title: The effects of particle size, shape, density and flow characteristics on particle margination to vascular walls in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Vascular-targeted drug delivery is a promising approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis, due to the vast involvement of endothelium in the initiation and growth of plaque, a characteristic of atherosclerosis. One of the major challenges in carrier design for targeting cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is that carriers must be able to navigate the circulation system and efficiently marginate to the endothelium in order to interact with the target receptors.
  
  
  
  This review draws on studies that have focused on the role of particle size, shape, and density (along with flow hemodynamics and hemorheology) on the localization of the particles to activated endothelial cell surfaces and vascular walls under different flow conditions, especially those relevant to atherosclerosis.
  
  
  
  Generally, the size, shape, and density of a particle affect its adhesion to vascular walls synergistically, and these three factors should be considered simultaneously when designing an optimal carrier for targeting CVD. Available preliminary data should encourage more studies to be conducted to investigate the use of nano-constructs, characterized by a sub-micrometer size, a non-spherical shape, and a high material density to maximize vascular wall margination and minimize capillary entrapment, as carriers for targeting CVD.
authors.affiliation: a Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology , University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.|b ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia.
authors.forename: Hang T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Ta
authors.affiliation: b ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia.|c Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Monash University, Parkville , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Nghia P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.affiliation: a Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology , University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia.|b ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.affiliation: b ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology , Australia.|c Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Monash University, Parkville , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia.|d Department of Chemistry , University of Warwick , Coventry , UK.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: e Atherothrombosis and Vascular Laboratory , Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute , Melbourne , Australia.|f Department of Medicine , Monash University , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Karlheinz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peter
mesh_terms: D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D003720:Densitometry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers
keywords: Particle physical properties; atherosclerosis; cardiovascular diseases; flow characteristics; margination; particle density; particle shape; particle size