A two-pronged approach to regulate the behaviors of ECs and SMCs by the dual targeting-nanoparticles

Abstract

Inhibiting vascular restenosis remains a tricky challenge for the postoperative development of cardiovascular interventional therapy. The ideal approaches should activate endothelial cells (ECs) and restrain smooth muscle cells (SMCs), however, they are commonly contradictory. Herein, a strategy was developed for synchronizing ECs promotion and SMCs inhibition by codelivery DNA and siRNA for combination therapy. Thus, an easy and efficient strategy integrated dual-superiorities of precise targeting and dual therapeutic genes to precisely regulate the behaviors of ECs and SMCs. The ECs-targeting REDV peptide and SMCs-targeting VAPG peptide grafted anionic polymers were used to surface-functionalize the delivery nanoplatforms for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plasmids and ERK2 siRNA delivery, respectively. The dual targeting-nanoparticles were prepared by physical mixing method, and their outstanding advantages were confirmed by the co-culture experiments. In comparison with single targeting-nanoparticles and dual non-targeting-nanoparticles, the dual targeting-nanoparticles simultaneously enhanced ECs proliferation/migration and restrained SMCs proliferation/migration. Moreover, the dual targeting-nanoparticles group manifested the highest VEGF expression in ECs and the lowest ERK2 expression in SMCs. In summary, the two-pronged strategy with dual targeting-nanoparticles provides a valuable cornerstone for synchronizing ECs promotion and SMCs inhibition.

Keywords: Co-culture; Endothelial cells; Gene delivery; Smooth muscle cells; Targeting peptide.