Research progress on macrophage membrane nanoparticles in the treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications

doi:10.12092/j.issn.1009-2501.2026.06.011

Abstract

Abstract:

Diabetic cardiovascular complications are one of the main causes of death in diabetic patients. In recent years, nanoparticle drug delivery systems have shown significant advantages in the field of drug delivery, especially in the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Among them, macrophage membrane nanoparticles significantly increase the enrichment of drugs in diseased tissues by virtue of their excellent immune escape ability and inflammatory targeting characteristics, making them a new direction for the treatment of cardiovascular complications. This article reviews the bionic characteristics, mechanism of action of macrophage membrane nanoparticles and the latest research progress in the treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications. The mechanism of this technology in regulating the inflammatory response, alleviating oxidative stress and improving endothelial function was discussed. The aim is to provide new ideas for the development of precise treatment strategies for diabetic cardiovascular complications.

Key words: diabetes, cardiovascular complications, macrophage membrane, nanoparticles, drug delivery

CLC Number:

Xinyun PAN, Yunjian SONG, Zhongqun WANG. Research progress on macrophage membrane nanoparticles in the treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2026, 31(6): 821-826.

Figures/Tables 2

Fig.1 Mechanism of targeted anti-inflammatory and repair of drug-loaded macrophage membrane biomimetic nanoparticles (MM-NPs) A: CD47 expressed by drug-loaded macrophages binds to SIRPα on macrophage surfaces, inhibiting immune escape. Integrin α4/β1 expressed by drug-loaded macrophages binds to VCAM-1 on endothelial cells' surfaces, enabling homing to inflamed tissues. B: The mechanism of MM-NPs includes promoting the conversion of macrophages M1 to M2, reducing inflammatory factors, reducing oxidative stress, and improving endothelial function.

Table 1 Application of macrophage membrane modified nanoparticles in the treatment of atherosclerosis

Nanoparticles	Drugs	Mechanism	References
PLGA	Rapamycin	Inhibit macrophage and smooth muscle cell growth and improve endothelial function	[7]
PLGA	Colchicine	Reduce the production of inflammatory factors	[14]
Dextran-g-PBMEO	Kaempferol	Inhibit the ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway and reduce the production of inflammatory factors	[15]
Hyaluronic acid	Rosuvastatin and hydroxysafflor yellow A	Reduce ROS and promote macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype.	[17]
PIAMA	DA, β-CD, and MTX	Clear excess accumulated ROS	[19]
Hollow mesoporous manganese dioxide	Colchicine	Clear excess ROS and reactive nitrogen species	[20]

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