A preclinical study from Xu, Zhang and Yu outlines nanoparticle strategies designed to modulate macrophage behavior in atherosclerotic plaques. Investigators report targeted delivery systems that shift macrophages from pro‑inflammatory to reparative phenotypes, reducing plaque burden in animal models. The paper details particle composition, targeting ligands and payloads that influence macrophage polarization and cholesterol handling. Authors propose macrophage microenvironment engineering as a route to durable plaque regression beyond lipid‑lowering alone. For biotech R&D: macrophage‑directed nanomedicines provide a translational roadmap for vascular immunomodulation and suggest biomarkers and imaging endpoints that could support early clinical trials.