miRagen Receives Notice of Allowance for Intellectual Property for MicroRNAs ...

BOULDER, Colo.--( BUSINESS WIRE )--miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients’ lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today that it has been issued a notice of allowance by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a patent titled “Micro-RNAs that Modulate Smooth Muscle Proliferation and Differentiation and Uses Thereof.” The patent covers methods of use in modulating miR-143, a microRNA demonstrated by scientists at miRagen and University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center to play a critical role in controlling smooth muscle cells at the site of vascular injury, which occurs in a variety of vascular disease states.

miRagen’s research demonstrates that miR-143 controls the switch between contractility and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, which reside within blood vessel walls in the network of arteries and veins that comprise the circulatory system. Restenosis, which is the formation of new blockages in an artery after it has been treated with angioplasty or stenting, often occurs when a vessel wall is damaged by intervention. This damage in turn causes smooth muscle cells in the vessel wall to switch from a contractile to a proliferative state, resulting in their growth and ultimately contributing to neointima formation and blockage at the site of injury.

Studies conducted by UT Southwestern and miRagen Therapeutics in a carotid artery ligation model demonstrated that the injection of synthetic mimics of miR-143 stopped blood vessel blockage by inhibiting stenosis at the site of vessel injury.

“Our data demonstrate that miR-143 can inhibit neointima formation at sites of vessel injury, and we are pleased that the USPTO recognizes that these data are valuable, teachable, and most importantly, may ultimately result in the development of enhanced therapeutic options for patients in need,” said William S. Marshall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. “This allowance confirms that it is possible to obtain broad method of use claims in the microRNA space with an appropriate demonstration of utility, and we anticipate that this is the first of many broad patents to be granted to miRagen based on our significant work and expertise in both the microRNA and cardiovascular fields.

Treatment for Carotid Artery Blockage Symptoms | Carotid Artery ...

If you are having carotid artery blockage symptoms, like paralysis, numbness, eyesight loss, dizziness and difficulty swallowing, be sure to have your doctor check on you thoroughly to determine the area where the arteries are blocked or if there is a blockage. This artery blockage, if left untreated, may cause more serious conditions like angina and possibly heart attack. If you are diagnosed with the symptoms, your doctor would be recommending you treatment.

Depending on the severity of the carotid artery blockage symptoms, your doctor may advise you to the following treatments and preventions:

Statins for cholesterol reduction. If you are at an age where medical procedure can’t be withstand by your body, your doctor may advise you to take statins that causes thinning of your blood to reduce the risk of blood clotting. Some doctors recommend patients with carotid artery blockage symptoms to take aspirin to make their blood thinner. Aspirin successfully makes your blood thinner that can prevent blood from clotting.

Stop smoking. Nicotine can add to the artery blockage besides developing lung cancer. Nicotine usually restricts the blood vessels and causes the heart to have difficulty of pumping blood.

Eat healthy. Eat more fruits and vegetables that would help your blood circulate well. Never eat foods with too much fat and cholesterol. Cholesterol build up is usually the number one cause for artery blockage. Avoid alcohol as much as possible as alcohol makes your blood thicker and it can have a deadly interaction with aspirin (when taken simultaneously), so be careful.

Get more exercise. Exercising helps your heart pump blood normally. Exercise can also help your blood circulation at a normal rate, keeping your blood pressure at a normal level.

You should always be aware that everything you eat or do can or cannot be a reason to cause carotid artery blockage symptoms. Now you know what to do or to eat to prevent this condition from happening, it is a matter of maintaining your lifestyle to successfully combat or treat artery blockage.

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