Despite the emergence of novel diagnostic, pharmacological, interventional and prevention strategies, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Nanoparticle-based platforms encompass diverse imaging, delivery and pharmacological properties that provide novel opportunities for refining diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for atherosclerosis at the cellular and molecular level. Macrophages play a critical role in atherosclerosis and therefore represent an important disease-related diagnostic and therapeutic target, especially given their inherent ability for passive and active nanoparticle uptake. In this review, we discuss an array of inorganic, carbon-based and lipid-based nanoparticles that provide magnetic, radiographic and fluorescent imaging capabilities for a range of highly promising research and clinical applications in atherosclerosis. We discuss the design of nanoparticles that target a range of macrophage-related functions such as lipoprotein oxidation, cholesterol efflux, vascular inflammation and defective efferocytosis. We also provide examples of nanoparticle systems that were developed for other pathologies such as cancer and highlight their potential for repurposing in cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss the current state of play and the future of theranostic nanoparticles. Whilst this is not without its challenges, the array of multifunctional capabilities that are possible in nanoparticle design ensures they will be part of the next frontier of exciting new therapies that simultaneously improve the accuracy of plaque diagnosis and more effectively reduce atherosclerosis with limited side effects.

中文翻译：

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用多功能纳米颗粒靶向巨噬细胞来检测和预防动脉粥样硬化性心血管疾病

尽管出现了新的诊断、药理学、介入和预防策略，动脉粥样硬化性心血管疾病仍然是发病和死亡的重要原因。基于纳米颗粒的平台涵盖多种成像、递送和药理学特性，为在细胞和分子水平上完善动脉粥样硬化的诊断和治疗干预措施提供了新的机会。巨噬细胞在动脉粥样硬化中发挥着关键作用，因此代表了重要的疾病相关诊断和治疗靶点，特别是考虑到它们固有的被动和主动纳米颗粒摄取能力。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了一系列无机、碳基和脂质纳米颗粒，它们为动脉粥样硬化领域一系列极具前景的研究和临床应用提供磁性、放射线和荧光成像功能。我们讨论了针对一系列巨噬细胞相关功能的纳米颗粒的设计，例如脂蛋白氧化、胆固醇外流、血管炎症和有缺陷的胞吞作用。我们还提供了针对癌症等其他病理学开发的纳米颗粒系统的示例，并强调了它们在心血管疾病中重新利用的潜力。最后，我们讨论了纳米粒子治疗诊断的现状和未来。虽然这并非没有挑战，但纳米粒子设计中可能的一系列多功能功能确保它们将成为令人兴奋的新疗法的下一个前沿的一部分，同时提高斑块诊断的准确性，并更有效地减少动脉粥样硬化，且副作用有限。