Each year, more than 4,000 Australians living with diabetes have a limb amputated as their wounds struggle to heal properly.
But could an innovative new treatment prevent this?
Armed with a grant from The Hospital Research Foundation Group (THRFG), Dr Emma Solly, a postdoctoral researcher at SAHMRI, believes a molecule called miR-181c may hold the key.
Previous research by Dr Solly, also funded by THRFG, found that a crucial process called angiogenesis (where new blood vessels form from pre-existing ones) could be restored when the molecule is blocked.
“I showed that this occurred through the regulation of genes that are already known to control blood vessel growth as well as other pathways that promote wound healing and recovery,” she said.
When it comes to wound healing, the formation of new blood vessels through angiogenesis is critical, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients to the tissue.
However, Dr Solly has been able to show in the lab that miR-181c is overexpressed, preventing the blood vessels forming and slowing the healing process.
Her team has also previously shown that the molecule is increased in a population of Indigenous Australians who have diabetes-related vascular complications.
Dr Solly’s newest study builds on these past findings, with the next step to develop a targeted therapy to restore blood vessel growth using new nanoparticle technology.
“This nanoparticle works by incorporating a molecule that is sensitive to low oxygen environments,” she said.
“In low oxygen, like in a wound, this molecule gets broken down, which then allows release of the miR-181c inhibitor. Release of this inhibitor only at sites where it is required will increase the effectiveness of the therapy and limit off-target effects.”
Dr Solly said this could potentially be administered through a single injection directly to the wound.
This would be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes living regionally, who are up to 11 times more likely to be hospitalised for a diabetes-related limb amputation compared with those who live closer to the city.
We look forward to keeping you updated on this exciting project.
