Among all forms of Coronary Heart Diseases (CHDs), atherosclerosis is the leading cause of deaths in the United States. The scenario is further worsened by the fact that a vast majority of Americans have Diabetes, a disease that accelerates atherosclerosis by driving atherosclerosis related inflammation and slowing down the blood flow. Typical hallmarks of atherosclerosis include impaired Reverse Cholesterol Transport (RCT), inefficient lipid metabolism and deposition of fat-laden macrophages along the inner lining of the arteries to form plaques. An important aspect of efficient anti-atherosclerotic treatment is the early detection of plaque formation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is easy and minimally invasive technique for diagnosis of atherosclerosis. We, in an effort to design a therapeutic-diagnostic combo tool, have synthesized iron oxide loaded high density lipoprotein (HDL) mimicking nanoparticles that enable MR imaging of atherosclerotic plaques in addition to cholesterol and triglyceride removal from the body. Suitable surface functionalities impart macrophage targeting property to these nanoparticles and thus can enhance MRI contrast. To tackle atherosclerosis associated inflammation, we loaded these NPs with CoQ<sub>10 </sub>and the resultant NPs showed significant anti-inflammatory properties in angiotensin-II (Ang-II) or oxidized LDL (OxLDL) stimulated Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs).

MRI probe loaded HDL mimicking nanoparticles for diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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