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Zhan Y, Guo J, Hu P, Huang R, Ning J, Bao X, Chen H, Yan Z, Ding L, Shu C. A sensitive analytical strategy of oligonucleotide functionalized fluorescent probes for detection of nusinersen sodium in human serum. Talanta 2024; 275:126153. [PMID: 38692053 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease. Nusinersen sodium (NS) is the world's first antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drug for SMA precise targeted therapy. However, the limited half-life of oligonucleotides and their tendency to accumulate in hepatic and renal tissues presented significant challenges for clinical investigation and therapeutic drug monitoring. In this study, we proposed an analytical strategy based on the specific capture of oligonucleotide functionalized fluorescent probes by single stranded binding proteins (SSB) for ultra-sensitive and high-throughput detection of nusinersen sodium in human serum. The magnetic nanoparticles modified with single-strand binding protein (MNPs-SSB) selectively bonded to the red fluorescent quantum dots functionalized with oligonucleotides (RQDs-ssDNA) that were complementary to nusinersen sodium. Upon interaction with nusinersen sodium, RQDs-ssDNA formed a double-stranded complex (RQDs-ssDNA-NS), resulting in enhanced red fluorescence after magnetic separation as it was no longer captured by MNPs-SSB but remained in the supernatant. A quantitative analysis of nusinersen sodium in biological samples was successfully achieved by establishing a relationship between fluorescence intensity and its concentration. The detection signal F/F0 exhibited a linear correlation (R2 = 0.9871) over a wide range from 0.1 nM to 200 nM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03 nM, demonstrating the high specificity and rapid analysis time (only 30 min). This method provided a novel approach for sensitive, high-throughput, and specific analysis of nusinersen sodium and similar ASO drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujuan Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jingru Guo
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Penghui Hu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Ruiyan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Jiangyue Ning
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xingyan Bao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Haotian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Zelong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Li Ding
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
| | - Chang Shu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance (China Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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2
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Batistatou N, Kritzer JA. Comparing Cell Penetration of Biotherapeutics across Human Cell Lines. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:1351-1365. [PMID: 38836425 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.4c00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
A major obstacle in biotherapeutics development is maximizing cell penetration. Ideally, assays would allow for optimization of cell penetration in the cell type of interest early in the drug development process. However, few assays exist to compare cell penetration across different cell types independent of drug function. In this work, we applied the chloroalkane penetration assay (CAPA) in seven mammalian cell lines as well as primary cells. Careful controls were used to ensure that data could be compared across cell lines. We compared the nuclear penetration of several peptides and drug-like oligonucleotides and saw significant differences among the cell lines. To help explain these differences, we quantified the relative activities of endocytosis pathways in these cell lines and correlated them with the penetration data. Based on these results, we knocked down clathrin in a cell line with an efficient permeability profile and observed reduced penetration of peptides but not oligonucleotides. Finally, we used small-molecule endosomal escape enhancers and observed enhancement of cell penetration of some oligonucleotides, but only in some of the cell lines tested. CAPA data provide valuable points of comparison among different cell lines, including primary cells, for evaluating the cell penetration of various classes of peptides and oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nefeli Batistatou
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Joshua A Kritzer
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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3
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Harikai N, Kakuda H, Uchiyama T, Yamamoto T, Zaima K, Shinomiya K. Detection of the phosphorothioate oligonucleotide fomivirsen using a ligase detection reaction with polymerase chain reaction. ANAL SCI 2024; 40:965-971. [PMID: 38523232 DOI: 10.1007/s44211-024-00539-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to develop a simple and sensitive detection method for fomivirsen, a 21-nucleotide phosphorothioate oligonucleotide used as a nucleic acid medicine, using a ligase detection reaction. A ligation probe was designed to hybridize with fomivirsen and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, with a deoxyuridine part between the primer binding sites. The probe was ligated to a circular product by Taq DNA ligase, and the resulting product was converted to a linear form through the removal of the uracil base using uracil DNA glycosylase. The linear product was then quantified using real-time PCR. The developed method could detect 0.025-6.4 nM of fomivirsen in water and HeLa genomic DNA solutions and 0.6-160 nM of fomivirsen in mouse serum in combination with an extraction method based on alkalinization and neutralization. This method could be useful for not only detecting fomivirsen but also other functional oligonucleotides composed of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides. In summary, this study presents a practical and effective approach to the detection of the nucleic acid medicine fomivirsen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Harikai
- School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan.
