‘Trojan horse’ nanoparticles: possible treatment for atherosclerosis

Scientists have developed a unique nanoparticle treatment capable of reducing the size of plaques and possibly prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. A team from Michigan State University (MI, USA) and Stanford University (CA, USA) have recently announced their targeted nanoparticle technology designed to clear cellular debris in order to reduce and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. This could, therefore, become a potential therapy for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. Current treatments being investigated for this are prophagic antibody-based therapies. These induce phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells from the core of plaques. However, these can also cause clearance of healthy tissues leading to...