Atherosclerosis (AS) therapy has been commonly based on lipid-lowering agents ( e.g. , statins), supplemented by other therapies, such as anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants, through traditional Chinese herbs. Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in the progression of AS, particularly in macrophages. In the study, we constructed a macrophage targeted hybridization nanodrug of HMLRPP NPs, which used Pit-loaded Poly(lactic- co -glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles and Res-loaded liposomes (Lipo) as nano-core, then, coated with a macrophage membrane hybridized by hyaluronic acid (HA). The nanodrug prolonged blood circulation time and achieved optimal Res and Pit accumulation in the atherosclerotic plaques by effectively evading immune system clearance. In vivo studies demonstrated that HMLRPP NPs significantly attenuated plaque progression, characterized by decreased plaque area, less lipid deposition, and increased collagen. Meanwhile, HMLRPP NPs inhibited macrophage ferroptosis by decreasing the expression of β-Hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 1 (BDH1), Orosomucoid 1 (ORM1) and enhancing the expression of Ribosomal protein S27-like (RPS27L), which resulted in the alleviation of lipid accumulation and inflammation. Our data suggest that the HMLRPP nanodrug delivery system with ferroptosis-regulating capability provides a feasible therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.
Yizhou Wu,Hongyan Zhou,Hao Liu,Jiayao Hu,Yue Sun,Wei Yan,Chunyi Tong,Ying Kong,Bin Liu
Advanced atherosclerosis is the major global cause of death, as featured by the aggregation of apoptotic cells (ACs) in necrotic cores. The defective efferocytosis and dysfunctional cholesterol efflux of macrophages are the main reasons for forming necrotic cores in advanced atherosclerosis. In this study, we constructed self-assembled procyanidins (PC) NPs for loading pitavastatin (Pita). The designed HA@PC@Pita NPs with hyaluronic acid (HA) modification combined the advantages of efferocytosis restoration of Pita and cholesterol efflux enhancement of PC. In vitro assay indicated that HA@PC@Pita NPs could induce M1/M2 repolarization and upregulate ERK5/Mertk expression to restore efferocytosis of macrophages. Simultaneously, HA@PC@Pita NPs notably promoted cholesterol efflux by promoting macrophage lipophagy, a selective autophagy of lipid droplets. In vivo study showed that HA@PC@Pita NPs cleared necrotic core and enhanced plaque stability in the ApoE −/− mice model with advanced atherosclerosis. Taken together, this study demonstrated the potential of HA@PC@Pita NPs for the treatment of advanced atherosclerosis.