aims to High on Nano familiarize the general public with the work of the Nanomedicine Team at the Transla5onal and Molecular Imaging Ins5tute. It supports the development of new therapeu5c paradigms, and also advocates the applica5on of new financial instruments to accelerate the clinical transla5on of nanotherapy for atherosclerosis pa5ents.
Atherosclerosis, or the thickening of the arterial wall, is a result of the accumula5on of fa6y compounds, forming plaques1. The rupturing of these atherosclero5c plaques are underlying causes of most cardiovascular related deaths, such as strokes and heart a6acks. Atherosclerosis is brought on by coronary artery disease (CAD), and is a major issue facing the modern world. In a 2005 Nature publica5on, the an5-‐atherosclero5c effect of cannabis was demonstrated2, but certain typical limita5ons subdued further research. Willem Mulder, a bio-‐engineer (working in NYC and Amsterdam), is now developing nanopar5cle formula5ons of cannabis to overcome these limi5a5ons.
Cannabinoids, a hydrophobic compound found in marijuana, lower inflamma5on by ac5va5ng the CB1 or CB2 receptor. Low doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has proven to have benefits
in an5-‐atherosclero5c therapies.
In order to be6er u5lize therapies, nanopar5cle formula5ons are being developed which reduce systemic and psychotropic effects, while increasing efficacy and bioavailability. By exploi5ng the Enhanced Permeability and Reten5on Effect (figure below), nanopar5cles accumulate at atherosclero5c sites3. Local delivery of THC through nanopar5cle schemes allows for efficient use of substance. Combina5on of nanotherapy and imaging allows the tracking of bio distribu5on and delivery. The Transla5onal and Molecular imaging Ins5tute Nanomedicine Team, is developing nanopar5cle designs and formula5ons specifically designed for cannabis, in order to exploit its an5-‐atherosclero5c effects.
Many new and developing leaps in the field of nanotechnology are evolving in order to facilitate faster and more efficient produc5on of nanopar5cle therapies. Microfluidics is an emerging technology which allows for speedy manufacturing of nanopar5cles by using micro channels as well as micro-‐vor5ces (see figure below).
1: Libby P, et al. Progress and challenges in transla5ng the biology of atherosclerosis. Nature. 2011 May 19;473(7347): 317-‐25. 2: Steffens S, et al. Low dose oral cannabinoid therapy reduces progression of atherosclerosis in mice. Nature. 2005 Apr 7;434(7034):782-‐6. 3: Loba6o M.E., et al. Perspec5ves and opportuni5es for nanomedicine in the management of atherosclerosis. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2011 Oct 21;10(11):835-‐52.