Delivery of anti-microRNA-21 by lung-targeted liposomes for pulmonary fibrosis treatment.
Mol Ther Nucleic Acids
; 32: 36-47, 2023 Jun 13.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2287439
ABSTRACT
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disorder with a low survival rate. Pulmonary fibrosis is one of the complications of COVID-19 and has a high prevalence in COVID-19 patients. Currently, no effective therapies other than lung transplantation are available to cure IPF and post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that mediate the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis, thus making them potent drug candidates for this serious disease. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) promotes not only the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts but also epithelial-mesenchymal transition, both of which have been proposed as fundamental processes in pulmonary fibrosis development. Delivery of anti-miR-21 to block the miR-21-associated fibrogenic pathways represents a promising therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. However, microRNA treatment is challenged by quick degradation of RNA in blood, poor cellular uptake, and off-target effects. To overcome these challenges, we developed a lung-targeted, cationic liposome formulation to encapsulate anti-miR-21, enhance its delivery efficiency, and improve the therapeutic efficacy. We optimized the liposome formulation and demonstrated the anti-fibrotic effects using both in vitro and in vivo lung fibrosis models. Our results showed that anti-miR-21 delivered by cationic liposomes suppressed myofibroblast differentiation, reduced the synthesis of extracellular matrix, and inhibited fibrosis progression.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Language:
English
Journal:
Mol Ther Nucleic Acids
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.omtn.2023.02.031
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