Simultaneously Modulating HIF-1α and HIF-2α and Optimizing Macrophage Polarization through the Biomimetic Gene Vector toward the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Abstract

In osteoarthritis (OA), articular cartilage is continuously submerged in a hypoxic environment throughout life, and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play a crucial role in OA progression. Among the various HIF phenotypes, HIF-1α positively contributes to maintaining the stability of the articular cartilage matrix. In contrast, HIF-2α has a detrimental effect, leading to chondrocyte apoptosis and exacerbating inflammation. Notably, there is currently no simultaneous regulation of HIF-1α and HIF-2α for OA treatment. Thus, the biomimetic gene vector (MENP) was developed for co-delivery of siHIF-2α and Mg 2+ to the inflamed regions in OA joints, comprising an inner core consisting of siHIF-2α and Mg 2+ and an outer M2 macrophage membrane. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that MENP effectively targets inflamed areas, efficiently silences HIF-2α, and facilitates HIF-1α-mediated cartilage restoration through Mg 2+ . Furthermore, it indirectly promotes the polarization of macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype through its action on inflamed synoviocytes. Overall, MENP is an efficient biomimetic vehicle for alleviating inflammation and promoting cartilage repair, representing an appealing approach for OA treatment.