In a groundbreaking development, scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have devised a new therapy to accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds.
This revolutionary approach utilizes minuscule fat particles loaded with genetic instructions aimed at calming inflammation.
The treatment specifically targets problematic cells and reduces swelling and harmful molecules in mouse models of damaged skin.
Published in the online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on May 20, the research sheds light on a promising avenue for addressing diabetic wounds, which often resist conventional treatments.
These wounds pose severe health risks to millions globally, with immune cells called macrophages exacerbating inflammation rather than aiding in the healing process.
The therapy employs lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) carrying RNA encoding IL-4, a signaling protein known as a cytokine.
This approach effectively targets dysfunctional macrophages while simultaneously curbing inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetic wounds.
ROS molecules, naturally produced in the body during metabolic processes, play crucial roles in cell signaling and immune responses.
However, excessive ROS production can lead to oxidative stress, causing cell, protein, and DNA damage, contributing to inflammation and aging.
Earlier this year, Dr. Dong and colleagues reported on lipid nanoparticles that enhance tissue engineering and regeneration activity in adipose stem cells for treating diabetic wounds, laying the groundwork for the current breakthrough.
Despite the promising results, researchers emphasize the necessity for rigorous randomized controlled clinical trials to confirm safety and efficacy in humans.
