Extracellular vesicle mediated targeting delivery of growth differentiation factor-15 improves myocardial repair by reprogramming macrophages post myocardial injury

Objective Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have garnered considerable attention among researchers as candidates for natural drug delivery systems. This study aimed to investigate whether extracellular vesicle mediated targeting delivery of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) improves myocardial repair by reprogramming macrophages post myocardial injury. Methods EVs were isolated from macrophages transfected with GDF15 (EXO-GDF15) and control macrophages (EXO-NC). In vitro and vivo experiments, we compared their reprogram ability of macrophages and regeneration activity. Furthermore, proteomic analysis were employed to determine the specific mechanism by which GDF15 repairs the myocardium. Results Compared with EXO-NC, EXO-GDF15 significantly regulated macrophage phenotypic shift, inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and enhanced endothelial cell angiogenesis. Moreover, EXO-GDF15 also significantly regulated macrophage heterogeneity and inflammatory cytokines, reduced fibrotic area, and enhanced cardiac function in infarcted rats. Proteomic analysis revealed a decrease in fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) protein expression following treatment with EXO-GDF15. Mechanistically, the reprogramming of macrophages by EXO-GDF15 is accomplished through the activation of Smad2/3 phosphorylation, which subsequently inhibits the production of FABP4. Conclusions Extracellular vesicle mediated targeting delivery of growth differentiation factor-15 improves myocardial repair by reprogramming macrophages post myocardial injury via down-regulating the expression of FABP4. EXO-GDF15 may serve as a promising approach of immunotherapy.