{"title":"Silencing Myostatin Using In Vivo Self-Assembled siRNA Protects Against Cancer- and Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy.","authors":"Xin Yin, Azhar Anwar, Jiehao Chen, Qinghao Sun, Likun Zhou, Jie Tang, Jingwei Guo, Linbo Yan, Yongci Chen, Feng Yin, Chen-Yu Zhang, Zigang Li, Jizheng Ma, Liyuan Sheng, Xi Chen","doi":"10.1002/adhm.202502186","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Maintaining skeletal muscle mass is crucial for health, as muscle atrophy caused by drugs, cancer, or aging poses serious risks. However, there are few effective pharmacological interventions targeting muscle atrophy, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, in vivo self-assembled siRNA is designed to silence myostatin (MSTN), a key regulator of muscle growth and atrophy, aiming to prevent muscle atrophy. Using synthetic constructs and the host liver as a scaffold, the assembly of MSTN-siRNA is guided into muscle-specific peptide MSP-tagged small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). These MSP-tagged sEVs selectively deliver MSTN-siRNA to muscle tissue. Treatment significantly reduces MSTN protein levels in skeletal muscle, promotes muscle mass gain in healthy mice, and protectes skeletal muscles from atrophy in cancer- and dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy models. Notably, the sEV-encapsulated MSTN-siRNA is produced in a nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, and biocompatible manner. This study offers a promising therapeutic approach for muscle atrophy, addressing a key gap in current treatment options and potentially improving outcomes for patients with muscle-wasting conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":113,"journal":{"name":"Advanced Healthcare Materials","volume":" ","pages":"e02186"},"PeriodicalIF":9.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Advanced Healthcare Materials","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202502186","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Maintaining skeletal muscle mass is crucial for health, as muscle atrophy caused by drugs, cancer, or aging poses serious risks. However, there are few effective pharmacological interventions targeting muscle atrophy, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, in vivo self-assembled siRNA is designed to silence myostatin (MSTN), a key regulator of muscle growth and atrophy, aiming to prevent muscle atrophy. Using synthetic constructs and the host liver as a scaffold, the assembly of MSTN-siRNA is guided into muscle-specific peptide MSP-tagged small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). These MSP-tagged sEVs selectively deliver MSTN-siRNA to muscle tissue. Treatment significantly reduces MSTN protein levels in skeletal muscle, promotes muscle mass gain in healthy mice, and protectes skeletal muscles from atrophy in cancer- and dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy models. Notably, the sEV-encapsulated MSTN-siRNA is produced in a nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, and biocompatible manner. This study offers a promising therapeutic approach for muscle atrophy, addressing a key gap in current treatment options and potentially improving outcomes for patients with muscle-wasting conditions.
期刊介绍:
Advanced Healthcare Materials, a distinguished member of the esteemed Advanced portfolio, has been dedicated to disseminating cutting-edge research on materials, devices, and technologies for enhancing human well-being for over ten years. As a comprehensive journal, it encompasses a wide range of disciplines such as biomaterials, biointerfaces, nanomedicine and nanotechnology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.