Silencing of PAI-1 using siRNA-lipid nanoparticles reduces thrombosis and prolongs life span in murine models

F Francesca Ferraresso (3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada) C Chad W. Skaer (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) Z Zimu Wei W Woosuk S. Hur (2UNC Blood Research Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC) H Hongyin Yu (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) M Monica Seadler (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) T Taylor H. Y. Chen (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) W Wen Dai M Manoj Paul (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) C Catherine Lapointe (5Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC) L Laura M. Ketelboeter (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) H Hayley Lund (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) G Geoffrey G. Rodriguez (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) L Lih Jiin Juang (2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada) A Amy W. Strilchuk (2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada) Y Youjie Zhang (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) P Pieter R. Cullis M Mitchell R. Dyer (1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) A Allison L. Gerras (4Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI) Q Qizhen Shi (Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI) J James P. Luyendyk (Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States) M Matthew J. Flick (2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC) Z Ze Zheng (State Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, Center for Quantum Sensing and Information Processing, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,) C Christian J. Kastrup (Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States)

Abstract

Abstract Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, thereby promoting blood clot stabilization. PAI-1 contributes to thrombosis, diet-induced obesity, and age-associated diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer disease. Circulating PAI-1 level increases with age, contributing to the increased thrombotic risk in age-related diseases. In contrast, partial PAI-1 deficiency protects patients from cardiovascular morbidity and extends life span. Decreasing circulating PAI-1 levels has both experimental and therapeutic value. RNA gene therapy can regulate the levels of target proteins, including those not amenable to traditional small-molecule or antibody-based therapies. Here, we developed a therapeutic approach to induce long-lasting PAI-1 knockdown in vivo with small interfering RNA (siRNA)–lipid nanoparticles (siPAI-1). One dose of siPAI-1 resulted in 90% knockdown of plasma PAI-1 and lasted 10 days after administration with no overt toxicity. siPAI-1 decreased thrombus weight after complete ligation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in young and aged mice and increased survival in aged mice 4 days post-IVC ligation. Hepatic PAI-1 mRNA expression in diet-induced obese mice was >10 times higher than in healthy mice and was exponentially correlated with body weight. One dose of siPAI-1 in obese mice resulted in 70% knockdown of circulating PAI-1. Furthermore, siPAI-1 normalized the supraphysiologic concentration of PAI-1 in aged mice and prolonged life span in a fast-aging mouse model. Thus, siRNA-mediated PAI-1 knockdown represents a long-term antithrombotic approach and effective strategy to limit pathologic impact of PAI-1 in aging and age-related diseases.

Article Details

Journal Blood
Volume / Issue Vol. 147, Issue 18
Published April 30, 2026
Pages 2053-2063
ISSN 0006-4971
Publisher Elsevier BV

Journal Info

Blood

Elsevier BV

ISSN: 0006-4971 Health Sciences

Authors (24)

F

Francesca Ferraresso

3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

C

Chad W. Skaer

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

Z

Zimu Wei

W

Woosuk S. Hur

2UNC Blood Research Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

H

Hongyin Yu

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

M

Monica Seadler

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

T

Taylor H. Y. Chen

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

W

Wen Dai

M

Manoj Paul

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

C

Catherine Lapointe

5Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

L

Laura M. Ketelboeter

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

H

Hayley Lund

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

G

Geoffrey G. Rodriguez

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

L

Lih Jiin Juang

2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

A

Amy W. Strilchuk

2Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Y

Youjie Zhang

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

P

Pieter R. Cullis

M

Mitchell R. Dyer

1Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

A

Allison L. Gerras

4Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Q

Qizhen Shi

Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI

J

James P. Luyendyk

Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States

M

Matthew J. Flick

2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UNC Blood Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Z

Ze Zheng

State Key Laboratory of Photonics and Communications, Center for Quantum Sensing and Information Processing, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 1 , Shanghai 200240,

C

Christian J. Kastrup

Versiti Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States