Article, Early Access,
Sphingomyelinase-responsive nanomicelles for targeting atherosclerosis
Affiliations
- [1] Ctr Nacl Invest Cardiovasc, CNIC, Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, Madrid 28029, Spain [NORA names: Spain; Europe, EU; OECD];
- [2] Inst Quim Med IQM CSIC, Grp Nanomed & Imagen Mol, Juan de la Cierva 3, Madrid 28006, Spain [NORA names: Spain; Europe, EU; OECD];
- [3] Inst Quim Med IQM CSIC, Grp Nanomed & Imagen Mol, Juan de la Cierva 3, Madrid 28006, Spain [NORA names: Spain; Europe, EU; OECD];
- [4] Basque Fdn Sci, Ikerbasque, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao 4800, Spain [NORA names: Spain; Europe, EU; OECD];
- [5] Basque Res & Technol Alliance BRTA, CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo Miramon 182, Donostia San Sebastian 20014, Spain [NORA names: Spain; Europe, EU; OECD];
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Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases requires approaches to enhance disease monitoring and treatment. Nanoparticles offer promising potential in this area by being customisable to target components or molecular processes within plaques, while carrying diagnostic and therapeutic agents. However, the number of biomarkers available to target this disease is limited. This study investigated the use of sphingomyelin-based nanomicelles triggered by sphingomyelinase (SMase) in atherosclerotic plaques. Accumulation of iron oxide-based nanomicelles in the plaque was demonstrated by fluorescence, MR imaging and electron microscopy. These findings demonstrate the possibility of utilising SMase as a mechanism to retain nanoprobes within plaques, thus opening up possibilities for future therapeutic interventions.