Cyclodextrin metal-organic framework engineered titanium surface: Targeted modulation of foam cell lipid homeostasis...

Inflammatory responses and foam cell formation represent pivotal pathogenic drivers in the progression of atherosclerosis. β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD) exhibits anti-inflammatory activity and inhibits macrophage lipid phagocytosis, thereby effectively suppressing foam cell generation. Cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) are porous nanomaterials characterized by their capacity for active pharmaceutical ingredient loading and function as a sustained-release reservoir for β-CD. The hydrophobic cavities of cyclodextrin moieties inherently enhance the encapsulation efficiency of lipophilic pharmaceutical compounds. However, its suboptimal aqueous stability limits its efficacy as a biomimetic carrier in physiological environments. Our study fabricated a β/γ-CD-MOF composite via β-CD and γ-CD hybridization, incorporating the hydrophobic anti-inflammatory agent atorvastatin, followed by surface hydrophobic modification using stearic acid. The resulting hybrid material integrates the anti-phagocytic bioactivity of β-CD with the structural stability of γ-CD. Dopamine-mediated immobilization was employed to coat titanium surfaces with the composite. In vitro and in vivo experimental evaluations confirmed the coating's exceptional stability, biocompatibility, anti-thrombotic potential, and anti-inflammatory activity. By concurrently suppressing macrophage lipid uptake (cholesterol and oxidized low-density lipoprotein) and attenuating inflammatory cytokine expression, the coating synergistically retards atherosclerotic progression. Collectively, this stabilized coating presents a novel approach for achieving the long-term stability of CD-MOFs and facilitating the surface modification of vascular stents.