The application of modified mRNA in the treatment and prospective vaccine development for cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, significantly impacting the quality of life for millions of people individuals. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, including pharmacotherapy, interventional techniques, and surgical approaches, many challenges persist. In recent years, the development of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology has provided new possibilities for treating heart disease. mRNA therapy utilizes the body’s translation mechanisms to generate specific proteins that may restore or enhance heart function, demonstrating tremendous clinical potential. This review summarizes strategies to optimize the efficiency of modified mRNA (modRNA)-targeted cardiac delivery. We also review pre-clinical development of modRNA technology to modulate cardiovascular regeneration, cardiomyocyte proliferation, apoptosis inhibition, and fibrosis inhibition. Furthermore, we examine the design of modRNA vaccines to stimulate the immune system for the removal of abnormal cells or repair of damaged tissues in heart disease. Finally, we address the current challenges and limitations of mRNA-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases, highlighting opportunities for future advancements.