Targeting modulation of the choroid plexus blood-CSF barrier and CSF hypersecretion via lipid nanoparticle-mediated co-delivery of siRNA and resveratrol

Abstract

Hydrocephalus is one of the most common neurological disorders, but pharmacotherapy options are currently lacking due to the complex pathogenesis. The blood-CSF barrier (BCSFB), consisting of choroid plexus (ChP) epithelial cells, is a crucial gate for the entry of peripheral immune cells and its dysfunction emerges as an important contributor to hydrocephalus pathology. Meanwhile, SPAK-mediated CSF hypersecretion in ChP epithelial cells plays an important role in hydrocephalus. Here, we fabricated a transferrin receptor-targeted nano-drug (siR/RSV@TNP) that can intelligently navigate to the blood-CSF barrier and prepared for combined delivery of resveratrol (RSV) and SPAK siRNA (siSPAK) for synergetic hydrocephalus therapy. As expected, siR/RSV@TNP fulfilled its function of knocking down SPAK expression, relieving inflammation and oxidative stress, retrieving blood-CSF barrier integrity, and ultimately preventing ventriculomegaly and hydrocephalus in male mice. Here, we demonstrate that targeting the choroid plexus blood-CSF barrier and cerebrospinal fluid hypersecretion offers a promising approach for alleviating hydrocephalus.