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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:01
Synthesis of Monocyte-targeting Peptide Amphiphile Micelles for Imaging of Atherosclerosis
Published on: November 17, 2017
A Multifunctional Polymeric Modulator Targeting Autophagic Lipid Efflux for Efficient Atherosclerosis Therapy
Tengfei Yu1,2, Dahai Yu2, Ping Xu3
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao266003, China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|July 20, 2026
Summary
A novel curcumin and gold nanoparticle modulator targets macrophages to improve lipid metabolism and reduce inflammation, offering a promising new therapy for atherosclerosis (AS). This approach enhances plaque stability and combats AS progression effectively.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major cardiovascular disease driven by impaired lipid metabolism and inflammatory macrophages.
- Conventional therapies face limitations in effectively targeting these pathological mechanisms.
- Developing targeted nanomedicines is crucial for advancing anti-atherosclerotic treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a macrophage-targeted nanomodulator for simultaneous correction of lipid homeostasis and suppression of inflammatory macrophage expansion in AS.
- To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the novel construct in attenuating AS progression and stabilizing plaques.
Main Methods:
- A macrophage-targeted nanomodulator (Cur@HAPPT) was synthesized by integrating curcumin (Cur) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized on hyaluronic acid (HA) via protoporphyrin (Por)-conjugated polycaprolactone (PCL) with ROS-cleavable linkers.
- The construct was designed for CD44-mediated foam cell recognition and intracellular drug release.
- In vitro studies assessed phenotypic repolarization, autophagy activation, lipid efflux, and macrophage expansion.
Main Results:
- Cur@HAPPT successfully induced M1-to-M2 macrophage repolarization and activated autophagy upon cellular uptake.
- Autophagy activation promoted lipid efflux and inhibited inflammatory macrophage proliferation, leading to synergistic therapeutic effects.
- The nanomodulator effectively attenuated AS progression and enhanced plaque stability in preclinical models.
Conclusions:
- The developed Cur@HAPPT nanomodulator demonstrates significant potential as a targeted therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.
- This approach offers a dual-action mechanism to resolve inflammation and correct lipid dysregulation.
- Targeted nanomedicine holds promise for improving the management of AS and cardiovascular diseases.
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