Targeted NANOmedicine to reverse FIBrosis in ischemic cardiomyopathies - NANOFIB

Project summary

Rationale: Cardiovascular diseases are leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. A major problem is the progressive formation of a non-contractile scar, leading to severe loss of cardiac function and death. There is a need to develop effective anti-fibrotic treatments, which currently do not exist Objectives: NANOFIB will explore new materials-based therapeutics that effectively treat cardiac fibrosis. Alginate-Sulfate Nanoparticles (NP) coated with anti-periostin antibodies (thus targetable to activated cardiac fibroblasts), and carrying anti-fibrotic siRNAs will be developed and tested in animal models of myocardial infarction Potential Applications: The developed NP will be then ready for clinical testing as a potential treatment for cardiac adverse remodelling Impact and potential benefits: NANOFIB major innovative outcome will be to deliver an advanced coated nanomaterial to be used as a gene therapy delivery system with a great impact on reducing cardiac fibrosis in EU.