Application of Nanocarrier-Based Targeted Drug Delivery in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis and Vascular Diseases

Liver fibrosis and vascular diseases are often accompanied by chronic inflammation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, posing significant clinical challenges. In this study, we developed a poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanocarrier system for targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic agents. The nanocarriers were fabricated via a nanoprecipitation method and functionalized with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) antibodies and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) aptamers to enhance cell-specific targeting. Characterization revealed uniform spherical morphology with a mean particle size of 150 ± 20 nm, increasing to 165 ± 25 nm after ligand modification, and a stable zeta potential of -20 ± 5 mV. Flow cytometry confirmed a conjugation efficiency of 85 ± 5%. Confocal imaging showed 2.3-fold and 2.5-fold increases in uptake by hepatic stellate and vascular endothelial cells, respectively. ELISA results demonstrated significant reductions in TNF-α, IL-6, Collagen I, and Fibronectin levels following treatment with drug-loaded nanocarriers. In vivo studies using C57BL/6 mouse models of liver fibrosis and vascular injury confirmed improved therapeutic efficacy. The nanocarrier group showed marked reductions in ALT (60 ± 6 U/L), AST (80 ± 8 U/L), liver fibrosis area (15 ± 3%), and atherosclerotic plaque (12 ± 2%) compared to controls. No significant adverse effects were observed. These results suggest that ligand-modified PLGA nanocarriers provide a promising strategy for targeted therapy of fibrosis-related diseases improved efficacy and safety profiles.