rAAV-mediated multi-miRNA delivery targeting MAPK pathway suppresses laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in mice.

rAAV-mediated delivery of multiple miRNAs targeting MAPK signaling suppresses laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in mice by reducing CNV leakage and angiogenesis.

• Why it matters: Age-related macular degeneration causes irreversible vision loss, and current anti-VEGF treatments have limited efficacy and require frequent injections, highlighting the need for alternative therapies.
• What they did: Researchers developed two rAAV2.7m8-based strategies delivering three MAPK-targeting miRNAs, either as a mixture or tandem, and tested their effects in oxidative stress-induced RPE cells and laser-induced CNV mouse models.
• The result: Both formulations effectively inhibited MAPK activation and reduced CNV leakage and angiogenesis, with the miRNA mixture additionally suppressing EMT and subretinal fibrosis, indicating potential for sustained gene therapy in AMD.