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

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.Graphical AbstractAutoradiography of 64Cu-labelled nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and Oil Red O histology (neutral lipids staining) of aortas showed significant particle uptake in atherosclerotic lesions 24 hours after injection in ApoE-/- mice atherosclerotic models. Produced by well-controlled and up-scalable high pressure homogenization, NLC could present similar features than lipoproteins, and be used as synthetic mimetics to convey drugs and contrast agents to atherosclerotic lesions.
Source: Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine - Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research