Nanoparticle Applications in Atherosclerosis Imaging and Treatment

Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide, driven by chronic inflammation, lipid accumulation and plaque destabilisation. Nanoparticle platforms have emerged as versatile tools to interrogate plaque biology and to deliver therapeutic payloads with high precision. By engineering size, surface chemistry and targeting ligands, researchers can achieve selective accumulation in diseased arterial walls, enhance contrast for non-invasive imaging modalities and modulate key cellular processes within plaques. Imaging applications span magnetic resonance, fluorescence and photoacoustic techniques, enabling early detection of high-risk lesions, quantification of inflammatory cell burden and real-time monitoring of therapeutic outcomes. On the interventional front, nanoparticles carrying anti-inflammatory agents, nucleic acids or photoreactive compounds facilitate localised modulation of macrophage function, promotion of plaque stability and regression of lipid cores. Integration of diagnostic and therapeutic features—so-called ‘theranostics’—promises personalised management of atherosclerosis, minimising systemic exposure and improving clinical decision making. As these platforms advance from preclinical validation toward clinical translation, challenges remain in large-scale manufacturing, long-term safety and standardisation of efficacy metrics. Nevertheless, recent strides in nanoparticle design continue to pave the way for precision cardiovascular medicine.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have refined macrophage-targeted nanoparticle systems to both image and treat inflamed plaques. Rationally designed constructs presenting macrophage-binding ligands have been applied in preclinical models to deliver imaging agents for high-resolution identification of vulnerable lesions and to transport anti-inflammatory drugs that shift macrophage phenotype toward resolution. These vectors exploit scavenger receptors and mannose receptors on lesional macrophages, enabling quantification of inflammatory burden by magnetic or optical modalities and achieving suppression of pro-atherogenic cytokine release.

In parallel, novel optical imaging approaches have harnessed endogenous near-infrared autofluorescence arising from intraplaque haemorrhage and haem degradation products. This technique permits non-invasive detection of advanced, rupture-prone lesions and longitudinal monitoring of plaque dynamics in animal models. The integration of targeted nanoparticle probes with fluorescence emission computed tomography has enabled in vivo assessment of plaque instability and validation of stabilising interventions.

Nanoparticle Applications in Atherosclerosis Imaging and Treatment publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle applications in atherosclerosis imaging and treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanoparticle: A particle with dimensions under 100 nm engineered for drug delivery or imaging contrast.

Atherosclerotic plaque: A lipid-rich lesion in the arterial wall characterised by a fibrous cap and inflammatory cell infiltrate.

Macrophage-targeting ligand: A surface-conjugated molecule that directs nanoparticles to macrophages via receptor binding.

Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF): Optical emission in the 700–1,700 nm range used for deep-tissue imaging with reduced background.

Photodynamic therapy: A treatment modality that employs light-activated compounds to generate cytotoxic species and ablate target cells.

Photoacoustic imaging: A hybrid technique converting absorbed light into ultrasound signals to visualise molecular events in vivo.

References

1. Near Infrared Light‐Activatable Platelet‐Mimicking NIR‐II NO Nano‐Prodrug for Precise Atherosclerosis Theranostics. Advanced Science (2023).
2. Macrophage-targeted nanomedicine for the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. Nature Reviews Cardiology (2021).
3. Near-infrared autofluorescence induced by intraplaque hemorrhage and heme degradation as marker for high-risk atherosclerotic plaques. Nature Communications (2017).
4. In vivo assessment of inflammation in carotid atherosclerosis by noninvasive photoacoustic imaging. Theranostics (2020).
5. Intravascular optical imaging of high-risk plaques in vivo by targeting macrophage mannose receptors. Scientific Reports (2016).