Systemic delivery of biotherapeutic RNA to the myocardium transiently modulates cardiac contractility in vivo

V Vladimir V. Shuvaev (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) Y Ying K. Tam B Benjamin W. Lee (Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania) J Jacob W. Myerson (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) A Alan Herbst (Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) R Raisa Yu. Kiseleva (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) P Patrick M. Glassman (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) H Hamideh Parhiz M Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh N Norbert Pardi H Hiromi Muramatsu (Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) T Tea I. Shuvaeva (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) E Evguenia Arguiri (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) O Oscar A. Marcos-Contreras (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) E Elizabeth D. Hood (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) T Taylor V. Brysgel (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) J Jia Nong (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) T Tyler E. Papp (Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) D Deborah M. Eaton (Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania) R Rachel Riley (Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania) R Rohan Palanki K Kiran Musunuru (Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania) J Jacob S. Brenner (Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania) M Michael J. Mitchell V Victor A. Ferrari (Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania) B Barbara L. Mui (Acuitas Therapeutics) S Sean C. Semple (Acuitas Therapeutics) S Sherry A. Weppler (Acuitas Therapeutics) P Pavan Atluri (Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) K Kenneth B. Margulies (Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania) D Drew Weissman V Vladimir R. Muzykantov (Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) represent a versatile platform for improving delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids. Yet, delivery to the myocardium remains a formidable challenge due to local barriers in the heart and systemic hindrances. In particular, plasma apolipoprotein E (apoE) directs LNP to the liver, limiting potential extrahepatic delivery. Here, we report a cardiotropic LNP (cLNP), which within 30 min post–intravenous injection accumulates in the heart of ApoE knockout ( Apoe −/− ) mice. The findings were confirmed for Apoe −/− rats and for wild-type mice after siRNA-mediated plasma apoE ablation. To test cardiac-specific functional effects as a proof of concept, we used cLNP loaded with siRNA to ATP2A2, encoding the sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ ATPase 2a (SERCA2A). This cardiomyocyte-specific protein is a key regulator of contractility and relaxation. Intravenous administration of cLNP/siRNA-ATP2A2 in Apoe −/− mice led to near-complete ablation of SERCA2A in the myocardium and a potent modulation of contractility of the cardiomyocytes obtained from these mice. In summary, cardiotropic nanocarriers may allow the delivery and effect of RNA and other agents to the myocardium. Achieving this unmet medical need promises new types of treatment for heart diseases, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 29
Published July 22, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (32)

V

Vladimir V. Shuvaev

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

Y

Ying K. Tam

B

Benjamin W. Lee

Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania

J

Jacob W. Myerson

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

A

Alan Herbst

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

R

Raisa Yu. Kiseleva

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

P

Patrick M. Glassman

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

H

Hamideh Parhiz

M

Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh

N

Norbert Pardi

H

Hiromi Muramatsu

Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

T

Tea I. Shuvaeva

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

E

Evguenia Arguiri

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

O

Oscar A. Marcos-Contreras

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

E

Elizabeth D. Hood

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

T

Taylor V. Brysgel

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

J

Jia Nong

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

T

Tyler E. Papp

Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

D

Deborah M. Eaton

Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania

R

Rachel Riley

Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania

R

Rohan Palanki

K

Kiran Musunuru

Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania

J

Jacob S. Brenner

Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

M

Michael J. Mitchell

V

Victor A. Ferrari

Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania

B

Barbara L. Mui

Acuitas Therapeutics

S

Sean C. Semple

Acuitas Therapeutics

S

Sherry A. Weppler

Acuitas Therapeutics

P

Pavan Atluri

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

K

Kenneth B. Margulies

Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania

D

Drew Weissman

V

Vladimir R. Muzykantov

Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania