1
|
Kumar V, Turnbull WB. Targeted delivery of oligonucleotides using multivalent protein-carbohydrate interactions. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:1273-1287. [PMID: 36723021 PMCID: PMC9940626 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00788f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Cell surface protein-carbohydrate interactions are essential for tissue-specific recognition and endocytosis of viruses, some bacteria and their toxins, and many glycoproteins. Often protein-carbohydrate interactions are multivalent - multiple copies of glycans bind simultaneously to multimeric receptors. Multivalency enhances both affinity and binding specificity, and is of interest for targeted delivery of drugs to specific cell types. The first such example of carbohydrate-mediated drug delivery to reach the clinic is Givosiran, a small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) that is conjugated to a trivalent N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) ligand. This ligand enables efficient uptake of the nucleic acid by the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) on hepatocytes. Synthetic multivalent ligands for ASGP-R were among the first 'cluster glycosides' developed at the birth of multivalent glycoscience around 40 years ago. In this review we trace the history of 'GalNAc targeting' from early academic studies to current pharmaceuticals and consider what other opportunities could follow the success of this delivery technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vajinder Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Punjab, India.
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - W Bruce Turnbull
- School of Chemistry and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Biessen EAL, Van Berkel TJC. N-Acetyl Galactosamine Targeting: Paving the Way for Clinical Application of Nucleotide Medicines in Cardiovascular Diseases. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2855-2865. [PMID: 34645280 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
While the promise of oligonucleotide therapeutics, such as (chemically modified) ASO (antisense oligonucleotides) and short interfering RNAs, is undisputed from their introduction onwards, their unfavorable pharmacokinetics and intrinsic capacity to mobilize innate immune responses, were limiting widespread clinical use. However, these major setbacks have been tackled by breakthroughs in chemistry, stability and delivery. When aiming an intervention hepatic targets, such as lipid and sugar metabolism, coagulation, not to mention cancer and virus infection, introduction of N-acetylgalactosamine aided targeting technology has advanced the field profoundly and by now a dozen of N-acetylgalactosamine therapeutics for these indications have been approved for clinical use or have progressed to clinical trial stage 2 to 3 testing. This technology, in combination with major advances in oligonucleotide stability allows safe and durable intervention in targets that were previously deemed undruggable, such as Lp(a) and PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9), at high efficacy and specificity, often with as little as 2 doses per year. Their successful use even the most visionary would not have predicted 2 decades ago. Here, we will review the evolution of N-acetylgalactosamine technology. We shall outline their fundamental design principles and merits, and their application for the delivery of oligonucleotide therapeutics to the liver. Finally, we will discuss the perspectives of N-acetylgalactosamine technology and propose directions for future research in receptor targeted delivery of these gene medicines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik A L Biessen
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany (E.A.L.B.).,Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, the Netherlands (E.A.L.B.)
| | - Theo J C Van Berkel
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, LACDR, Leiden University, the Netherlands (T.J.C.V.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brodyagin N, Katkevics M, Kotikam V, Ryan CA, Rozners E. Chemical approaches to discover the full potential of peptide nucleic acids in biomedical applications. Beilstein J Org Chem 2021; 17:1641-1688. [PMID: 34367346 PMCID: PMC8313981 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.17.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is arguably one of the most successful DNA mimics, despite a most dramatic departure from the native structure of DNA. The present review summarizes 30 years of research on PNA's chemistry, optimization of structure and function, applications as probes and diagnostics, and attempts to develop new PNA therapeutics. The discussion starts with a brief review of PNA's binding modes and structural features, followed by the most impactful chemical modifications, PNA enabled assays and diagnostics, and discussion of the current state of development of PNA therapeutics. While many modifications have improved on PNA's binding affinity and specificity, solubility and other biophysical properties, the original PNA is still most frequently used in diagnostic and other in vitro applications. Development of therapeutics and other in vivo applications of PNA has notably lagged behind and is still limited by insufficient bioavailability and difficulties with tissue specific delivery. Relatively high doses are required to overcome poor cellular uptake and endosomal entrapment, which increases the risk of toxicity. These limitations remain unsolved problems waiting for innovative chemistry and biology to unlock the full potential of PNA in biomedical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Brodyagin
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Martins Katkevics
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Venubabu Kotikam
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Christopher A Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Eriks Rozners
