Maresin-2 promotes mucosal repair and has therapeutic potential when encapsulated in thermostable nanoparticles

Resolution of inflammation and mucosal wound healing are crucial processes required to re-establish homeostasis following injury of mucosal tissues. Maresin-2 (MaR2), a lipid specialized pro-resolving mediator derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has been reported to promote resolution of inflammation. However, a potential role for MaR2 in regulating mucosal repair remains undefined. Using lipidomic analyses, we demonstrate biosynthesis of MaR2 in healing intestinal mucosal wounds in vivo. Importantly, administration of exogenous MaR2 promoted mucosal repair following dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis or biopsy-induced colonic mucosal injury. Functional analyses revealed that MaR2 promotes mucosal wound repair by driving intestinal epithelial migration through activation of focal cell-matrix adhesion signaling in primary human intestinal epithelial cells. Because of its labile nature, MaR2 is easily degradable and requires ultracold storage to maintain functionality. Thus, we created thermostable polylactic acid MaR2 nanoparticles that retain biological activity following extended storage at 4 °C or above. Taken together, these results establish MaR2 as a potent pro-repair lipid mediator with broad therapeutic potential for use in promoting mucosal repair in inflammatory diseases.