Development of SDF1alpha containing nanoparticles for the treatment of cardiovascular, Neurovascular, and skin impairments

The lack of effective treatments for myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury has been a major challenge in decreasing mortality rates from myocardial infarctions. Stromal cell-derived factor-1? (SDF-1?) is a key regulator of that effectively localizes endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to ischemic areas by inducing angiogenesis and increases cardiac cell survival. Normally, SDF and its analogs requires a direct injection to the heart with an open chest surgery. Thus, a less invasive delivery method is necessary to better leverage this treatment method.

The Woo and Rajadas Labs at Stanford created novel liposomal nanoparticles encapsulating SDF-1?. In contrast to the trauma and invasiveness associated with a direct myocardial injection, the invention enables a targeted approach to treating ischemic myocardium. The SDF-NPs are injected systematically, prolonging the circulation time of the compound and enabling a high accumulation at the damaged tissues. The liposomal nanoparticles serve an additional purpose in reducing side effects while increasing the pharmacological effects SDF-1?. The invention was shown to exhibit a cardioprotective effect against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury without harming cardiac tissue or arteries. Not only does this new delivery platform provide a non-invasive treatment method to increase survival rates from heart attacks, it also provides a new tool that can be used to improve the future of drug delivery.