Targeting and therapeutic peptides in nanomedicine for atherosclerosis

Abstract

Peptides in atherosclerosis nanomedicine provide structural, targeting, and therapeutic functionality and can assist in overcoming delivery barriers of traditional pharmaceuticals. Moreover, their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability make them especially attractive as materials intended for use in vivo In this review, an overview of nanoparticle-associated targeting and therapeutic peptides for atherosclerosis is provided, including peptides designed for cellular targets such as endothelial cells, monocytes, and macrophages as well as for plaque components such as collagen and fibrin. An emphasis is placed on recent advances in multimodal strategies and a discussion on current challenges and barriers for clinical applicability is presented.

Keywords: Peptides; atherosclerosis; biomaterial; inflammation; micelles; nanoparticles.

Figure 1

An example of peptides used in atherosclerosis nanomedicine. Schematic of peptide amphiphile micelles (PAMs) targeting plaque components adapted from Chung et al. (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

Figure 2

VCAM-1-targeting polyelectrolyte complex micelles (PCM). PCMs carrying the mir-92a inhibitor (a) bind to HAECs with specificity, (b) downregulate the miR, and (c) upregulate KLF-2 in vitro. Adapted from Ref. 29 with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry. (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)

Figure 3

Collagen IV-targeting PLGA-PEG nanoparticles encapsulating the Ac2-26 therapeutic peptide. Adapted with permission from Ref. 66 from the National Academy of Sciences. (A color version of this figure is available in the online journal.)