Gabriel Floarea, Nasser Assi, Maytham Ismail, Anderson Gattis, Tadanori Mammoto, Akiko Mammoto, Mathumai Kanapathipillai
University of Michigan-Dearborn. Medical College of Wisconsin.
United States
Molecules
Molecules 2026; 31:
DOI: 10.3390/molecules31193511
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease driven largely by oxidative stress and inflammation. The pulmonary arterial endothelium plays a key role in PAH pathogenesis. In this study, we developed novel poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based lutein nanoparticles coated with a Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) antibody to target pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) associated with PAH. Lutein, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory carotenoid, served as the model drug. The lutein nanoparticles were produced by nanoprecipitation, followed by surface modification with VCAM-1 antibody. Physicochemical characterization and cellular efficacy studies were performed to assess the potential of the formulation. The studies revealed the production of nanoparticles with an average size of approximately 170 nm that exhibited specificity for PAH patient-derived PAECs (PAH-PAECs) and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, the nanoparticles did not exhibit significant cellular toxicity toward healthy PAECs. This proof-of-principle study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of targeted nanoparticles for the treatment of PAH.
Category
Vascular Cell Biology and Mechanisms of Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Medical Therapy. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacology
Age Focus: No Age-Related Focus
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes