Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025
Isolation, Characterization, and Differentiation of Cardiac Stem Cells from the Adult Mouse Heart
Published on: January 7, 2019
'Emerging cell-specific therapies in cardiovascular disease'
Amandeep Rashid Mondal1, Ashish Misra2
1Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Insights
New cell-specific therapies target atherosclerosis by modulating plaque cell behavior. These innovative approaches, including nanoparticles and CRISPR-Cas9, offer precise treatments for cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cellular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major global cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Current treatments focus on risk factors, not underlying plaque progression.
- Key cell types (endothelial cells, macrophages, smooth muscle cells) drive plaque development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review innovative cell-specific therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis.
- To explore the potential of emerging technologies in treating cardiovascular disease.
- To consider repurposing oncology treatments for atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of nanoparticle-based therapies.
- Analysis of viral vector applications in atherosclerosis.
- Evaluation of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing for plaque modulation.
Main Results:
- Cell-specific therapies offer precise targeting of atherosclerotic plaque cells.
- Nanoparticles, viral vectors, and CRISPR-Cas9 can modulate gene expression and cell behavior.
- Insights from oncology suggest potential for repurposing treatments.
Conclusions:
- Emerging cell-specific therapies hold promise for more effective atherosclerosis treatment.
- These approaches aim to address the cellular roots of cardiovascular disease.
- Personalized treatment options with reduced off-target effects are anticipated.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide, driven by complex interactions among various plaque cell types, including endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells. Traditional therapies targeting systemic risk factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure fail to directly address the underlying mechanisms governing plaque formation and progression. Recent advances in cell-specific therapies offer new avenues for targeting the cellular and molecular processes driving atherosclerosis. This Review explores innovative strategies including nanoparticles, viral vectors and CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which have the potential to modulate gene expression and behaviour within plaques cells to alleviate disease. By focusing on the specific roles of key cell types in atherosclerosis, these emerging therapies promise to provide more precise, effective, and personalised treatment options without inducing off-target effects. Moreover, insights gained from successful applications of these technologies in oncology are considered for potential repurposing in atherosclerosis-related disease. As these cell-specific approaches advance through preclinical and clinical development, they may significantly enhance our ability to treat atherosclerosis at its cellular roots, offering new hope for reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease.
