Copper sulfide nanoparticles as a photothermal switch for TRPV1 signaling to attenuate atherosclerosis

Wen Gao, Yuhui Sun, Michelle Cai, Yujie Zhao, Wenhua Cao, Zhenhua Liu, Guanwei Cui and Bo Tang ()
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Wen Gao: Shandong Normal University
Yuhui Sun: Shandong Normal University
Michelle Cai: Western University
Yujie Zhao: Shandong Normal University
Wenhua Cao: Shandong Normal University
Zhenhua Liu: Shandong Normal University
Guanwei Cui: Shandong Normal University
Bo Tang: Shandong Normal University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipids within the arterial wall. Although activation of TRPV1 cation channels by capsaicin may reduce lipid storage and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, a clinical use for capsaicin has been limited by its chronic toxicity. Here we show that coupling of copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles to antibodies targeting TRPV1 act as a photothermal switch for TRPV1 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) using near-infrared light. Upon irradiation, local increases of temperature open thermo-sensitive TRPV1 channels and cause Ca2+ influx. The increase in intracellular Ca2+ activates autophagy and impedes foam cell formation in VSMCs treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. In vivo, CuS-TRPV1 allows photoacoustic imaging of the cardiac vasculature and reduces lipid storage and plaque formation in ApoE−/− mice fed a high-fat diet, with no obvious long-term toxicity. Together, this suggests CuS-TRPV1 may represent a therapeutic tool to locally and temporally attenuate atherosclerosis.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02657-z

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