Efficient methods for delivery of antisense DNA or small interfering RNA (siRNA) are highly needed. Cationic materials, which are conventionally used for anionic oligonucleotide delivery, have several drawbacks, including aggregate formation, cytotoxicity and a low endosome escape efficiency. In this report a bio-reactive mask (i.e., disulfide unit) for cationic amino groups was introduced, and the mask was designed such that it was removed at the target cell surface. Insolubility and severe cellular toxicity caused by exposed cationic groups are avoided when using the mask. Moreover, the disulfide unit used to mask the cationic group enabled direct delivery of oligonucleotides to the cell cytosol. The molecular design reported is a promising approach for therapeutic applications.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1248/cpb.c19-00811 | DOI Listing |
Small
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801, Sherbrooke St. West, Montreal, QC, H3A 0B8, Canada.
Oligonucleotide therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA, offer promising avenues for modulating the expression of disease-associated proteins. However, challenges such as nuclease degradation, poor cellular uptake, and unspecific targeting hinder their application. To overcome these obstacles, spherical nucleic acids have emerged as versatile tools for nucleic acid delivery in biomedical applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
Background: Intrathecally (IT) delivered antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are promising therapies that can reduce tau pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, current plasma and CSF sampling methods to estimate brain tissue exposure of ASOs are inherently limited, hampering ASO clinical developmental plans. We developed the PET tracer [F]BIO‐687, which binds ASO conjugates (ASO‐Tz) in vivo, allowing us to image ASO distribution in a living brain using “pretargeted” imaging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Mater Chem B
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA.
Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells is critical for cell survival, proliferation, and cell fate determination. Misregulation of gene expression can have substantial, negative consequences that result in disease or tissue dysfunction that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. Several strategies to inhibit gene expression at the level of mRNA transcription and translation have been developed, such as anti-sense inhibition and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
Background: Intrathecally (IT) delivered antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are promising therapies that can reduce tau pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, current plasma and CSF sampling methods to estimate brain tissue exposure of ASOs are inherently limited, hampering ASO clinical developmental plans. We developed the PET tracer [18F]BIO‐687, which binds ASO conjugates (ASO‐Tz) in vivo, allowing us to image ASO distribution in a living brain using “pretargeted” imaging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe most common genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an intronic GC repeat expansion in C9orf72. The repeats undergo bidirectional transcription to produce sense and antisense repeat RNA species, which are translated into dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). As toxicity has been associated with both sense and antisense repeat-derived RNA and DPRs, targeting both strands may provide the most effective therapeutic strategy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!