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Volpi S, Cancelli U, Neri M, Corradini R. Multifunctional Delivery Systems for Peptide Nucleic Acids. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:14. [PMID: 33375595 PMCID: PMC7823687 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of applications of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs)-oligonucleotide analogs with a polyamide backbone-is continuously increasing in both in vitro and cellular systems and, parallel to this, delivery systems able to bring PNAs to their targets have been developed. This review is intended to give to the readers an overview on the available carriers for these oligonucleotide mimics, with a particular emphasis on newly developed multi-component- and multifunctional vehicles which boosted PNA research in recent years. The following approaches will be discussed: (a) conjugation with carrier molecules and peptides; (b) liposome formulations; (c) polymer nanoparticles; (d) inorganic porous nanoparticles; (e) carbon based nanocarriers; and (f) self-assembled and supramolecular systems. New therapeutic strategies enabled by the combination of PNA and proper delivery systems are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roberto Corradini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (U.C.); (M.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bhingardeve P, Madhanagopal BR, Naick H, Jain P, Manoharan M, Ganesh K. Receptor-Specific Delivery of Peptide Nucleic Acids Conjugated to Three Sequentially Linked N-Acetyl Galactosamine Moieties into Hepatocytes. J Org Chem 2020; 85:8812-8824. [PMID: 32529829 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA analogs that bind with high affinity to DNA and RNA in a sequence-specific manner but have poor cell permeability, limiting use as therapeutic agents. The work described here is motivated by recent reports of efficient gene silencing specifically in hepatocytes by small interfering RNAs conjugated to triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc), the ligand recognized by the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). PNAs conjugated to either triantennary GalNAc at the N-terminus (the branched architecture) or monomeric GalNAc moieties anchored at Cγ of three consecutive PNA monomers of N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine (aeg) scaffolds (the sequential architecture) were synthesized on the solid phase. These formed duplexes with complementary DNA and RNA as shown by UV and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The fluorescently labeled analogs of GalNAc-conjugated PNAs were internalized by HepG2 cells that express the ASGPR but were not taken up by HEK-293 cells that lack this receptor. The sequential conjugate was internalized about 13-fold more efficiently than the branched conjugate into HepG2 cells, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy. The results presented here highlight the potential significance of the architecture of GalNAc conjugation for efficient uptake by target liver cells and indicate that GalNAc-conjugated PNAs have possible therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pramod Bhingardeve
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India
| | - Bharath Raj Madhanagopal
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Karkambadi Road, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Hemanth Naick
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Karkambadi Road, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Prashant Jain
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India
| | - Muthiah Manoharan
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Krishna Ganesh
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India.,Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Karkambadi Road, Tirupati 517507, Andhra Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Safdar H, Cheung KL, Vos HL, Gonzalez FJ, Reitsma PH, Inoue Y, van Vlijmen BJM. Modulation of mouse coagulation gene transcription following acute in vivo delivery of synthetic small interfering RNAs targeting HNF4α and C/EBPα. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38104. [PMID: 22675511 PMCID: PMC3365905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) are important for the transcriptional control of coagulation factors. To determine in vivo the direct role of HNF4α and C/EBPα in control of genes encoding coagulation factors, a synthetic small interfering (si)RNA approach was used that enabled strong reduction of mouse hepatic HNF4α and C/EBPα under conditions that minimized target-related secondary effects. For both HNF4α and C/EBPα, intravenous injection of specific synthetic siRNAs (siHNF4α and siC/EBPα) resulted in more than 75% reduction in their liver transcript and protein levels 2 days post-injection. For siHNF4α, this coincided with marked and significantly reduced transcript levels of the coagulation genes Hrg, Proz, Serpina5, F11, F12, F13b, Serpinf2, F5, and F9 (in order of magnitude of effect) as compared to levels in control siRNA injected animals. Significant decreases in HNF4α target gene mRNA levels were also observed at 5 days post-siRNA injection, despite a limited level of HNF4α knockdown at this time point. Compared to HNF4α, C/EBPα knockdown had a modest impact on genes encoding coagulation factors. A strong reduction in C/EBPα transcript and protein levels resulted in significantly affected transcript levels of the control genes Pck1 and Fasn and a modest downregulation for coagulation genes Fba, Fbg and F5. F5 and F11 were the sole coagulation genes that were significantly affected upon prolonged (5 day) C/EBPα knockdown. We conclude that in the mouse, HNF4α has a direct and essential regulatory role for multiple hepatic coagulation genes, while a role for C/EBPα is more restricted. In addition, this study demonstrates that synthetic siRNA provides a simple and fast means for determining liver transcription factor involvement in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huma Safdar
- Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Department of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Safdar H, Inoue Y, van Puijvelde GH, Reitsma PH, van Vlijmen BJM. The role of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α in regulating mouse hepatic anticoagulation and fibrinolysis gene transcript levels. J Thromb Haemost 2010; 8:2839-41. [PMID: 21029356 DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2010.04080.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
8
|
Abstract
The efforts towards peptide nucleic acid (PNA) drug discovery using cellular RNAs as molecular targets is briefly reviewed, with special emphasis on recent developments. Special attention is given to cellular delivery in vivo bioavailability and the possibilities of using PNA oligomers to (re)direct alternative splicing of pre-messenger (m)RNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Nielsen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Copenhagen, The Panum Institute, Blegdamsvej 3c, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Westerlind U, Westman J, Törnquist E, Smith CIE, Oscarson S, Lahmann M, Norberg T. Ligands of the asialoglycoprotein receptor for targeted gene delivery, part 1: Synthesis of and binding studies with biotinylated cluster glycosides containing N-acetylgalactosamine. Glycoconj J 2005; 21:227-41. [PMID: 15486455 DOI: 10.1023/b:glyc.0000045095.86867.c0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In order to develop the non-viral Bioplex vector system for targeted delivery of genes to hepatocytes, we have evaluated the structure-function relationship for a number of synthetic ligands designed for specific interaction with the hepatic lectin ASGPr. Biotinylated ligand derivatives containing two, three or six beta-linked N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) residues were synthesized, bound to fluorescent-labeled streptavidin and tested for binding and uptake to HepG2 cells using flow cytometry analysis (FACS). Uptake efficiency increased with number of displayed GalNAc units per ligand, in a receptor dependent manner. Thus, a derivative displaying six GalNAc units showed the highest uptake efficacy both in terms of number of internalizing cells and increased amount of material taken up per each cell. However, this higher efficiency was shown to be due not so much to higher number of sugar units, but to higher accessibility of the sugar units for interaction with the receptor (longer spacer). Improving the flexibility and accessibility of a trimeric GalNAc ligand through use of a longer spacer markedly influenced the uptake efficiency, while increasing the number of GalNAc units per ligand above three only provided a minor contribution to the overall affinity. We hereby report the details of the chemical synthesis of the ligands and the structure-function studies in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrika Westerlind
- Department of Chemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7015, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are synthetic oligonucleotides with chemically modified backbones. PNAs can bind to both DNA and RNA targets in a sequence-specific manner to form PNA/DNA and PNA/RNA duplex structures. When bound to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) targets, the PNA molecule replaces one DNA strand in the duplex by strand invasion to form a PNA/DNA/PNA [or (PNA)2/DNA] triplex structure and the displaced DNA strand exists as a single-stranded D-loop. PNA has been used in many studies as research tools for gene regulation and gene targeting. The D-loops generated from the PNA binding have also been demonstrated for its potential in initiating transcription and inducing gene expression. PNA provides a powerful tool to study the mechanism of transcription and an innovative strategy to regulate target gene expression. An understanding of the PNA-mediated gene regulation will have important clinical implications in treatment of many human diseases including genetic, cancerous, and age-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gan Wang
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 2727 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ro??i? M, Eklund R, Nordmark EL, Horvat ?, Widmalm G. Stereochemical Assignment of Diastereomeric Imidazolidinone-Ring-Containing Bicyclic Sugar-Peptide Adducts: NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Calculations. European J Org Chem 2004. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.200400391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
12
|
Kilk K, Elmquist A, Saar K, Pooga M, Land T, Bartfai T, Soomets U, Langel U. Targeting of antisense PNA oligomers to human galanin receptor type 1 mRNA. Neuropeptides 2004; 38:316-24. [PMID: 15464198 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2004.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2004] [Accepted: 06/19/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we have targeted positions 18-38 of the human galanin receptor type 1 (GalR1) mRNA coding sequence with different peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers. This region has previously been shown to be a good antisense region and therefore we aimed to identify the subregions and/or thermodynamic parameters determining the antisense efficacy. Nine different PNA oligomers were conjugated to a cell-penetrating peptide, transportan, to enhance their cellular uptake. Concentration-dependent down-regulation of GalR1 protein expression in human melanoma cell line Bowes was measured by radioligand binding assay. No reduction of GalR1 mRNA level was observed upon PNA treatment, thus, the effect was concluded to be translational arrest. Judging from the EC50 values, antisense PNA oligomers targeting regions 24-38 (EC50=70 nM) or 27-38 (EC50=80 nM) were the most potent suppressors of protein expression. No parameter predicted by M-fold algorithm was found to correlate with the measured antisense activities. Presence of some subregions was found not to increase antisense efficiency of PNA. Presence of a short unpaired triplet between nucleotides 33 and 35 in the target region was, on the other hand, found to be the most critical for efficient GalR1 down-regulation. Thus, the results are of high impact in designing antisense oligomers. Specific results of this study demonstrate 20-fold more efficient antisense down-regulation of GalR1 as achieved before.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Down-Regulation
- Humans
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/genetics
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/metabolism
- Peptide Nucleic Acids/genetics
- Peptide Nucleic Acids/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/chemistry
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptor, Galanin, Type 1/genetics
- Receptor, Galanin, Type 1/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalle Kilk
- Department of Neurochemistry and Neurotoxicology, Arrhenius Laboratories, Stockholm University, Svante Arrheniusvag. 21A, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|