL-10, TGF-β and the M2-type cell surface marker CD163 were markedly upregulated in the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles@SS-31 group. In addition, severe disruption of the mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy in the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles group, but the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles@SS-31 group displayed structurally intact mitochondria. All of these results suggest that superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can promote macrophage M1-type polarization by inducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, while superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles@SS-31 can significantly inhibit superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-induced toxicity by releasing SS-31 to exert mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, indicating that the strategy of coloading the SS-31 peptide into superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles has the potential to alleviate superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-induced proinflammatory effects.

From design to the clinic: practical guidelines for translating cardiovascular nanomedicine

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for nearly half of all deaths in Europe and almost 30% of global deaths. Despite the improved clinical management, cardiovascular mortality is predicted to rise in the next decades due to the increasing impact of aging, obesity, and diabetes. The goal of emerging cardiovascular nanomedicine is to reduce the burden of CVD using nanoscale medical products and devices. However, the development of novel multicomponent nano-sized products poses multiple technical, ethical, and regulatory challenges, which often obstruct their road to successful approval and use in clinical practice. This review discusses the rational design of nanoparticles, including safety considerations and regulatory issues, and highlights the steps needed to achieve efficient clinical translation of promising nanomedicinal products for cardiovascular applications.