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Project # 67
Development of Inflamed Endothelium Targeting Nanoparticles to Treat Peripheral Arterial Disease

Team Lead: Brooke Kerk
Other Team Members: Savannah Le
Faculty Advisor(s): Kytai Nguyen and Tam Nguyen
Department: BE
Project Type: REU
Title: Development of Inflamed Endothelium Targeting Nanoparticles to Treat Peripheral Arterial Disease
Abstract: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a circulatory disorder caused by atherosclerotic blockages that reduce blood flow to the limbs, leading to ischemia, delayed wound healing, tissue necrosis, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Current treatments, such as surgical revascularization and intramuscular injections, are often invasive, limited in efficacy, or associated with systemic side effects. To address these challenges, this project develops a non-invasive, targeted drug delivery platform using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles conjugated with targeting moieties designed to recognize molecules upregulated in inflamed PAD tissue. The study includes three primary objectives: fabrication and physicochemical characterization of targeting PLGA nanoparticles, in vitro evaluation of cytocompatibility and cellular binding/internalization, and in vivo assessment of targeting efficiency in a Balb/c mouse PAD model. Preliminary results demonstrate uniform nanoparticles (~200 nm diameter, low polydispersity index, negative surface charge), enhanced cellular uptake compared to non-targeting controls, and approximately 1.6-fold greater accumulation in ischemic hindlimb tissue. Overall, this work advances targeted nanomedicine by improving biodistribution, bioavailability, and therapeutic specificity. The platform also provides a versatile framework adaptable to other inflammatory and ischemic diseases, including cancer and chronic wounds, with the potential to improve patient outcomes while reducing treatment-related risks.
Poster: View Poster #67 (PDF)
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