Spatiotemporal targeting of mRNA LNPs to the endometrium for the treatment of infertility
Thursday, July 17, 2025
11:16 AM - 11:27 AM EDT
Location: 124
Introduction: The endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, plays a large role in women’s health including menstruation and fertility [1]. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) provide a promising method of delivering therapeutic proteins but there is often a lack of specific targeting [2]. We set out to leverage unique features of the endometrium to improve mRNA uptake and targeting. The endometrium changes dynamically throughout the menstrual cycle in preparation for embryo implantation, including overexpression of integrins on the endometrial surface during the window of implantation (WOI).
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants will know
Define the change in biodistribution in mice after targeting ligands are added to LNPs.
Define the expression of LNPs with targeting ligands when the target is not present.
Demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeted LNPs in an infertility model.
Saed Abbasi – Research Associate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Jairo Ortiz – Sr. Research Specialist, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Emily Chen – Undergraduate Student, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Hongyu Feng – Masters Student, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Justin Hanes – Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Laura Ensign – Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
