Fibroblast-targeted MLN4924 suppresses autoimmune myocarditis by dually modulating IL-17A and TGF-β pathways

BACKGROUND: Myocarditis is a leading cause of heart failure in young individuals and may progress to dilated cardiomyopathy due to inflammation-driven cardiac fibrosis. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are key contributors to this process, mediating both IL-17A-driven inflammatory responses and TGF-β-induced fibrotic remodeling. However, effective therapies that concurrently target these dual pathological pathways in CFs are lacking. METHODS: We evaluated the neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). A fibroblast-targeted biomimetic nanoparticle (FMlipo@MLN4924) was engineered and its delivery efficiency and therapeutic effects were assessed in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Systemic MLN4924 treatment significantly alleviated myocardial inflammation, reduced cardiac fibrosis by approximately 50% and preserved cardiac function in EAM mice. Mechanistically, MLN4924 dually suppressed IL-17A-induced chemokine production and TGF-β-driven fibrotic activation in CFs. The FMlipo@MLN4924 system demonstrated more than a 2.5-fold increase in cardiac accumulation compared to non-targeted liposomes. This targeted delivery resulted in superior therapeutic efficacy, achieving enhanced suppression of immune infiltration and fibrotic remodeling with no observable toxicity. CONCLUSION: MLN4924 exerts dual anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in autoimmune myocarditis by regulating IL-17A and TGF-β pathways in CFs. Fibroblast-membrane camouflaging enhances MLN4924 delivery and performance, presenting a promising precision medicine strategy for immune-mediated cardiac injury with clear translational potential.