Harnessing mRNA-lipid nanoparticles as innovative therapies for autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to potentially debilitating symptoms that require lifelong management. There are no cures for autoimmune diseases, and new treatments are urgently needed to improve patient outcomes. This review delves into the compelling advancements and ongoing challenges in harnessing mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as innovative therapies for autoimmune diseases. mRNA-LNPs enable a range of therapeutic approaches to combat autoimmune diseases, including targeted immune cell modulation, tissue regeneration, antigen-specific tolerizing immunotherapy, and in vivo chimeric antigen T cell therapies. To successfully advance this promising class of therapies to the clinic, key challenges must be addressed, such as mitigating unwanted inflammation caused by LNPs, overcoming biological barriers to delivery, and ensuring the long-term safety of mRNA-LNPs specifically in autoimmune contexts. Through their modular design, flexible application, and potential for cost-effective production, mRNA-LNP therapies offer exciting clinical potential to transform the management of autoimmune diseases.