Orally administered macrophage targeted dendrimer-Tesaglitazar for obesity and atherosclerosis

Introduction: Obesity and atherosclerosis are inflammatory diseases driven by macrophages in white adipose tissue (WAT) and in arteries. There are currently no therapies that treat both diseases. Macrophage peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are a promising target, as their agonists have been shown to inhibit foam cell formation (1) and cause browning/size reduction of adipose tissue (2). We posit that D-Tesa, a dendrimer conjugate of a dual PPAR-α/γ agonist, Tesaglitazar, can preferentially target macrophages in WAT and arterial plaque deposits to address obesity and atherosclerosis.