Platelet Couriers
The damage to the heart tissue continues even when after the attack is over. This is due to the activity of inflammatory cells that release the protein interleukin-1 (IL-1), which triggers an immune response and leads to the formation of scars that replace normal cardiac tissue. Drugs that block IL-1ß have shown promise in the third phase of clinical trials, but they carry a significant risk to the patient and pronounced side effects.
The fact is that IL-1ß is involved in protecting the body from any external pathogens – it triggers an inflammatory reaction to destroy the agents that have entered the body. Therefore, systemic blocking of the IL-1ß function weakens the body's resistance to infection. Researchers from the University of North Carolina have shown a way to locally reduce the activity of IL-1 in the heart to avoid systemic side effects.
Platelets have a natural homing ability, which allows them to determine the location of vascular damage in myocardial infarction. The group has previously demonstrated that it is possible to take advantage of this feature of platelets by placing their shells on stem cells and nanoparticles to purposefully repair damaged heart tissues.
In the new study, the team "armed" the microparticles obtained from platelets with an antibody blocking IL-1ß and tested it on a mouse model of myocardial infarction. The concentration of the drug in the heart of mice treated with such therapy was about 10 times higher than in mice from the control group treated with IL-1 in the standard way. In addition, 50% of cardiac function was restored after 70 days in mice receiving targeted drug therapy, compared with 25% recovery in mice who received the drug in the traditional way.
The authors hope that the developed method will allow clinicians to reduce the concentration of injected drugs, while receiving the same benefits, as well as reduce the risk of side effects.
Article Z.Li et al. Targeted anti–IL-1ß platelet microparticles for cardiac detoxing and repairin is published in the journal Science Advances.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on NC State University: Platelet Microparticles Give Antibody Drug 'Piggyback Ride' to Repair Damaged Heart.