Longevity & AgingAI-Designed Nanoparticles Reverse Liver Scarring by Restoring Tiny Pores in Liver Cells
Liver fibrosis involves the loss of microscopic pores (fenestrations) in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), a process called capillarization. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can reverse this, but clinical use is limited. Using AI, researchers identified that MSCs secrete miR-325-3p, a microRNA that restores LSEC fenestrations by modulating the cell cytoskeleton. They then built spherical nucleic acid (SNA) nanoparticles loaded with miR-325-3p that selectively enter fibrotic LSECs via the scavenger receptor Scara. In three distinct mouse models of liver fibrosis, these nanoparticles restored normal LSEC architecture, reduced fibrotic markers, and showed no significant toxicity, offering a promising cell-free alternative to MSC transplantation.
