Researchers at the Technical University of Munich in Germany have made significant progress in treating severe lung diseases such as COVID-19 by developing a An RNA agent that slows down the activity of overactive immune cells (macrophages).
The active substance, called RCS-21, is designed to combat severe lung inflammation and fibrosis, the scarring of lung tissue, as occurs in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study, published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, reveals how RCS-21 blocks the activity of microRNA 21, a molecule that triggers macrophage hyperactivity during severe lung infections.
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An important aspect of this research is how efficiently the active substance RCS-21 reaches the target cells. through an inhaler. The researchers discovered that macrophages Have sugar receptors on their surface that allow them to recognize and destroy bacterial and fungal spores in the lungs. Based on this knowledge, the team coupled RCS-21 to sugar molecules, specifically triglycerides, to enhance its uptake by macrophages.
Studies in mice showed promising results, since the active substance administered in aerosol form was significantly better absorbed by macrophages compared to the active substance without sugar molecules. Furthermore, other cell types showed no interest in these molecules, suggesting specificity of the treatment.
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In mouse experiments, RCS-21 were able to reduce the levels of microRNA 21 by more than half compared to control animals, which also resulted in a significant reduction in fibrosis and inflammation following treatment.
In addition, RCS-21 has been shown to effectively prevent the increase in microRNA-21 activity in samples. Human lung tissue infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in the laboratory.
This innovative approach could open up new perspectives in the treatment of severe lung disease, and has the potential to open up new perspectives for the treatment of COVID-19 cases with severe lung damage. However, further research and clinical trials are still required to fully verify the safety and efficacy of RCS-21 RNA drugs before being used in human patients.
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