Abstract
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) poses significant clinical challenges due to progressive nerve degeneration and vascular insufficiency. To address both neural and vascular complications simultaneously, we employed an mRNA-based protein replacement therapy. In this study, leveraging mRNA template design, structure-based screening identified NGFR100W as a variant dissociating neuroprotective and nociceptive functions, demonstrating enhanced neuritogenic activity without pain sensitization. Additionally, transcriptome analysis of NGF mutants versus wild type further reveals the potential mechanism by which NGFR100W uncouples neuroprotective and nociceptive pathways. We cotransfected chemically modified NGFR100W mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) mRNA, and the conditioned media collected from this transfection promoted endothelial cell migration, tubulogenesis, and neurite outgrowth. In a diabetic mouse model, combination therapy with lipid nanoparticle codelivery of NGFR100W and VEGFA mRNA significantly improved blood flow in the plantar region and mitigated nerve function decline compared with monotherapy. Histological analysis showed increased microvessel formation and higher intraepidermal nerve fiber density in treated mice. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of NGFR100W and VEGFA mRNA coadministration for DPN, suggesting that protein supplementation via mRNA could offer a novel strategy for clinical intervention in some chronic medical conditions.
Article highlights:
We aimed to develop a dual-targeted mRNA-based therapy to address both neural degeneration and vascular insufficiency in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We identified NGFR100W as a mutation that enhances neuritogenic activity without pain sensitization and investigated its transcriptome to explore its ability to uncouple neuroprotective and nociceptive pathways. Combination therapy using lipid nanoparticles for codelivery of NGFR100W and VEGFA mRNA improved blood flow, increased microvessel formation, and preserved nerve function in a diabetic mouse model. This approach, which combines structure-based design and mRNA therapy, offers a novel strategy for decoupling protein functions and developing therapeutic molecules with specific functionalities.