Scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital have developed a groundbreaking delivery system that enables messenger RNA (mRNA) to cross the blood-brain barrier, a major hurdle in treating brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, and brain cancer.
The lipid nanoparticle system, called MK16 BLNP, was designed to utilize natural transport mechanisms within the blood-brain barrier to safely deliver mRNA into the brain. The study, published in Nature Materials, shows that this approach can be more efficient than existing FDA-approved nanoparticles.
In mouse models and human brain tissue studies, the BLNP platform successfully delivered therapeutic mRNAs, demonstrating its potential for clinical application. The researchers believe that this technology could pave the way for future treatments for a range of conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and brain cancers.
The study’s findings highlight the potential of lipid nanoparticles in overcoming the challenges of delivering mRNA to the brain. The authors emphasize that additional studies are needed to assess long-term safety and efficacy, but this breakthrough has significant implications for the development of mRNA-based treatments for central nervous system disorders.
According to Dr. Yizhou Dong, co-corresponding senior author of the study, “Our lipid nanoparticle system represents an important step in the effort to develop mRNA-based treatments for central nervous system disorders.” The researchers are excited to continue evaluating this novel platform for broader therapeutic applications.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/mrna-nanoparticles-bbb-28423