A single RNA injection turns muscle into a heart-healing factory

Columbia researchers engineered RNA-lipid nanoparticles that, when injected into skeletal muscle, make pro-ANP. This inactive molecule travels to the heart and is activated by the enzyme Corin to become active ANP, promoting blood vessel growth, reducing inflammation, and limiting scar tissue to help repair the heart after a heart attack. Using self-amplifying RNA, a single injection can sustain activity for about four weeks, improving heart function and reducing damage in multiple animal models, including delayed treatment scenarios. The approach avoids direct heart delivery, offering a potentially simpler therapy with plans for a phase‑one safety trial and potential applications to other organs.