Fall Research Expo 2022

MiR-146a Encapsulated Liposomes Reduce Vascular Inflammatory Responses

Vascular insults can create an inflammatory cascade involving endothelial cell, smooth muscle cell, and macrophage activation which can eventually lead to vascular disease such as atherosclerosis. Several studies have identified microRNA 146a’s (miR-146a) anti-inflammatory potential based on its role in regulating the nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) pathway. Therefore, in this study, we introduced exogenous miR-146a encapsulated by liposomes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated vascular cells and macrophages to reduce inflammatory responses. First, the miR-146a encapsulated liposomes showed uniform size (radius 96.4 ± 4.22 nm) and round shape, long term stability (at least two months), high encapsulation efficiency (~69%), and were well transfected to human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs),  human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs), and human differentiated monocytes (U937 cells). In addition, we demonstrated that miR-146a enapsulated liposomes reduced vascular inflammation responses in HAECs and AoSMCs through inhibition of ICAM-1 expression and decreased monocyte adhesion. In macrophages, miR-146a liposome treatment demonstrated decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), as well as reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) uptake and foam cell formation. Thus, based on these results, miR-146a encapsulated liposomes may be promising for reducing vascular inflammation by targeting its multiple associated mediators.

 

PRESENTED BY
Other
College of Arts & Sciences 2025
Advised By
Patrick Hwang
Director of Research and Development
PRESENTED BY
Other
Endomimetics, LLC
College of Arts & Sciences 2025
Advised By
Patrick Hwang
Director of Research and Development

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