Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
09:53
In Vivo Nanovector Delivery of a Heart-specific MicroRNA-sponge
Published on: June 15, 2018
7.9K
Microfluidic Device Type Improves Heart mRNA Delivery In Vivo
Elisa Schrader Echeverri1, Hyejin Kim1, Bora Jang1
1Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|October 2, 2025
Summary
Formulation methods impact lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery. Using a herringbone mixer enhanced LNP heart delivery twofold compared to a bifurcating mixer, suggesting processing optimization for targeted delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are crucial for nucleic acid delivery.
- Current strategies focus on LNP chemistry or targeting ligands to improve non-liver tissue delivery.
- The formulation process remains an underexplored area for optimizing LNP delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of LNP formulation processes on tissue-specific delivery.
- To compare the efficacy of LNPs formulated using different mixers for heart delivery.
- To explore the mechanisms behind altered LNP biodistribution based on formulation.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of LNPs using herringbone and bifurcating mixers.
- Characterization of LNP biophysical properties.
- Assessment of protein corona adsorption.
- Spatial transcriptomics analysis of LNP delivery in a mouse model of atherosclerosis.
- Quantification of LNP delivery to heart tissue and specific cell types.
Main Results:
- LNPs formulated with a herringbone mixer showed a twofold increase in heart delivery compared to those from a bifurcating mixer.
- Both LNP formulations exhibited similar biophysical characteristics.
- Distinct protein coronas were observed on LNPs from different mixers, indicating formulation-dependent adsorption.
- Spatial transcriptomics revealed targeted mRNA delivery to atherosclerotic regions and cardiomyocytes post-intravenous injection.
Conclusions:
- The LNP formulation process significantly influences tissue-specific delivery, particularly to the heart.
- Herringbone mixer-based formulation offers a promising strategy for enhanced cardiac LNP delivery.
- Altered protein corona formation driven by formulation processing may mediate improved systemic delivery and targeting.
