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Updated: Feb 13, 2026
09:19
Intramyocardial Transplantation of MSC-Loading Injectable Hydrogels after Myocardial Infarction in a Murine Model
Published on: September 20, 2020
4.9K
Ameliorating post-infarction myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function via ROS-responsive hydrogel-mediated IL-11
Ting You1,2,3,4, Yong Zhang1,2,3, Haotao Su2,3
1School of Medicine South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
Bioactive Materials
|February 12, 2026
Summary
Interleukin-11 (IL-11) blockade reduces heart fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI). Encapsulating this antibody in hydrogels improved its delivery and cardiac function, offering a new anti-fibrotic therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Myocardial fibrosis, driven by fibroblast activation post-myocardial infarction (MI), significantly contributes to heart failure progression.
- Interleukin-11 (IL-11) is a key mediator in cardiac fibrotic pathologies.
- Targeting IL-11 presents a potential therapeutic strategy for myocardial fibrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IL-11 in post-MI cardiac fibrosis.
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of an IL-11-blocking antibody (hIL-11 MAB) for myocardial fibrosis.
- To explore a novel hydrogel-based delivery system for enhanced anti-fibrotic intervention.
Main Methods:
- Established a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI).
- Administered a single intrapericardial injection of hIL-11 MAB.
- Encapsulated hIL-11 MAB within reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive hydrogels for sustained delivery.
- Assessed cardiac structure, function, fibrosis, collagen deposition, and tissue stiffness post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Upregulation of IL-11 expression was observed in the mouse MI model.
- Single hIL-11 MAB injection showed modest attenuation of post-MI fibrosis.
- Hydrogel-encapsulated hIL-11 MAB significantly improved drug retention and therapeutic efficacy.
- Hydrogel-delivered hIL-11 MAB reduced scar fibrosis, thickness, and marginal zone area, preserving cardiac function and contractility.
- IL-11 blockade decreased collagen deposition and fibrotic tissue stiffness.
Conclusions:
- IL-11 is a validated therapeutic target for mitigating myocardial fibrosis.
- Sustained, localized delivery of IL-11 blocking antibodies via ROS-sensitive hydrogels enhances anti-fibrotic effects.
- This novel delivery strategy holds promise for improved treatment of heart failure post-MI.
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