Antiangiogenic synergism of integrin-targeted fumagillin nanoparticles and atorvastatin in atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Studies were performed to develop a prolonged antiangiogenesis therapy regimen based on theranostic alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted nanoparticles.


BACKGROUND
Antiangiogenesis therapy may normalize atherosclerotic plaque vasculature and promote plaque stabilization. alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles can quantify atherosclerotic angiogenesis and incorporate fumagillin to elicit acute antiangiogenic effects.


METHODS
In the first experiment, hyperlipidemic rabbits received alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted fumagillin nanoparticles (0, 30, or 90 microg/kg) with either a continued high fat diet or conversion to standard chow. The antiangiogenic response was followed for 4 weeks by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) molecular imaging with alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles. In a second 8-week study, atherosclerotic rabbits received atorvastatin (0 or 44 mg/kg diet) alone or with alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted fumagillin nanoparticles (only week 0 vs. weeks 0 and 4), and angiogenesis was monitored with CMR molecular imaging. Histology was performed to determine the location of bound nanoparticles and to correlate the level of CMR enhancement with the density of angiogenic vessels.


RESULTS
The alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted fumagillin nanoparticles reduced the neovascular signal by 50% to 75% at 1 week and maintained this effect for 3 weeks regardless of diet and drug dose. In the second study, atherosclerotic rabbits receiving statin alone had no antineovascular benefit over 8 weeks. The alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted fumagillin nanoparticles decreased aortic angiogenesis for 3 weeks as in study 1, and readministration on week 4 reproduced the 3-week antineovascular response with no carry-over benefit. However, atorvastatin and 2 doses of alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted fumagillin nanoparticles (0 and 4 weeks) achieved marked and sustainable antiangiogenesis. Microscopic studies corroborated the high correlation between CMR signal and neovessel counts and confirmed that the alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted nanoparticles were constrained to the vasculature of the aortic adventia.


CONCLUSIONS
The CMR molecular imaging with alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles demonstrated that the acute antiangiogenic effects of alpha(nu)beta(3)-targeted fumagillin nanoparticles could be prolonged when combined with atorvastatin, representing a potential strategy to evaluate antiangiogenic treatment and plaque stability.
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA.
Patrick M
PM
Winter
Shelton D
SD
Caruthers
Huiying
H
Zhang
Todd A
TA
Williams
Samuel A
SA
Wickline
Gregory M
GM
Lanza
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003510:Cyclohexanes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring / Q000378:metabolism*; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D002232:Carbocyanines; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D006573:Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3; D011758:Pyrroles; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C494049:TA 145; C026211:fumagillin; D000069059:Atorvastatin