HDL Nanoparticles Have Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Can Topically Deliver miRNAs

microRNAs regulate numerous biological processes, making them potential therapeutic agents. Problems with delivery and stability of these molecules have limited their usefulness as treatments. It is demonstrated that synthetic high-density lipoprotein nanoparticles (HDL NPs) topically applied to the intact ocular surface are taken up by epithelial and stromal cells. microRNAs complexed to HDL NPs (miR-HDL NPs) are similarly taken up by cells and tissues and retain biological activity. Topical treatment of diabetic mice with either HDL NPs or miR-HDL NPs significantly improves corneal reepithelialization following wounding compared with controls. Mouse corneas with alkali burn-induced inflammation, topically treated with HDL NPs, display clinical, morphological, and immunological improvement. These results yield a novel HDL NP-based eye drop for patients with compromised wound healing ability (diabetics) and/or corneal inflammatory diseases (e.g., dry eye).