Therapeutic angiogenesis by local sustained release of microRNA-126 using poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles in murine hindlimb ischemia

Severe clinical limb ischemia resistant to conventional treatments, including medication, percutaneous angioplasty, and bypass surgery, remains a serious health care problem. Therapeutic angiogenesis that induces angiogenesis at the ischemic site could be a novel and effective approach for this severe condition. Here, we developed a therapeutic approach combining microRNA-126 and a drug delivery system using poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles, which showed novel therapeutic potential on a mouse hindlimb ischemia model. This therapeutic approach could be a promising new strategy after verification of the safety and long-term therapeutic effects in clinical studies in the future.