LEWIS KATZ SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

mRNA Therapy Reactivates Developmental Gene to Repair Heart Damage After Heart Attack

- Researchers at Temple University developed a novel mRNA therapy that delivers the PSAT1 gene to stimulate heart muscle repair and improve cardiac function following heart attack. - The treatment showed striking results in mice, with robust increases in cardiomyocyte proliferation, reduced tissue scarring, improved blood vessel formation, and significantly enhanced heart function and survival. - PSAT1 activates the serine synthesis pathway, reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage while promoting nuclear translocation of β-catenin for cell cycle re-entry in cardiomyocytes. - The modRNA technology provides a flexible platform for gene delivery with high specificity and limited side effects, without integrating into the genome like viral therapies.