Post-transcriptional regulation in osteoblasts using localized delivery of miR-29a inhibitor from nanofibers to enhance extracellular matrix deposition.

ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs are important post-transcriptional regulators of skeletal biology, and miRNA-based therapeutics have the potential to aid bone repair. However, efficient tools for delivering miRNA mimics or inhibitors to specific target tissues are limited. Polymeric nanofibers closely mimic natural extracellular matrix (ECM) morphology, and are attractive candidates for supporting delivery of cells and bone-anabolic reagents. It is hypothesized that gelatin nanofibers could be used for the localized transient delivery of miRNA-based therapeutics, using miR-29a inhibitor as a prototype to increase ECM deposition. miR-29 family members are negative regulators of ECM synthesis, targeting the mRNAs of selected collagens and osteonectin/SPARC. Inhibiting miR-29 activity may therefore increase ECM pr

SUBMITTER: James EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4114157 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature