Insights into atherosclerosis using nanotechnology

A developing forefront in vascular disease research is the application of nanotechnology, the engineering of devices at the molecular scale, for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in atherosclerosis. Promising research in this field over the past decade has resulted in the preclinical validation of nanoscale devices that target cellular and molecular components of the atherosclerotic plaque, including one of its prominent cell types, the macrophage. Nanoscale contrast agents targeting constituents of plaque biology have been adapted for application in multiple imaging modalities, leading toward more detailed diagnostic readouts, whereas nanoscale drug delivery devices can be tailored for site-specific therapeutic activity. This review highlights recent progress in utilizing nanotechnology for the clinical management of atherosclerosis, drawing upon recent preclinical studies relevant to diagnosis and treatment of the plaque and promising future applications.