Internal medicine

Downregulation and upregulation

Biotechnology

Microvesicles

In vivo

Ischemia

Biology

Gene

VEGF receptors

microRNA

Endogeny

Chemistry

Systemic administration

Brain ischemia

Vascular endothelial growth factor

Angiogenesis

Exosome

Cancer research

Biochemistry

Medicine

Pharmacology

Journal of Nanobiotechnology

Accumulating evidence shows that microRNA-210 (miR-210) holds great promise to improve angiogenesis for brain tissue repair after cerebral ischemia. However, safe and efficient delivery of miR-210 via intravenous administration is still a challenge. In the past decade, exosomes have emerged as a novel endogenous delivery system. Here, c(RGDyK) peptide is conjugated to exosomes, and they are loaded with cholesterol-modified miR-210 (RGD-exo:miR-210).In a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model, the RGD-exo:miR-210 targets the lesion region of the ischemic brain after intravenous administration, resulting in an increase in miR-210 at the site. Furthermore, RGD-exo:miR-210 are administered once every other day for 14 days, and the expressions of integrin β3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD34 are significantly upregulated. The animal survival rate is also enhanced.These results suggest a strategy for the targeted delivery of miR-210 to ischemic brain and provide an angiogenic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Exosome-mediated targeted delivery of miR-210 for angiogenic therapy after cerebral ischemia in mice