| | - Haruka Kakuda
- School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Takumi Uchiyama
- School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Tsubaki Yamamoto
- School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Zaima
- School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
| | - Kazufusa Shinomiya
- School of Pharmacy, Nihon University, 7-7-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi, Chiba, 274-8555, Japan
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4
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Zhang H, Vandesompele J, Braeckmans K, De Smedt SC, Remaut K. Nucleic acid degradation as barrier to gene delivery: a guide to understand and overcome nuclease activity. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:317-360. [PMID: 38073448 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00194f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapy is on its way to revolutionize the treatment of both inherited and acquired diseases, by transferring nucleic acids to correct a disease-causing gene in the target cells of patients. In the fight against infectious diseases, mRNA-based therapeutics have proven to be a viable strategy in the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Although a growing number of gene therapies have been approved, the success rate is limited when compared to the large number of preclinical and clinical trials that have been/are being performed. In this review, we highlight some of the hurdles which gene therapies encounter after administration into the human body, with a focus on nucleic acid degradation by nucleases that are extremely abundant in mammalian organs, biological fluids as well as in subcellular compartments. We overview the available strategies to reduce the biodegradation of gene therapeutics after administration, including chemical modifications of the nucleic acids, encapsulation into vectors and co-administration with nuclease inhibitors and discuss which strategies are applied for clinically approved nucleic acid therapeutics. In the final part, we discuss the currently available methods and techniques to qualify and quantify the integrity of nucleic acids, with their own strengths and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heyang Zhang
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jo Vandesompele
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Nano- and Biophotonics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
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5
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Hill AC, Becker JP, Slominski D, Halloy F, Søndergaard C, Ravn J, Hall J. Peptide Conjugates of a 2'- O-Methoxyethyl Phosphorothioate Splice-Switching Oligonucleotide Show Increased Entrapment in Endosomes. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:40463-40481. [PMID: 37929104 PMCID: PMC10620785 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short, single-stranded nucleic acid molecules that alter gene expression. However, their transport into appropriate cellular compartments is a limiting factor in their potency. Here, we synthesized splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) previously developed to treat the rare disease erythropoietic protoporphyria. Using chemical ligation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (CL-qPCR), we quantified the SSOs in cells and subcellular compartments following free uptake. To drive nuclear localization, we covalently conjugated nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptides to a lead 2'-O-methoxyethyl phosphorothioate SSO using thiol-maleimide chemistry. The conjugates and parent SSO displayed similar RNA target-binding affinities. CL-qPCR quantification of the conjugates in cells and subcellular compartments following free uptake revealed one conjugate with better nuclear accumulation relative to the parent SSO. However, compared to the parent SSO, which altered the splicing of the target pre-mRNA, the conjugates were inactive at splice correction under free uptake conditions in vitro. Splice-switching activity could be conferred on the conjugates by delivering them into cells via cationic lipid-mediated transfection or by treating the cells into which the conjugates had been freely taken up with chloroquine, an endosome-disrupting agent. Our results identify the major barrier to the activity of the peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates as endosomal entrapment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa C. Hill
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
(ETH Zürich), Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - J. Philipp Becker
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
(ETH Zürich), Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Daria Slominski
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
(ETH Zürich), Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - François Halloy
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
(ETH Zürich), Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | | | - Jacob Ravn
- Roche
Innovation Center Copenhagen (RICC), Hørsholm 2970, Denmark
| | - Jonathan Hall
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
(ETH Zürich), Zürich 8093, Switzerland
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6
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Hedaya OM, Venkata Subbaiah KC, Jiang F, Xie LH, Wu J, Khor ES, Zhu M, Mathews DH, Proschel C, Yao P. Secondary structures that regulate mRNA translation provide insights for ASO-mediated modulation of cardiac hypertrophy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6166. [PMID: 37789015 PMCID: PMC10547706 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41799-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Translation of upstream open reading frames (uORFs) typically abrogates translation of main (m)ORFs. The molecular mechanism of uORF regulation in cells is not well understood. Here, we data-mined human and mouse heart ribosome profiling analyses and identified a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structure within the GATA4 uORF that cooperates with the start codon to augment uORF translation and inhibits mORF translation. A trans-acting RNA helicase DDX3X inhibits the GATA4 uORF-dsRNA activity and modulates the translational balance of uORF and mORF. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that disrupt this dsRNA structure promote mORF translation, while ASOs that base-pair immediately downstream (i.e., forming a bimolecular double-stranded region) of either the uORF or mORF start codon enhance uORF or mORF translation, respectively. Human cardiomyocytes and mice treated with a uORF-enhancing ASO showed reduced cardiac GATA4 protein levels and increased resistance to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We further show the broad utility of uORF-dsRNA- or mORF-targeting ASO to regulate mORF translation for other mRNAs. This work demonstrates that the uORF-dsRNA element regulates the translation of multiple mRNAs as a generalizable translational control mechanism. Moreover, we develop a valuable strategy to alter protein expression and cellular phenotypes by targeting or generating dsRNA downstream of a uORF or mORF start codon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar M Hedaya
