NET-targeted nanoparticles for antithrombotic therapy in pregnancy

Yijie Zhou; Lin Xu; Pingsong Jin; Na Li; Xuehai Chen; Anyu Yang; Hongbo Qi

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2024.109823

NET-targeted nanoparticles for antithrombotic therapy in pregnancy

iScience. 2024 Apr 26;27(5):109823. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109823. eCollection 2024 May 17.

Authors

Yijie Zhou^{1

2

3

4}, Lin Xu^{1

2

3

4}, Pingsong Jin^{5

2}, Na Li^{1

2

4}, Xuehai Chen^{1

2}, Anyu Yang⁴, Hongbo Qi^{5

2

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
² Chongqing Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
³ Department of Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Guiyang 550003, China.
⁴ Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China.
⁶ Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. There is still an unmet need for safe and effective treatment options for DVT during pregnancy. Recent research has shown that neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation plays a very vital role in thrombosis. We created nanoparticles surface-modified by neutrophil elastase (NE)-binding peptide that can target activated neutrophils specifically in vitro and in vivo. Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB NPs) designed in the core scavenges abnormally elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vascular microenvironment and acts as a photothermal agent to mediate photothermal therapy (PTT) to damage fibrin network structure. Based on the data we have included, this noninvasive therapeutic approach is considered safe for both mothers and the fetus. Furthermore, our findings indicate that this therapeutic approach has a significant alleviation effect on intrauterine growth restriction caused by maternal thrombosis.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Biomedical discipline.