A groundbreaking new RNA-based method has been developed by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center that can stimulate cells to produce therapeutic proteins and release them into the bloodstream. The technique, outlined in a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has the potential to increase the lifespan of drugs in the body, offering relief to patients who regularly require drug administrations.
By introducing messenger RNA (mRNA) along with a signal peptide into cells, the proteins produced can be transported to the endoplasmic reticulum and subsequently secreted into the bloodstream. This approach was tested in mouse models of psoriasis and cancer, where it showed promising results in improving disease symptoms and extending the survival of the animals.
The research team believes that this new platform technology, called Signal peptide Engineered Nucleic acid Design (SEND), can be customized to address a wide range of diseases by attaching specific signal peptides to therapeutic proteins. The method could potentially revolutionize drug administration by allowing patients to receive medication less frequently, making treatment more convenient and efficient.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to explore additional applications of the SEND platform, such as enzyme replacement therapy, and conduct further studies in larger animal models to advance this technology towards clinical use. With the success of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, the prospect of utilizing this technology for a variety of medicinal purposes offers a new paradigm in healthcare delivery.
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