Heart tissue does not have the ability to repair or regenerate damaged tissue itself, like other tissues in the body such as the hamstring muscles in the thigh or biceps muscle in the arm. Once heart muscle is damaged, previous healthy muscle tissue is replaced by fibrous non-functioning tissue. When this happens, the heart loses its ability to effectively pump blood throughout the body.
The Prolifagen Solution
Prolifagen uses a proprietary technology to combine miR302 with a hydrogel. This mixture, called PRO-302, can be introduced into damaged heart muscle, following a heart attack. PRO-302 will gradually release miR302 into the damage heart muscle over the next 7-10 days as the hydrogel dissolves. This one-time application can produce a proliferation of cardiomyocytes, which help regenerate damage heart muscle. As healthy heart muscle is established, the heart can once again effectively pump blood throughout the body.
microRNA (miR) Technology
While human heart muscle loses the ability to regenerate after birth, other vertebrates like the Zebra Fish have the capacity to heal and regenerate heart muscle following damage. The fact that heart muscle regeneration is possible in other species therefore raises the possibility that it is also possible in human hearts. Our scientists explored this potential and discovered microRNAs that control an evolutionarily conserved molecular mechanism (Hippo pathway) that regulates heart growth during embryogenesis. It is inactive in the adult heart; however, it can be activated by the therapeutic delivery of microRNA as demonstrated in multiple cell and animal models. Specifically, preclinical studies in mice and pigs have demonstrated that introducing miR-302 into damaged heart muscle can initiate the proliferation of cardiomyocytes, which can help regenerate damaged heart muscle. Thus, introducing microRNA(miR) to damaged human heart muscle offers the promise of proliferating cardiomyocytes in damaged heart muscle and regenerating heart muscle to restore normal heart function.
Hydrogel Technology
Hydrogels (Specifically Hyaluronic Acid) are bio-materials that have a jelly-like consistency and can absorb / retain large amounts of water. They have been safely used in a variety of medical applications, including drug delivery and supplementation for joint fluid. Prolifagen uses a specific hydrogel complex to slowly deliver miR 302 over the course of several days before dissolving. Any excess hydrogel is expected to be safely excreted in urine.
