Treating myocardial infarction via a nano-ultrasonic contrast agent-mediated high-efficiency drug delivery system targeting macrophages

Sci Adv. 2025 Jan 3;11(1):eadp7126. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adp7126. Epub 2025 Jan 3.

Abstract

Following myocardial infarction (MI), the accumulation of CD86-positive macrophages in the ischemic injury zone leads to secondary myocardial damage. Precise pharmacological intervention targeting this process remains challenging. This study engineered a nanotherapeutic delivery system with CD86-positive macrophage-specific targeting and ultrasound-responsive release capabilities. A folic acid (FA)-modified ultrasound-responsive gene/drug delivery system, assembled from DOTAP, DSPE-PEG2000-FA, cholesterol, and perfluorohexane (PFH)-termed FA-PNBs-was developed to codeliver small interfering RNA of STAT1 (siSTAT1) and the small-molecule nitro-oleic acid (OA-NO2) into CD86-positive macrophages. Upon irradiation with low-intensity focused ultrasound, FA-PNBs release siSTAT1 and OA-NO2 at the ischemic injury zone. The results demonstrated the system's precise targeting and efficient delivery capabilities. The combined modulation of OA-NO2 and siSTAT1 optimizes the immune microenvironment in the infarcted region, alleviates ventricular remodeling, preserves cardiac function, and holds promise for clinical intervention strategies after MI.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Contrast Media* / chemistry
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Macrophages* / drug effects
  • Macrophages* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Myocardial Infarction* / drug therapy
  • Myocardial Infarction* / metabolism
  • Myocardial Infarction* / pathology
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Folic Acid
  • Stat1 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Small Interfering