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Novel mRNA Delivery System Bypasses Liver for Targeted IBD Treatment

• Tel Aviv University researchers have developed a groundbreaking method to deliver mRNA-based drugs directly to inflamed intestines while bypassing the liver, potentially revolutionizing IBD treatment.

• The innovative approach uses modified lipid nanoparticles that transform intestinal immune cells into producers of anti-inflammatory interleukin-10, showing promising results in animal models of Crohn's disease and colitis.

• This breakthrough delivery system opens new possibilities for targeted organ-specific therapies, with researchers already exploring applications for pancreatic and other organ treatments.

Tel Aviv University scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough in drug delivery technology that could transform the treatment landscape for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The innovative approach enables direct delivery of mRNA-based medications to inflamed intestines while circumventing the liver, addressing a long-standing challenge in therapeutic delivery.
The research, featured on the cover of Advanced Science, introduces a novel modification to lipid nanoparticle composition that fundamentally alters how drugs travel through the bloodstream. By increasing the concentration of specific fat molecules in the nanoparticles, the research team successfully engineered a delivery system that targets inflamed intestinal tissue with unprecedented precision.
Professor Dan Peer, who co-led the research, explains the significance of bypassing the liver: "First, drugs intended to target specific cells in particular organs may be toxic to the liver. Second, we don't want drugs to get 'stuck' in the liver. Ideally, the drug would reach the target organ first, and any remnants would then break down in the liver."

Therapeutic Impact and Mechanism

The new delivery system demonstrated remarkable efficacy in animal models of IBD. "Not only were we able to deliver an mRNA-based anti-inflammatory drug directly to the inflamed intestine and improve all markers of colitis and Crohn's disease, but we also transformed the immune cells in the intestine into factories for producing the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10," Professor Peer reports.
This approach represents a significant advancement over conventional treatment methods, offering more precise targeting and potentially reduced side effects. The ability to transform local immune cells into therapeutic protein producers could provide more sustained and effective treatment for IBD patients.

Future Applications and Research Directions

The implications of this discovery extend well beyond IBD treatment. The research team is actively investigating how adjustments to lipid compositions could enable targeted delivery to other organs, including the pancreas. "This direct delivery method for mRNA drugs opens up broad possibilities for developing new and more precise therapies than ever before," notes Professor Peer.
The versatility of this delivery platform suggests potential applications across a wide range of conditions that require organ-specific targeting. This could lead to the development of more effective treatments with fewer systemic side effects, representing a significant advance in therapeutic delivery technology.
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