Turning heart scar cells into working heart muscle using RNA-loaded exosomes
Novel approaches for cardiac reprogramming: Exosome delivery of reprogramming miRNAs and repressor targeting siRNAs
This project aims to use tiny natural particles to deliver genetic instructions that convert scar-forming heart cells into beating heart muscle for people recovering from heart attacks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330444 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to convert scar-forming fibroblasts in injured hearts into functioning cardiomyocytes by delivering reprogramming microRNAs together with siRNAs that block a molecular repressor complex. The RNAs will be packaged in exosomes (tiny natural delivery particles) and given to the heart after a heart attack once the scar has stabilized. In lab tests and mouse models they will also reduce the activity of a repressor made of Cbx1, PurB and Sp3 to help reprogramming work better. Early experiments will examine how the repressor blocks heart genes and whether altering its binding sites restores access to key DNA elements.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had a heart attack and now have stable scarred areas of the heart causing reduced pumping function would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose heart failure is not due to post-infarct scarring, those with very advanced disease, or those unable to undergo heart-targeted delivery procedures may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce scar tissue and improve the heart's pumping ability after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse work has shown fibroblast-to-cardiomyocyte conversion is possible but produced only modest functional gains, so combining exosome delivery with repressor knockdown is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hodgkinson, Conrad — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Hodgkinson, Conrad
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.