Advances in cardiovascular gene therapy: a systematic review of nanoparticle-based delivery strategies for atherosclerosis.
| Title: | Advances in cardiovascular gene therapy: a systematic review of nanoparticle-based delivery strategies for atherosclerosis. |
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| Authors: | Khani M; Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Shahryari K; Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science Tehran, Iran.; Masoumi S; Islamic Azad University, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch (IAUPS) Tehran, Iran.; Alipour M; School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Kerman, Iran.; Mirzaye Z; Medical Student at Kerman University of Medical Sciences Kerman, Iran.; Fathollahzadeh M; Student Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Atefat F; School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Science Shiraz, Iran.; Bastami B; Kish International Campus, University of Tehran Kish Island, Iran.; Rostami Ghezeljeh M; Kerman University of Medical Sciences Kerman, Iran.; Khalili H; Student Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Navidighaziani N; Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Zare H; School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences Kerman, Iran.; Kooshamoghadam V; Yazd Cardiovascular Research Center, Non-Communicable Diseases Research Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences Yazd, Iran.; Ramezanipour S; Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences Fasa, Iran.; Elahabadi G; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad, Iran.; Dodge S; School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science Tehran, Iran.; Parvandi F; Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Fattahi T; Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Ghafouri-Asbagh A; Research Center for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Khosravi F; School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.; Asadi Anar M; School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran. |
| Source: | American journal of cardiovascular disease [Am J Cardiovasc Dis] 2025 Oct 15; Vol. 15 (5), pp. 247-266. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Oct 15 (Print Publication: 2025). |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Review |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: e-Century Publishing Corp Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101569582 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2160-200X (Print) Linking ISSN: 2160200X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am J Cardiovasc Dis Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Madison, Wis. : e-Century Publishing Corp. |
| Abstract: | Background: Atherosclerosis (AS), the primary cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, involves chronic vascular inflammation and plaque formation. While conventional therapies target systemic risk factors, their limited plaque-specific effects and adverse profiles have driven the exploration of targeted delivery systems. Nanoparticle-mediated delivery of nucleic acid therapies offers a promising strategy to modulate inflammation and promote plaque regression at the molecular level. This study aimed to systematically evaluate recent preclinical evidence on the effectiveness of functionalized nanoparticles for delivering nucleic acid-based therapies to atherosclerotic plaques.; Methods: This systematic review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, evaluated preclinical studies published between 2018 and 2024 that utilized nanoparticles to deliver siRNA, miRNA inhibitors, or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to atherosclerotic plaques. Data extraction included nanoparticle type, targeting ligands, size, loading efficiency, administration route, and therapeutic outcomes. Comparative figures were generated, including a bar chart of plaque reduction efficacy by nanoparticle type and a qualitative heatmap mapping functionalization strategies to molecular targets.; Results: Fifteen animal studies met the inclusion criteria. Nanoparticles varied in size (5-190 nm), composition (cyclodextrin, gold, polymeric, lipid-based), and targeting mechanisms (e.g., VCAM1, CD36, integrin ligands). High efficacy was reported for functionalized carriers targeting macrophages or inflammatory pathways, with plaque reductions up to 65.8%. Visual analyses highlighted cyclodextrin-integrin and rHDL-based systems as top-performing strategies, while a heatmap revealed preferred pairings of delivery ligands with nucleic acid targets.; Conclusion: Functionalized nanoparticles demonstrate robust preclinical efficacy for delivering nucleic acids to atherosclerotic plaques. These findings support their potential for targeted, multimodal therapy in cardiovascular disease, warranting further clinical investigation into scalable, biocompatible delivery platforms.; (AJCD Copyright © 2025.) |
| Competing Interests: | None. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Atherosclerosis; drug delivery systems; gene silencing; inflammation; macrophage targeting; nanomedicine; nanoparticles; nucleic acid therapies; plaques; targeted therapy |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20251124 Date Completed: 20251124 Latest Revision: 20251126 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12629888 |
| DOI: | 10.62347/WAHG9031 |
| PMID: | 41278608 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Review