siRNA nanoparticles targeting CaMKIIγ in lesional macrophages improve atherosclerotic plaque stability in mice
Wei Tao, Arif Yurdagul, Na Kong, Wenliang Li, Xiaobo Wang, Amanda C. Doran, Chan Feng, Junqing Wang, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Omid C. Farokhzad, Ira Tabas, Jinjun Shi
Abstract
mice, the atherosclerotic lesions showed decreased CaMKIIγ and increased MerTK expression in macrophages, improved phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis), decreased necrotic core area, and increased fibrous cap thickness-all signs of increased plaque stability-compared with mice treated with control siRNA NPs. These findings demonstrate that atherosclerosis-promoting genes in plaque macrophages can be targeted with siRNA NPs in a preclinical model of advanced atherosclerosis.
Topics & Concepts
MacrophageATHEROSCLEROTIC VASCULAR DISEASESmall interfering RNACell biologyFibrous capCancer researchChemistryMedicinePathologyDiseaseTransfectionBiologyBiochemistryIn vitroGeneRNA Interference and Gene DeliveryMicroRNA in disease regulationExtracellular vesicles in disease