Nanomedicine in diagnostics and therapy of cardiovascular diseases: beyond atherosclerotic plaque imaging

Abstract

Atherosclerosis results from the accumulation of the modified lipoproteins within the artery walls, which triggers complex vascular inflammatory processes. Although the pharmacologic agents for the treatment of clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis are available, their systemic delivery has serious disadvantages, such as considerable side effects or low efficacy at tolerated doses. Moreover, the treatment of atherosclerosis using the interventional techniques bears further shortcomings: the implanted stents require a lengthy antiplatelet therapy and carry the risk of in-stent restenosis. In the surgical approach to atherosclerosis, apart from the overall risk of open heart surgery, the lack of adequate venous material for bypasses constitutes a common problem. The nanotechnology has the potential to overcome the disadvantages of the current therapy of atherosclerosis, e.g., by the formation of nanosized assemblies for the earlier detection of atherosclerotic lesions and for cell-specific delivery of therapeutics. Replacing the current systemic pharmacological approach by a locally targeted treatment of plaques can substantially minimize the adverse effects, by lowering the drug cytotoxicity and reducing the required dosage. Moreover, a new generation of nanotechnological approaches to the revascularization procedures is now emerging, e.g., vascular tissue engineering utilizing the magnetic nanoparticles or the design of stents with the reduced risk of thrombosis and restenosis. This review discusses the possible applications of the nanomedical approaches in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as novel and efficient tools for atherosclerosis diagnosis

“…It is well known that the articles in open literature reporting different aspects and applications of MNPs are abundant [11][12][13]. In spite of this, the published reports regarding to magnetic nanoparticles for the detection and treatment of atherosclerosis are significantly lower [14][15][16]. Besides, the present review involves different approach in several points.…”

“…In an advanced plaque, a process of angiogenesis takes place due to the growing metabolic needs. This process of neovascularization is associated with the expression of integrin a v b 3 , which is another interesting target [14].…”

Nanotechnology Innovations in Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine: A Comprehensive Review

“…The next step in vascular imaging is to detect the dysfunctional endothelium before the plaque is formed. This can be achieved by targeting VCAM-1 [51], E-selectin [37] or P-selectin [51,59].…”

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

“…These new approaches are increasingly based on molecular understanding of the disease, allowing specific nanomedicine-based molecular imaging and therapy [121][122][123][124][125][126]. Of particular interest are IONPs that can be used as transport vehicles for diagnostic or therapeutic agents through specific surface coating and functionalization, thus enabling site-specific and targeted delivery [127][128][129][130]. Meanwhile, there are numerous studies on NP-based imaging of plaques [131,132].…”