Boosting Cholesterol Efflux from Foam Cells by Sequential Administration of rHDL to Deliver MicroRNA and to Remove Cholesterol in a Triple‐Cell 2D Atherosclerosis Model

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide, is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, which is characterized by lipid and inflammatory cell accumulation in blood vessels and carotid intima thickening. Although disease management has improved significantly, new therapeutic strategies focused on accelerating atherosclerosis regression must be developed. Atherosclerosis models mimicking in vivo‐like conditions provide essential information for research and new advances toward clinical application. New nanotechnology‐based therapeutic opportunities have emerged with apoA‐I nanoparticles (recombinant/reconstituted high‐density lipoproteins, rHDL) as ideal carriers to deliver molecules and the discovery that microRNAs participate in atherosclerosis establishment and progression. Here, a therapeutic strategy to improve cholesterol efflux is developed based on a two‐step administration