rHDL-6877002 Nanoparticles Target Macrophages and Reduce the Initiation of Atherosclerosis
(A) A schematic representation of rHDL-6877002, which was created by combining human apoA-I, lipids (DMPC [1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine] and MHPC [1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine]) and TRAF-STOP 6877002. (B) Near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging of DiR-labeled rHDL-6877002 distribution in mouse organs (n = 3), showing accumulation of DiR-rHDL-6877002 in the liver and spleen. (C) NIRF imaging of DiR-labeled rHDL-6877002 distribution in mouse aorta (n = 3), showing accumulation of DiR-rHDL-6877002 in the aortic root area, a region containing atherosclerosis. (D) Flow cytometry data of blood, spleen, and whole mouse aortas (n = 8) with DiO-labeled rHDL-6877002, showing rHDL accumulation in macrophages and monocytes, especially in the aorta. (E) Sections of the aortic root containing atherosclerotic plaques, showing DiO-labeled rHDL-6877002 (red) and F4/80+ macrophages (green), revealing that rHDL-6877002 is being taken up by plaque macrophages (colocalization, yellow). Plaque volume (scale bar = 200 μm) (F) and the number of plaque macrophages (scale bar = 100 μm) (G) decrease after 6 weeks of rHDL-6877002 treatment (n = 8) compared with rHDL treatment (n = 8). *p < 0.05. ApoA = apolipoprotein A; rHDL = recombinant high-density lipoprotein.