DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL SUPERPARAMAGNETIC IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLE SMART DRUG FOR CONTROLLED DELIVERY TO THE ISCHEMIC MYOCARDIUM

There is currently no treatment for myocardial infarction and the inevitable progression to heart failure is a weighty global socioeconomic crisis. We have discovered that ephrinA1-Fc dramatically attenuates ischemic injury and subsequent dysfunction in both acute ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and chronically nonreperfused myocardial infarction (MI). Size and cost constraints associated with use of the mouse model of IRI/MI often prohibits simulation of clinically relevant therapeutic strategies. To circumvent these issues, we propose to develop a novel magnetic bead-based smart drug which can be delivered intravenously (IV) and then directed to the region of interest using magnetic forces applied to the animal's exterior. Specifically, we request support from the Brody Brother's Endowment to 1) create a magnetic bead-ephrinA1 carrier, 2) validate and optimize it in vitro, and then 3) test the efficacy of the best candidate in vivo compared to our intramyocardial administration method in murine IRI. Results from these proof-of-concept experiments will then be used as preliminary data to develop extramural applications designed to optimize delivery of this system and evaluate its translational potential using a larger animal model.

Scholars @ ECU