Harnessing Targeted Polymerized Salicylic Acid Particles to Mitigate Neutrophil-Driven Inflammation

Acute inflammation is marked by the excessive and unregulated recruitment of neutrophils to inflamed or injured areas, which contribute to severe tissue damage in numerous inflammatory diseases. Therefore, precise control of the recruitment of neutrophils to inflammation sites is an appealing method to prevent neutrophilic injury. In this study, we investigate the impact of polymerized salicylic acid particles on modulating neutrophil function, focusing on how targeting the inflamed vasculature with particulate carriers influences the recruitment of neutrophils to sites of inflammation. We find that both vascular-targeted and untargeted Poly-SA particles reduce neutrophil rolling and transmigration in murine models of acute mesenteric and lung inflammation. However, the performance of vascular-targeted particles varied depending on the targeting strategy used to target the inflamed endothelium. Our work provides initial insights into the impact of targeted particulate carriers on neutrophil function, offering guidance on future design considerations for drug carriers aimed at modulating neutrophilic inflammation.