Nanostructured lipid carriers accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques of ApoE-/- mice

Nanomedicine. 2020 Apr:25:102157. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2020.102157. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

Abstract

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) might represent an interesting approach for the identification and targeting of rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques. In this study, we evaluated the biodistribution, targeting ability and safety of 64Cu-fonctionalized NLC in atherosclerotic mice. 64Cu-chelating-NLC (51.8±3.1 nm diameter) with low dispersity index (0.066±0.016) were produced by high pressure homogenization at tens-of-grams scale. 24 h after injection of 64Cu-chelated particles in ApoE-/- mice, focal regions of the aorta showed accumulation of particles on autoradiography that colocalized with Oil Red O lipid mapping. Signal intensity was significantly greater in aortas isolated from ApoE-/- mice compared to wild type (WT) control (8.95 [7.58, 10.16]×108 vs 4.59 [3.11, 5.03]×108 QL/mm2, P < 0.05). Moreover, NLC seemed safe in relevant biocompatibility studies. NLC could constitute an interesting platform with high clinical translation potential for targeted delivery and imaging purposes in atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; CARPA; High pressure, homogenization; Nanostructured lipid carriers; PET/MR imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Lipids / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / genetics*
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / metabolism
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / pathology

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Lipids