Matrix stiffness regulates lipid nanoparticle-mRNA delivery in cell-laden hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: mRNA therapeutics have increased in popularity, largely due to the transient and fast nature of protein expression and the low risk of off-target effects. This has increased drastically with the remarkable success of mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19. Despite advances in lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based delivery, the mechanisms that regulate efficient endocytic trafficking and translation of mRNA remain poorly understood. Although it is widely acknowledged that the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates uptake and expression of exogenous nano-complexed genetic material, its specific effects on mRNA delivery and expression have not yet been examined. Here, we demonstrate a critical role for matrix stiffness in modulating both mRNA transfection and expression and uncover distinct mechano-regulato

SUBMITTER: Athirasala A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9206884 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature