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Alharbi AS, Garcin AJ, Lennox KA, Pradeloux S, Wong C, Straub S, Valentin R, Pépin G, Li HM, Nold MF, Nold-Petry CA, Behlke MA, Gantier MP. Rational design of antisense oligonucleotides modulating the activity of TLR7/8 agonists. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:7052-7065. [PMID: 32544249 PMCID: PMC7367172 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics have become a reality, and are set to transform management of many diseases. Nevertheless, the modulatory activities of these molecules on immune responses remain incompletely defined. Here, we show that gene targeting 2′-O-methyl (2′OMe) gapmer antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) can have opposing activities on Toll-Like Receptors 7 and 8 (TLR7/8), leading to divergent suppression of TLR7 and activation of TLR8, in a sequence-dependent manner. Surprisingly, TLR8 potentiation by the gapmer ASOs was blunted by locked nucleic acid (LNA) and 2′-methoxyethyl (2′MOE) modifications. Through a screen of 192 2′OMe ASOs and sequence mutants, we characterized the structural and sequence determinants of these activities. Importantly, we identified core motifs preventing the immunosuppressive activities of 2′OMe ASOs on TLR7. Based on these observations, we designed oligonucleotides strongly potentiating TLR8 sensing of Resiquimod, which preserve TLR7 function, and promote strong activation of phagocytes and immune cells. We also provide proof-of-principle data that gene-targeting ASOs can be selected to synergize with TLR8 agonists currently under investigation as immunotherapies, and show that rational ASO selection can be used to prevent unintended immune suppression of TLR7. Taken together, our work characterizes the immumodulatory effects of ASOs to advance their therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arwaf S Alharbi
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Turabah 29179, Saudia Arabia
| | - Aurélie J Garcin
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Kim A Lennox
- Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Coralville, IA 52241, USA
| | - Solène Pradeloux
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Christophe Wong
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Sarah Straub
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.,Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Roxane Valentin
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Geneviève Pépin
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Hong-Mei Li
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Marcel F Nold
- Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Monash Newborn, Monash Children's Hospital, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Claudia A Nold-Petry
- Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Mark A Behlke
- Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Coralville, IA 52241, USA
| | - Michael P Gantier
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Sarvestani ST, Stunden HJ, Behlke MA, Forster SC, McCoy CE, Tate MD, Ferrand J, Lennox KA, Latz E, Williams BRG, Gantier MP. Sequence-dependent off-target inhibition of TLR7/8 sensing by synthetic microRNA inhibitors. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 43:1177-88. [PMID: 25539920 PMCID: PMC4333393 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-microRNA (miRNA) oligonucleotides (AMOs) with 2'-O-Methyl (2'OMe) residues are commonly used to study miRNA function and can achieve high potency, with low cytotoxicity. Not withstanding this, we demonstrate the sequence-dependent capacity of 2'OMe AMOs to inhibit Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and 8 sensing of immunostimulatory RNA, independent of their miRNA-targeting function. Through a screen of 29 AMOs targeting common miRNAs, we found a subset of sequences highly inhibitory to TLR7 sensing in mouse macrophages. Interspecies conservation of this inhibitory activity was confirmed on TLR7/8 activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Significantly, we identified a core motif governing the inhibitory activity of these AMOs, which is present in more than 50 AMOs targeted to human miRNAs in miRBaseV20. DNA/locked nucleic acids (LNA) AMOs synthesized with a phosphorothioate backbone also inhibited TLR7 sensing in a sequence-dependent manner, demonstrating that the off-target effects of AMOs are not restricted to 2'OMe modification. Taken together, our work establishes the potential for off-target effects of AMOs on TLR7/8 function, which should be taken into account in their therapeutic development and in vivo application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush T Sarvestani
- Centre for Cancer Research, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - H James Stunden
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biomedical Center, University Hospitals Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Mark A Behlke
- Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Coralville, IA 52241, USA
| | - Samuel C Forster
- Host-Microbiota Interactions Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Claire E McCoy
- Centre for Cancer Research, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Michelle D Tate
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Jonathan Ferrand
- Centre for Cancer Research, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Kim A Lennox
- Integrated DNA Technologies Inc., Coralville, IA 52241, USA
| | - Eicke Latz
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biomedical Center, University Hospitals Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Bryan R G Williams
- Centre for Cancer Research, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Michael P Gantier
- Centre for Cancer Research, MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
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Xue HY, Liu S, Wong HL. Nanotoxicity: a key obstacle to clinical translation of siRNA-based nanomedicine. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2014; 9:295-312. [PMID: 24552562 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.13.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
siRNAs have immense therapeutic potential for the treatment of various gene-related diseases ranging from cancer, viral infections and neuropathy to autoimmune diseases. However, their bench-to-bedside translation in recent years has faced several challenges, with inefficient siRNA delivery being one of the most frequently encountered issues. In order to improve the siRNA delivery especially for systemic treatment, nanocarriers made of polymers, lipids or inorganic materials have become almost essential. The 'negative' aspects of these carriers such as their nanotoxicity and immunogenicity thus can no longer be overlooked. In this article, we will extensively review the nanotoxicity of siRNA carriers. The strategies for mitigating the risks of nanotoxicity and the methodology for evaluating these strategies will also be discussed. By addressing this often overlooked but important issue, it will help clear the way for siRNAs to fulfill their promise as a versatile class of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yi Xue
- School of Pharmacy, Temple University, 3307 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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Inosine-mediated modulation of RNA sensing by Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR8. J Virol 2013; 88:799-810. [PMID: 24227841 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01571-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (ADAR)-mediated adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is a critical arm of the antiviral response. However, mechanistic insights into how A-to-I RNA editing affects viral infection are lacking. We posited that inosine incorporation into RNA facilitates sensing of nonself RNA by innate immune sensors and accordingly investigated the impact of inosine-modified RNA on Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) sensing. Inosine incorporation into synthetic single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) potentiated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or alpha interferon (IFN-α) production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in a sequence-dependent manner, indicative of TLR7/8 recruitment. The effect of inosine incorporation on TLR7/8 sensing was restricted to immunostimulatory ssRNAs and was not seen with inosine-containing short double-stranded RNAs or with a deoxy-inosine-modified ssRNA. Inosine-mediated increase of self-secondary structure of an ssRNA resulted in potentiated IFN-α production in human PBMCs through TLR7 recruitment, as established through the use of a TLR7 antagonist and Tlr7-deficient cells. There was a correlation between hyperediting of influenza A viral ssRNA and its ability to stimulate TNF-α, independent of 5'-triphosphate residues, and involving Adar-1. Furthermore, A-to-I editing of viral ssRNA directly enhanced mouse Tlr7 sensing, when present in proportions reproducing biologically relevant levels of RNA editing. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that inosine incorporation into immunostimulatory ssRNA can potentiate TLR7/8 activation. Our results suggest a novel function of A-to-I RNA editing, which is to facilitate TLR7/8 sensing of phagocytosed viral RNA.
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