علاج مبتكر لإصلاح تلف القلب بعد النوبات القلبية باستخدام تقنية تعتمد  العضلات

Scientists at Columbia University have introduced a novel therapeutic strategy aimed at repairing heart damage caused by heart attacks by leveraging the body’s skeletal muscles to produce molecules that support cardiac recovery.

The adult human heart has very limited regenerative capacity. After a heart attack, damaged heart muscle is typically replaced by scar tissue, which cannot contract effectively, often leading to reduced heart function or heart failure over time. In contrast, newborn hearts have a natural ability to regenerate, which inspired the researchers’ approach.

The treatment centers around a protein called ANP, known to play a role in heart tissue repair. However, using this protein directly as a drug is not feasible because it degrades rapidly in the bloodstream before reaching the heart.

To overcome this limitation, researchers engineered skeletal muscle in the arms or legs to act as a “biological factory” by injecting specialized RNA molecules that instruct muscle cells to produce an inactive version of the protein. This inactive form safely circulates through the bloodstream until it reaches the heart.

Once at the heart, the protein is activated by enzymes present in the damaged tissue, allowing it to begin its repair function precisely where it is needed, reducing scarring and improving cardiac performance.

Preclinical trials in animal models showed that a single injection into a limb significantly improved heart function and reduced scar formation. Thanks to the use of self-amplifying RNA technology, the treatment continued producing the therapeutic protein for at least several weeks.

Notably, the therapy remained effective even when administered up to a week after the initial injury, offering potential benefits for patients who do not receive immediate medical intervention.

Despite these encouraging findings, the treatment is still in the animal testing phase. Further clinical studies are required to determine its safety and effectiveness in humans, as well as to evaluate any potential side effects from prolonged protein production within the body.

This approach represents a promising step toward more effective and less invasive treatments for heart repair following heart attacks, potentially harnessing the body’s own systems in combination with advanced biotechnology.