Good news!
"... For the new study, the team used CD47-blocking nanoparticles that are more targeted towards monocytes and macrophages, two types of immune cell that are associated with inflammation in plaques. And sure enough, in tests in pigs the therapy reduced atherosclerosis as effectively as previous drugs, without any damage to blood cells. ..."
"... Earlier studies in mice required hundreds of microliters of the nanotherapy infusion but, most recently, ... team have achieved measurable impact in pigs by scaling up the amount produced to liters. These volumes are in the range needed for human use. This study represents a critical step toward translation to patient clinical trials of safer, more effective cardiovascular therapies."
From the abstract:
"Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disorder responsible for cardiovascular disease. Reactivation of efferocytosis, the phagocytic removal of cells by macrophages, has emerged as a translational target for atherosclerosis. Systemic blockade of the key ‘don’t-eat-me’ molecule, CD47, triggers the engulfment of apoptotic vascular tissue and potently reduces plaque burden. However, it also induces red blood cell clearance, leading to anemia. To overcome this, we previously developed a macrophage-specific nanotherapy loaded with a chemical inhibitor that promotes efferocytosis. Because it was found to be safe and effective in murine studies, we aimed to advance our nanoparticle into a porcine model of atherosclerosis. Here, we demonstrate that production can be scaled without impairing nanoparticle function. At an early stage of disease, we find our nanotherapy reduces apoptotic cell accumulation and inflammation in the atherosclerotic lesion. Notably, this therapy does not induce anemia, highlighting the translational potential of targeted macrophage checkpoint inhibitors."
MSU research advances infusion designed to clean arteries (original news release)
Pro-efferocytic nanotherapies reduce vascular inflammation without inducing anemia in a large animal model of atherosclerosis (open access)
L-R: Plaque levels in an artery before and after the nanotherapy infusion
Fig. 4: Pro-efferocytic therapies induce favorable immunological gene expression changes across species.
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