mRNA-based technology for engineered regenerative medicine
Xueyan Zhen, Wei Chen, Wei Tao
Abstract
Regenerative medicine presents a transformative approach to repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs. While traditional gene therapies hold relatively long-lasting expression, concerns such as genomic integration risks, high costs, and regulatory complexities have limited their clinical application. The success of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines has introduced mRNA technology as a promising therapeutic platform, providing a potentially safe and translatable intervention for regenerative medicine. In this review, we provide deep insights into the advances in regenerative therapies with a focus on rationally designed mRNA techniques. We highlight mRNA-mediated strategies, including protein supplementation, cell reprogramming, and cell transdifferentiation, which enable precise control over cell fate. These modalities, driven by innovations in mRNA synthesis, chemical modifications, and nano-delivery platforms, mobilize cells by redirecting their differentiation toward specific types. Finally, we propose an integrated overview of preclinical and clinical progress, addressing challenges and the transformative potential of mRNA technology for clinical translation in engineered regenerative medicine.