Molecularly targeted nanomedicine enabled by inorganic nanoparticles for atherosclerosis diagnosis and treatment

Atherosclerosis, a chronic cardiovascular disease caused by plaque development in arteries, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by the expression and regulation of key molecules such as cell surface receptors, cytokines, and signaling pathway proteins, potentially facilitating precise diagnosis and treatment on a molecular level by specifically targeting the characteristic molecules. In this review, we highlight the recent progress in the past five years on developing molecularly targeted nanomedicine for imaging detection and treatment of atherosclerosis with the use of inorganic nanoparticles. Through targeted delivery of imaging contrast nanoparticles to specific molecules in atherogenesis, atherosclerotic plaque development at different stages could be identified and monitored via various molecular imaging modalities. We also review molecularly targeted therapeutic approaches that target and regulate molecules associated with lipid regulation, inflammation, and apoptosis. The review is concluded with discussion on current challenges and future development of nanomedicine for atherosclerotic diagnosis and treatment. CO 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This review article highlights the recent progress in the development of molecularly targeted nanomedicine for imaging detection and treatment of atherosclerosis using inorganic nanoparticles. By delivering imaging contrast nanoparticles to specific molecules in atherogenesis, atherosclerotic plaque development at different stages can be identified and monitored through various molecular imaging modalities. Molecularly targeted therapeutic approaches that target and regulate molecules associated with lipid regulation, inflammation, and apoptosis are also reviewed. The article concludes with a discussion on the current challenges and future development of nanomedicine for atherosclerotic diagnosis and treatment.