Dual-Shielding Approach for TNFα Silencing in Inflammatory Bowel Disease via Bioadhesive Microbeads

Thursday, July 17, 2025

5:46 PM - 5:57 PM EDT

Location: 120 B/C

Introduction: Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) α is a key player in Inflammatory Bowel Disease development¹. Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) offer a promising therapeutic approach by selectively modulating pro-inflammatory gene expression. However, their clinical translation is hindered by rapid degradation, low membrane permeability, and poor bioavailability². Here, self-assembling polyplexes made of PEGylated poly-Lysines (PLL) were designed to improve siRNA stability and transfection while mucoadhesive hyaluronic acid (HA)-based microbeads serve as a scaffold for polyplexes local and prolonged release (Fig 1).

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this activity, participants will know

Demonstrate improved TNFα silencing via polyplexes in vitro in LPS-activated macrophages
Enhance mucoadhesion in inflamed tissue by exploiting a polymer scaffold
Set up of a microfluidic method for HA-PEG hydrogel microbeads production

Léo Guilbaud – PhD Student, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Université catholique de Louvain; Kevin Vanvarenberg – Lab technician, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Université catholique de Louvain; Alessio Malfanti – Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova; Ana Beloqui – Associate Professor, Research Associate FRS-FNRS, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Université catholique de Louvain

Oral Abstract Speaker(s)

Valentina Marotti, Master’s Degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Techniques

PhD Student in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Université catholique de Louvain
Bruxelles, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium