mRNA nanomedicine
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
mRNA is a type of single-stranded RNA that corresponds to the genetic sequence of a gene and is read by a ribosome in synthesizing a protein. With advanced technology, mRNA can be artificially synthesized in vitro and delivered to the target cells. These artificial mRNA molecules can be translated by target cells to produce foreign proteins. This mRNA technology has become a promising candidate for developing vaccines and drugs.
Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs)
LNPs are nanoparticles composed of synthetic lipids. LNPs are used as a drug delivery vehicle for nucleic acids such as silencing RNA and messenger RNA. They are also widely used in the generation of several COVID-19 vaccines. The LNPs can provide higher stability to the mRNA when being introduced to human bodies.
Targeted delivery of LNP
One of the advantages of LNPs is that they can be chemically modified. This allows the LNPs to be conjugated with antibodies or aptamers, which guide them to be delivered to specific target cells in the human body efficiently. Targeted delivery of drug-loaded LNPs to tumor site can potentially lower the required therapeutic dosage and reduce the potential side effects of the drugs.