Dual-Functional Biomimetic Nanoclusters for Sustained Antifibrotic Therapy and Vascular Protection in Fibrosis Management

Abstract

Fibrosis represents a critical pathological hallmark underlying multiple chronic diseases, yet conventional pharmacological interventions are hampered by limited bioavailability, rapid systemic clearance, and insufficient vascular protection. In this study, we developed a biomimetic nanocluster system designed to overcome these therapeutic bottlenecks. The nanoclusters were fabricated via a self-assembly approach using PLGA-PEG and cholesterol matrices to co-encapsulate pirfenidone (antifibrotic) and resveratrol (vascular protective agent). Physicochemical characterization confirmed uniform particle morphology, stable size distribution, and sustained colloidal stability. Pharmacokinetic evaluation revealed that nanoclusters achieved a delayed peak time and prolonged plateau phase, maintaining therapeutic drug concentrations in serum and hepatic tissue for up to 72 h, in contrast to the rapid clearance observed in micelle and free-drug formulations. Mechanistic investigations suggested that biomimetic surface engineering and electrostatic coupling contributed to suppressed burst release, enhanced retention in fibrotic microenvironments, and receptor-mediated uptake. Functional assays further demonstrated significant inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation, reduction of collagen deposition, and improved endothelial tube formation. In a CCl{square}-induced hepatic fibrosis mouse model, nanocluster treatment markedly decreased fibrotic area and enhanced CD31-positive vessel density without detectable systemic toxicity. The finding highlight the dual antifibrotic and vascular protective effects of biomimetic nanoclusters, which substantially outperform conventional nanocarriers in both therapeutic durability and safety. The present work not only introduces a long-acting drug delivery paradigm for fibrotic disease management but also provides an engineering framework adaptable to broader applications in translational nanomedicine.