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Artificial microRNA scaffold. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.
Artificial microRNAs (short genetic sequences that controls proper function and growth of cells) can be used as a therapy to restore natural tumor suppression activity or to inhibit mutated microRNAs involved in cancer progression. However, microRNA vast potential is limited by the lack of efficient delivery vehicle capable of delivering miRNAs to cancerous cells.
This image shows two such microRNAs (a tumor suppressor microRNA and an anti-microRNA that inhibits a mutated tumor-promoting microRNA) combined with a polymer to form a stable woven structure. This synthetic net coats the tumor and delivers the two microRNAs locally to the cancer cells. These self-assembled microRNA structures remain functional in vitro (in cell culture) and in vivo (inside a model organism) and lead to nearly 90% tumor shrinkage following two weeks treatment using a mouse model.
Scanning electron micrograph.