Application of therapeutical nanoparticles with neutrophil membrane camouflaging for inflammatory plaques targeting...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction.
• Targeting atherosclerotic plaques is crucial for effective treatment across disease stages.
• Neutrophils naturally infiltrate atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting their recruitment mechanisms can be mimicked for therapeutic delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simvastatin-loaded, neutrophil membrane-cloaked nanoplatform (NNPST) for enhanced atherosclerosis management.
• To investigate the plaque-targeting capabilities and therapeutic efficacy of NNPST in vivo.
• To assess the biosafety of the neutrophil membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of simvastatin-loaded nanoparticles coated with neutrophil membranes (NNPST).
• Evaluation of NNPST's ability to mimic neutrophil function and evade phagocytosis.
• Assessment of plaque targeting and accumulation in ApoE-/- mice using dual-modality imaging (fluorescence/MR).
• Quantification of therapeutic effects on plaque size and local inflammation.

Main Results:

• NNPST demonstrated prolonged circulation time by evading macrophage phagocytosis.
• NNPST exhibited superior plaque homing in atherosclerotic mice compared to uncoated nanoparticles (NPST).
• NNPST treatment significantly reduced plaque burden (to 4.75 ± 1.48% of aortic area) by suppressing inflammatory macrophages.
• Biosafety assessments confirmed no noticeable toxicity associated with NNPST.

Conclusions:

• Neutrophil membrane-camouflaged nanoplatforms (NNPST) offer a promising strategy for targeted drug delivery in atherosclerosis.
• This biomimetic approach enhances therapeutic payload accumulation at plaque sites.
• The NNPST system provides a versatile platform for treating inflammatory diseases involving neutrophils.