Bionic Microbubble Neutrophil Composite for Inflammation-Responsive Atherosclerotic Vulnerable Plaque Pluripotent
Fangfang Liu1, Yang Mao1, Jiaqi Yan2
1The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
Research (Washington, D.C.)
|June 17, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed bionic Neu-balloons by combining neutrophils and microbubbles. These Neu-balloons effectively target vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques for drug delivery, showing promise for treating acute coronary events.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques rupture, causing acute coronary events.
- Targeting these plaques is difficult due to their small size, high shear stress, and complex nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel targeted delivery system for vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.
- To leverage neutrophil adhesion and microbubble acoustic properties for plaque accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Created bionic Neu-balloons by binding neutrophils to microbubbles using CD11b antibodies.
- Evaluated Neu-balloon adhesion under high shear stress (16 dyne/cm²).
- Assessed plaque accumulation in atherosclerotic ApoE-/- mice using acoustic guidance.
- Investigated drug loading capacity and in vivo delivery of indocyanine green and miR-126a-5p.
Main Results:
- Neu-balloons demonstrated firm endothelial adhesion under high shear stress.
- Acoustically guided Neu-balloons accumulated effectively at atherosclerotic lesions.
- Neu-balloons exhibited high drug loading capacity for targeted delivery.
- Successful in vivo delivery of indocyanine green and miR-126a-5p into vulnerable plaques was achieved.
Conclusions:
- Bionic Neu-balloons offer a promising strategy for targeting vulnerable plaques.
- This approach facilitates on-demand drug delivery to atherosclerotic lesions in vivo.
- Neu-balloons hold potential for advancing the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
