Nanobodies as Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tools for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)

Abstract

The aim of this review is to summarize some of the most recent work in the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis and therapy, focusing mainly on the role of nanobodies in the development of non-invasive imaging methods, diagnostic devices, and advanced biotechnological therapy tools. In the context of the increased number of people suffering from CVDs due to a variety of factors such as sedentariness, poor nutrition, stress, and smoking, there is an urgent need for new and improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Nanobodies can be easily produced in prokaryotes, lower eukaryotes, and plant and mammalian cells, and offer great advantages. In the diagnosis domain, they are mainly used as labeled probes that bind to certain surface receptors or other target molecules and give important information on the severity and extent of atherosclerotic lesions, using imaging methods such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound molecular imaging (CEUMI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography coupled with computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and PET/CT. As therapy tools, nanobodies have been used either for transporting drug-loaded vesicles to specific targets or as inhibitors for certain enzymes and receptors, demonstrated to be involved in various CVDs.

A Comprehensive Review on Therapeutic Potential of Nanobodies

“…Nbs are increasingly offering novel therapeutic and diagnostic possibilities for complex disorders in the field of cardiovascular research such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and thrombosis [109]. As part of the treatment of heart conditions, Nbs are being explored for targeting amyloidosis-related cardiotoxicity, inhibiting ryanodine receptor 2 phosphorylation to mitigate cardiac dysfunction, and inhibiting G-protein coupled receptors to regulate hypertension.…”

“…Furthermore, Nbs targeting matrix metalloproteinase-2 and glycoprotein VI, exhibit potential in inhibiting platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, indicating their potential in anti-thrombotic therapy [117,118]. In general, Nbs hold immense promise for revolutionizing diagnostic approaches and unveiling new therapeutic avenues for addressing a range of cardiac challenges [109].…”

“…In the field of genetic diseases, some researchers focused on voltage-gated sodium channels, which play a role in initiating rapid action potentials in skeletal and cardiac muscles [109,154]. Developing Nbs that target voltage-gated sodium channels presents a challenge due to potential cross-reactivity.…”

“…Developing Nbs that target voltage-gated sodium channels presents a challenge due to potential cross-reactivity. However, specific Nbs (Nb17 and Nb82) binding with nanomolar affinity to voltagegated sodium channel 1.4 and voltage-gated sodium channel 1.5 isoforms, crucial for skeletal and cardiac muscles, have been developed, highlighting potential therapeutic methods [109,154].…”

Attention mechanism-based model for cardiomegaly recognition in chest X-Ray images

“…In the United Kingdom, CVDs are among the primary causes of sudden deaths and disability. CVDs refer to a variety of conditions that affect the heart system and blood arteries [1], [2]. In fact, there are no particular reasons behind CVDs, but there are many factors that can augment their risk of development.…”