Work

Targeted delivery of TGF-β mRNA to murine lung parenchyma using one-component ionizable amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Current clinical strategies for the delivery of pulmonary therapeutics to the lung are primarily targeted to the upper portions of the airways. However, targeted delivery to the lower regions of the lung is necessary for the treatment of parenchymal lung injury and disease. Here, we have developed an mRNA therapeutic for the lower lung using one-component Ionizable Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers (IAJDs) as a delivery vehicle. We deliver an anti-inflammatory cytokine mRNA, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), to produce transient protein expression in the lower regions of the lung. This study highlights IAJD’s potential for precise, effective, and safe delivery of TGF-β mRNA to the lung. This delivery system offers a promising approach for targeting therapeutics to the specific tissues, a strategy necessary to fill the current clinical gap in treating parenchymal lung injury and disease.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56448-y

Authors: Jaclynn A. Meshanni, Emily R. Stevenson, Dapeng Zhang, Rachel Sun, Nathan A. Ona, Erin K. Reagan, Elena Abramova, Chang-Jiang Guo, Melissa Wilkinson, Ishana Baboo, Yuzi Yang, Liuyan Pan, Devendra S. Maurya, Virgil Percec, Yongsheng Li, Andrew Gow, Drew Weissman, Elena N. Atochina-Vasserman

Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, East China University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: RNA Interference and Gene Delivery

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $6,990

Funders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, University of Pennsylvania, Wellcome Trust, National Institutes of Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Awards: G1214792496, G1403651065, Research Center in Environmental Health Sciences, G1852790566, G2469401833, G3344108550, G4739483508, G5645280334, G6508869294, G9000000688, G9000127251, G9000138654, G9000266210, G979940031

OpenAlex ID: W4407812994

FWCI: 11.84

Cites: 66

Cited by: 47

Related to: 10