Platelet Membrane Biomimetic Chemiluminescent Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy of Atherosclerosis

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) scavenges diseased cells by using photosensitizers, excitation light, and oxygen. Conventional PDT relies on external excitation light. The depth of penetration of the excitation light is limited, and atherosclerotic plaques are located deep in the tissue, which is not conducive to atherosclerosis treatment. In this study, self-luminescent nanoparticles, platelet membrane (PM)-coated PLGA nanoparticles containing the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and bis(2,4,5-trichloro-6-[pentyloxycarbonyl]phenyl)oxalate (BTPO) (PM@CBNP), are designed for atherosclerosis therapy. After PM@CBNP targeted the plaque, BTPO reacts with H₂O₂, exciting Ce6 to generate singlet oxygen (¹O₂) in the atherosclerotic plaque with overexpressed H₂O₂. The targeting ability and chemiluminescence of PM@CBNP are investigated in vitro and in vivo. In atherosclerotic mice, PM@CBNP eliminate inflammatory macrophages, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, and prevent the progression of atherosclerosis. PM@CBNP provide an idea for the therapy of atherosclerosis.