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High-density lipoprotein-based nanoplatforms for macrophage-targeted diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis
Jianhua He1, Yingxuan Dai2, Fengfei Xu3
1Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, PR China.
Insights
Reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) shows promise as a therapeutic nanoplatform for atherosclerosis. These particles target lipid-laden macrophages, offering new diagnostic and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nanomedicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of global mortality, driven by lipid accumulation in macrophages within arterial plaques.
- Lipid-laden macrophages are central to atherosclerotic lesion development and represent key therapeutic targets.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) possesses inherent plaque-homing capabilities, making it a candidate for atherosclerosis treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical role of macrophages in atherosclerosis.
- To explore the biological properties of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) as a nanodelivery platform for atherosclerotic diseases.
- To summarize the diverse applications of rHDL in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on macrophage function in atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) properties, including biocompatibility and targeting.
- Systematic summary of rHDL applications in atherosclerosis diagnosis and therapy.
Main Results:
- Macrophages are pivotal in all stages of atherosclerotic plaque progression.
- Reconstituted HDL (rHDL) exhibits biocompatibility, amphiphilic structure, and macrophage-targeting ability.
- rHDL serves as a versatile nanoplatform for drug and contrast agent delivery to atherosclerotic lesions.
Conclusions:
- Reconstituted HDL (rHDL) offers significant advantages as a nanoplatform for atherosclerosis.
- rHDL holds potential for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in cardiovascular disease.
- Further research into rHDL applications may yield novel insights and treatments for atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis, the primary cause of cardiovascular disease, which has the highest mortality worldwide, is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly induced by excessive lipid accumulation in plaque macrophages. Lipid-laden macrophages are crucial at all stages of atherosclerotic lesion progression and are, thus, regarded as popular therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), an endogenous particle with excellent atherosclerotic plaque-homing properties, is considered a potential therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis. Based on the excellent properties of HDL, reconstituted HDL (rHDL), with physiological functions similar to those of its natural counterparts, have been successfully prepared as therapeutics and are also recognized as a potential nanoplatform for delivering drugs or contrast agents to atherosclerotic plaques owing to their high biocompatibility, amphiphilic structure, and macrophage-targeting capability. In this review, we focus on the (a) important role of macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions, (b) biological properties of rHDL as a delivery nanoplatform in atherosclerotic diseases, and (c) multiple applications of rHDL in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. We systematically summarize the novel applications of rHDL with unique advantages in atherosclerosis, aiming to provide specific insights and inspire additional innovative research in this field.
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