Targeting Macrophage Scavenger Receptor for Drug Delivery

Macrophages are regarded as an excellent target for therapeutic intervention. Since the scavenger receptors are present on macrophages, targeting scavenger receptors offers a good choice for selective delivery. Creative Biolabs has a highly experienced team of scientists who have accumulated rich experience in the development of Macrophage-targeted Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems by targeting scavenger receptors. Creative Biolabs offers accurate and effective solutions for researchers in this field.

Introduction of Scavenger Receptors

Macrophages are crucially involved in inflammatory responses and play an essential role in the body's innate defense system by protecting the host during the early phase of infection. Scavenger receptors are present on different tissues in macrophages, monocytes, platelets, endothelial, smooth muscle, and epithelial cells. Upon differentiation of monocytes into intimal macrophages, scavenger receptors such as scavenger receptor class A (SRA) type I/II, CD68/macrosialin, and CD36 are substantially upregulated. These receptors recognize a range of (poly)anionic macromolecules, including polyinosinic acid, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), oligodeoxynucleotides, anionic phospholipids, and modified lipoproteins such as oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and acetylated LDL (acLDL). Following ligand binding, scavenger receptors can mediate intracellular signaling and/or ligand internalization. Therefore, targeting scavenger receptors can help a lot in the selective delivery of drugs. For example, targeting of CD36-expressing macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions using Hexarelin, can be envisaged to have a dual effect-the delivery of therapeutic agents to the lesion and the neutralization of LDL uptake.

Fig.1 Major scavenger receptors and their effects on atherosclerosis.^1,2

Targeting Macrophage Scavenger Receptor for Drug Delivery at Creative Biolabs

Scavenger receptors are multifunctional, multiligand pattern recognition receptors with roles in innate immunity, apoptotic cell clearance, and age-related degenerative pathologies. They are attractive receptor targets since they are expressed on the surface of macrophages, and have been shown to mediate the uptake of negatively charged nanomaterials. Therefore, targeting scavenger receptors may allow the accumulation of drugs in macrophages and offer a potential mechanism for the selective delivery of drugs used to treat infectious diseases, neurological diseases, and cancers. Polyanionic and include modified lipoproteins, advanced glycation end products, and extracellular matrix proteins are known endogenous SRA ligands, which can be used in therapeutics development. Integrating state-of-the-art technologies as well as industry-leading expertise, Creative Biolabs offers accurate and effective solutions in targeting macrophage scavenger receptors for drug delivery. Our multidisciplinary scientists will work together closely to address these scientific and technical challenges.

To assist our clients' specific requirements in the development of Macrophage-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems, Creative Biolabs is proud to offer the most comprehensive services. For more information, please feel free to contact us and further discuss with our scientists.

References

1. Katsuya, Tomohiro, Stephen B. Harrap, and Toshio Ogihara. "Genetics of hypertension and cardiovascular disease." International Journal of Hypertension 2010 (2010).
2. Under Open Access license CC BY, without modification.