MicroRNA-200 Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles Promote Intestinal Epithelium Regeneration in Canonical MicroRNA-Deficient Mice

Abstract

Intestinal epithelium undergoes regeneration after injuries, and the disruption of this process can lead to inflammatory bowel disease and tumorigenesis. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) residing in the crypts are crucial for maintaining the intestinal epithelium's homeostasis and promoting regeneration upon injury. However, the precise role of DGCR8, a critical component in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, in intestinal regeneration remains poorly understood. In this study, we provide compelling evidence demonstrating the indispensable role of epithelial miRNAs in the regeneration of the intestine in mice subjected to 5-FU or irradiation-induced injury. Through a comprehensive pooled screen of miRNA function in Dgcr8-deficient organoids, we observe that the loss of the miR-200 family leads to the hyperactivation of the p53 pathway, thereby reducing ISCs and impairing epithelial regeneration. Notably, downregulation of the miR-200 family and hyperactivation of the p53 pathway are verified in colonic tissues from patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC). Most importantly, the transient supply of miR-200 through the oral delivery of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) carrying miR-200 restores ISCs and promotes intestinal regeneration in mice following acute injury. Our study implies the miR-200/p53 pathway as a promising therapeutic target for active UC patients with diminished levels of the miR-200 family. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the clinical application of LNP-miRNAs could enhance the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of existing therapeutic modalities for intestinal diseases.

Multicomponent Synthesis of Imidazole-Based Ionizable Lipids for Highly Efficient and Spleen-Selective Messenger RNA Delivery

“…Messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics represent a revolutionary frontier in biomedical research, showcasing immense clinical potential across diverse applications such as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, , protein replacement therapies, , cancer immunotherapies, , cellular reprogramming, , and gene editing. , Despite the promising avenues that mRNA therapeutics open, their clinical viability is hindered by challenges such as rapid degradation and limited localization when administered in a naked form, owing to the mRNA’s inherently large and polyanionic nature . Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as a pivotal delivery vehicle for mRNA, demonstrating notable efficacy and safety in clinical applications.…”