A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed a tiny patch that could help the heart heal after a heart attack.
Led by Dr. Ke Huang, the scientists created a microneedle patch that delivers a healing molecule directly into the damaged part of the heart.
This method helps promote recovery without affecting the rest of the body.
The patch is made of a biodegradable material and contains small needles filled with microscopic particles. These particles carry interleukin-4 (IL-4), a molecule that helps control immune responses.
When the patch is placed on the heart, the needles dissolve and release IL-4 right into the injured tissue, giving the heart a better chance to recover.
Heart attacks happen when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, cutting off oxygen and nutrients. This causes heart muscle cells to die, and the body responds by creating scar tissue.
While this scar helps hold the heart together, it doesn’t contract like healthy muscle. This means the rest of the heart has to work harder, which can lead to heart failure over time.
Dr. Huang and his team believe that their patch can slow or even stop this damage. The IL-4 in the patch helps change the behavior of immune cells called macrophages.
These cells can either cause more inflammation or help heal the heart, depending on the signals they receive. IL-4 encourages them to switch to a healing mode, which can reduce scar tissue and improve recovery.
In the past, scientists tried to deliver IL-4 through the bloodstream, but it caused side effects in other parts of the body. The patch solves this problem by targeting just the heart. “Systemic delivery affects the whole body,” Huang explained. “We wanted to target just the heart.”
The researchers also found some unexpected benefits. After using the patch, heart muscle cells started communicating more with nearby blood vessel cells. This new interaction seemed to help the heart heal even more effectively.
The team also noticed a decrease in harmful signals and an increase in helpful ones, including a boost in a pathway called NPR1 that supports healthy blood vessels and heart function.
Currently, the patch needs to be placed through open-chest surgery. But Huang hopes to create a version that can be applied using a small tube, making it easier for doctors to use. “We’ve proven the concept. Now we want to optimize the design and delivery,” he said.
The project also involves a collaboration with Professor Xiaoqing (Jade) Wang, who is helping to build an AI model that maps how the immune system responds to treatment. This could help guide future versions of the patch.
This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association and was published in the journal Cell Biomaterials.
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