Chondroitin Sulfate-Based ROS-Responsive Nanoparticles Targeting Activated Myofibroblasts via CD44 Receptors for the Renal Fibrosis Therapy

studies demonstrated that CEL@CB nanoparticles facilitate targeted CEL delivery to activated myofibroblasts, achieving a drug accumulation in fibrotic kidneys more than 2-fold higher than in healthy controls. Treatment with CEL@CB reduced the expression of key fibrotic markers (α-SMA and Col1a1) by approximately 30-70% at both mRNA and protein levels and decreased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels by about 50%, thereby significantly attenuating folic acid-induced renal fibrosis, restoring renal function, and mitigating histological damage. Importantly, this targeted strategy markedly minimized the toxicity to the heart, testis, and hematological systems associated with free CEL. This dual-functional nanoparticle combines CD44-mediated renal targeted delivery with ROS-responsive drug release, offering a novel approach for antifibrotic therapy.