Deeper Dive
It is widely known that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, yet it is less often recognized that endothelial cell aging is a root cause. Current treatment methods largely manage symptoms without addressing the underlying cellular damage, leading to deteriorating blood vessels that fall into the trap of plaque buildup. miRNAs are emerging RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and play critical roles in cellular functions. I designed a therapeutic approach to deliver anti-aging miRNAs via microneedle patches and discovered that young exosome-derived miRNAs, such as miR-26a-5p, downregulate the expression of various aging-related markers, including senescence, DNA damage, and inflammation. I determined that microneedle patches are an advantageous delivery method due to their minimally invasive nature and ability to execute sustained drug release.
My research has the potential to fill the gap in CVD treatments by targeting the root cause — endothelial cell aging. By employing novel miRNAs to reduce endothelial cell aging, VAMPIRE is repairing blood vessels and reversing time to treat and prevent the progression of CVDs. This approach could also inspire other researchers to explore microneedle patch-delivered miRNAs to combat a wide range of health issues. I hope to continue this work so that one day I will see VAMPIRE on the market — and see fewer people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.