Localized IL-35 mRNA Nanotherapy Shows Preclinical Results in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Published in Drugs development & discovery, Immunology, Journals, Nanomedicine.
Publication date: October 8, 2026. Research publication: October 7, 2026.
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report lipid nanoparticles designed for rectal delivery of therapeutic mRNA to inflamed colon tissue. Their Nature Communications paper describes glucocorticoid-derived ionizable lipids, with MP2, based on methylprednisolone, selected as the lead formulation.
The authors report 15-fold greater in vivo delivery efficiency than a formulation using SM102. This is an experimental delivery comparison, not evidence of a corresponding improvement in patient outcomes.
MP2 carrying interleukin-35 mRNA improved disease scores, preserved colon length and reduced inflammatory cytokines in acute and chronic mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease. In human colon biopsies studied outside the body, the nanoparticles delivered mRNA to immune, epithelial and endothelial cells; treated IBD biopsies also showed changes in T-cell subsets.
These results remain preclinical and do not establish clinical safety or efficacy. The paper is an accepted, peer-reviewed early version that may receive further editorial changes. Several authors disclose a related patent application.
Source: Cao and colleagues, Nature Communications, October 7, 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-78302-5.