Nanomaterials to Resolve Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. Atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries, is a major underlying cause. Nanomedicine is an emerging treatment option to manage atherosclerotic plaque burden. Nanomaterials are critical to the success of nanomedicine therapies through their ability to enable targeted, controlled drug release. However, nanocarriers must be designed to ensure that nanomaterials and therapeutics work in tandem, tailored to respond to the unique physiochemical properties of atherosclerotic lesions, in order to move beyond slowing disease progression toward actively resolving atherosclerosis. This perspective serves to equip biomaterial scientists with the foundational knowledge needed to meet the challenge of designing such nanomaterials by reviewing the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and highlighting design parameters that have shown success in targeted therapeutic delivery to atheromatous lesions.