Polysaccharide nanosystems for future progress in cardiovascular pathologies

Abstract

Natural polysaccharides have received a lot of attention in the biomedical field. Indeed, sources of polysaccharides, extracted or produced from plants, bacteria, fungi or algae, are diverse and renewable. Moreover, recent progresses in polysaccharide chemistry and nanotechnologies allow elaborating new dedicated nanosystems. Polysaccharide-based nanosystems may be designed for interacting in several biological processes. In particular, the atherothrombotic pathology is highly concerned by polysaccharide-mediated recognition. Atherothrombotic diseases, regardless of the anatomical localization, remain the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world. This review intends to provide an overview on polysaccharide-based nanosystems as drug delivery systems and targeted contrast agents for molecular imaging with an emphasis on the treatment and imaging of cardiovascular pathologies.

Keywords: Atherothrombosis; Drug delivery; Molecular imaging.; Nanosystems; Polysaccharides.

Figure 1

Polysaccharide molecular structures and some of their biological targets.

Figure 2

Physical properties and biological features of nanosystems considering their applications as drug carriers or imaging agents.

Figure 3

Advantages related to polysaccharide-based nanosystems considering their applications as drug carriers or imaging agents in atherothrombotic diseases.

Figure 4

Schematic representation of atherothrombotic lesion highlighting some key features involved in polysaccharide recognition: sialyl Lewis^X (1), heparin (2), fucoidan (3), cyclodextrin (4), chitosan (5) and hyaluronic acid (6).