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MicroRNA-Based Therapeutic Strategies for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension under Different Delivery Systems: Progress
Jiaxiang Chen1, Xiaoyu Zhang2, Jiagang Zhang1
1Department Cardiovascular Surgery,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Fuwai Yunnan Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650599, China.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
|June 19, 2026
Summary
MicroRNA (miRNA) delivery methods are crucial for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Hybrid delivery systems show promise by balancing efficiency and safety, potentially advancing PAH precision medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Molecular medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) presents significant morbidity and mortality, with current treatments offering limited prognostic improvement.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators with emerging potential as therapeutic targets for PAH.
- Effective delivery of miRNAs is critical for pulmonary hypertension therapy due to their susceptibility to degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pharmacological methods for regulating miRNAs in the context of PAH.
- To evaluate various delivery systems for miRNA-based therapies.
- To identify optimal strategies for miRNA delivery in pulmonary hypertension treatment.
Main Methods:
- Detailed review and comparison of pharmacological miRNA regulation techniques.
- Analysis of nucleoside analogues, viral vectors, non-viral vectors, and hybrid delivery systems.
- Assessment of delivery modalities for modulating miRNA pathways in preclinical PAH models.
Main Results:
- All evaluated delivery modalities demonstrated the ability to modulate miRNA pathways and impact PAH progression in preclinical settings.
- Hybrid delivery systems exhibited superior potential by effectively balancing delivery efficiency with improved safety profiles.
- Preclinical findings highlight the potential of specific miRNA targeting in PAH.
Conclusions:
- Significant challenges related to biosafety, long-term efficacy, and clinical translation persist for miRNA-based PAH therapies.
- Optimization of miRNA stability and targeted delivery specificity is essential for future clinical applications.
- Advances in miRNA delivery strategies may usher in a new era of personalized, precision medicine for PAH.
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