NEMESIS: An ANR funded project for Rmes - Nantes, Mint - Angers & ONIRIS - Nantes.

NEMESIS: Développement de plateformes nanoparticulaires de vectorisation de miARN pour le développement de stratégies innovantes de médecine régénératrice du disque intervertébral

This research project directed by Pr Johann Clouet (Rmes, Nantes) is granted by the French Research Agency (ANR) for the coming 4 years.

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD), which is the cause of much  is characterised by degradation of the extracellular matrix of the IVD and a loss of its role in spinal kinematics. kinematics. There is currently no aetiological treatment available. Our improved understanding of the role of microRNAs (miRs) in the in the pathophysiology of IVD, it is now possible to envisage the therapeutic use of miRs. of miRs. Rapidly degraded, miRs must be protected if they are to reach their target. reach their target. The NEMESIS project will therefore develop peptide-functionalised lipid nanocapsules (fLNCs) for intradiscal delivery of miRs. intradiscal delivery of miR155. The fLNC-miR155s will be successively produced, characterised and tested in vitro, ex vivo and in a preclinical sheep model of disc degeneration. Finally, a dogs suffering from low back pain will be carried out to provide clinical clinical proof of concept. NEMESIS will involve 2 laboratories INSERM (Rmes, Nantes - Mint Angers) and the Nantes Veterinary School.

https://anr.fr/Projet-ANR-22-CE52-0003