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Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Macrophage-Based Therapies for Atherosclerosis Management
Renyi Peng1,2, Hao Ji1,2, Libo Jin1,2
1Institute of Life Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Insights
Macrophages offer a promising avenue for treating atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory vascular disease. Macrophage-based therapies show potential for effective and safe AS management in future clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Immunology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease underlying ischemic cardio/cerebrovascular disease (CVD).
- Current long-term treatments for AS exhibit limited efficacy and significant side effects.
- Macrophages possess intrinsic homing capabilities, presenting an opportunity for targeted and safer AS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review macrophage-based therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis management.
- To explore novel approaches utilizing macrophages or their components for AS treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on macrophage-based therapies for AS.
- Analysis of strategies including macrophage autophagy, polarization, and targeted delivery.
- Examination of microenvironment-triggered drug release and macrophage/membrane-based drug carriers.
Main Results:
- Macrophage-based therapies demonstrate significant potential for AS management.
- Various approaches leverage macrophage characteristics for targeted drug delivery and controlled release.
- The use of macrophages or their membranes as drug carriers is a developing area.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage-based therapies hold considerable promise for effective AS management.
- These strategies offer potential for improved safety and efficacy compared to conventional treatments.
- Further research and clinical translation are anticipated for macrophage-based AS therapies.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis (AS), a typical chronic inflammatory vascular disease, is the main pathological basis of ischemic cardio/cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Long-term administration was characterized with low efficacy and serious side effects, while the macrophages with attractive intrinsic homing target have great potential in the efficient and safe management of AS. In this review, we focused on the systematical summary of the macrophage-based therapies in AS management, including macrophage autophagy, polarization, targeted delivery, microenvironment-triggered drug release, and macrophage- or macrophage membrane-based drug carrier. In conclusion, macrophage-based therapies have great promise to effectively manage AS in future research and clinic translation.
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