The NanoArt project targets heart failure (HF), a major healthcare challenge with significant economic impact, costing the EU approximately €29 billion annually. HF often results from myocardial infarction, where blocked arteries lead to substantial cardiomyocyte (CM) death. Adult CMs have limited regenerative capacity, contrasting with the remarkable regeneration seen in newborns. Our research has advanced cardiac regeneration by simulating the neonatal heart environment, promoting CM division in adult hearts. This was demonstrated using recombinant Agrin protein in animal models, but current delivery methods are invasive and impractical for repeated administration.

NanoArt proposes a novel solution: using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver Agrin modRNA directly to the injury site in the heart. This leverages the increased vascular permeability due to cardiac damage, facilitating targeted and efficient delivery.

The project also plans to study the embryonic myocardium´s microenvironment to identify additional factors influencing cardiac regeneration. Composed of experts in cardiac regeneration, nanomedicine, and industry, NanoArt aims to reawaken the regenerative abilities of the adult heart, offering a new avenue for cardiac recovery.
This innovative approach could revolutionize HF treatment, potentially introducing the first nanomedicine for cardiac regeneration therapy. It represents a significant stride in medical research, with the potential to drastically reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. If successful, NanoArt will not only advance the field of cardiac care but also set a precedent for treating other diseases using nanotechnology-based therapies.