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Kadiam C Venkata Subbaiah
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Feng Jiang
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Li Huitong Xie
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Jiangbin Wu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Eng-Soon Khor
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Mingyi Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- The Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - David H Mathews
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- The Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
- The Center for Biomedical Informatics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Chris Proschel
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Peng Yao
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- The Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
- The Center for Biomedical Informatics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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7
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Abdelaal AM, Sohal IS, Iyer S, Sudarshan K, Kothandaraman H, Lanman NA, Low PS, Kasinski AL. A first-in-class fully modified version of miR-34a with outstanding stability, activity, and anti-tumor efficacy. Oncogene 2023; 42:2985-2999. [PMID: 37666938 PMCID: PMC10541324 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02801-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Altered by defects in p53, epigenetic silencing, and genomic loss, the microRNA miR-34a represents one of the most clinically relevant tumor-suppressive microRNAs. Without question, a striking number of patients with cancer would benefit from miR-34a replacement, if poor miR-34a stability, non-specific delivery, and delivery-associated toxicity could be overcome. Here, we highlight a fully modified version of miR-34a (FM-miR-34a) that overcomes these hurdles when conjugated to a synthetically simplistic ligand. FM-miR-34a is orders of magnitude more stable than a partially modified version, without compromising its activity, leading to stronger repression of a greater number of miR-34a targets. FM-miR-34a potently inhibited proliferation and invasion, and induced sustained downregulation of endogenous target genes for >120 h following in vivo delivery. In vivo targeting was achieved through conjugating FM-miR-34a to folate (FM-FolamiR-34a), which inhibited tumor growth leading to complete cures in some mice. These results have the ability to revitalize miR-34a as an anti-cancer agent, providing a strong rationale for clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Abdelaal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Ikjot S Sohal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
| | - Shreyas Iyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Kasireddy Sudarshan
- Department of of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Harish Kothandaraman
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Nadia A Lanman
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Philip S Low
- Department of of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Andrea L Kasinski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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8
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Hedaya OM, Subbaiah KCV, Jiang F, Xie LH, Wu J, Khor E, Zhu M, Mathews DH, Proschel C, Yao P. Secondary structures that regulate mRNA translation provide insights for ASO-mediated modulation of cardiac hypertrophy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.15.545153. [PMID: 37397986 PMCID: PMC10312771 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.15.545153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Translation of upstream open reading frames (uORFs) typically abrogates translation of main (m)ORFs. The molecular mechanism of uORF regulation in cells is not well understood. Here, we identified a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structure residing within the GATA4 uORF that augments uORF translation and inhibits mORF translation. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that disrupt this dsRNA structure promote mORF translation, while ASOs that base-pair immediately downstream (i.e., forming a bimolecular double-stranded region) of either the uORF or mORF start codon enhance uORF or mORF translation, respectively. Human cardiomyocytes and mice treated with a uORF-enhancing ASO showed reduced cardiac GATA4 protein levels and increased resistance to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We further show the general utility of uORF-dsRNA- or mORF- targeting ASO to regulate mORF translation for other mRNAs. Our work demonstrates a regulatory paradigm that controls translational efficiency and a useful strategy to alter protein expression and cellular phenotypes by targeting or generating dsRNA downstream of a uORF or mORF start codon. Bullet points for discoveries dsRNA within GATA4 uORF activates uORF translation and inhibits mORF translation. ASOs that target the dsRNA can either inhibit or enhance GATA4 mORF translation. ASOs can be used to impede hypertrophy in human cardiomyocytes and mouse hearts.uORF- and mORF-targeting ASOs can be used to control translation of multiple mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar M. Hedaya
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Kadiam C. Venkata Subbaiah
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Feng Jiang
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Li Huitong Xie
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Jiangbin Wu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - EngSoon Khor
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Mingyi Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- The Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - David H. Mathews
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- The Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- The Center for Biomedical Informatics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Chris Proschel
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Peng Yao
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- The Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
- The Center for Biomedical Informatics, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
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9
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A Novel Hybridization LC-MS/MS Methodology for Quantification of siRNA in Plasma, CSF and Tissue Samples. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041618. [PMID: 36838605 PMCID: PMC9967190 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic oligonucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and small interfering RNA (siRNA), are a new class of therapeutics rapidly growing in drug discovery and development. A sensitive and reliable method to quantify oligonucleotides in biological samples is critical to study their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Hybridization LC-MS/MS was recently established as a highly sensitive and specific methodology for the quantification of single-stranded oligonucleotides, e.g., ASOs, in various biological matrices. However, there is no report of this methodology for the bioanalysis of double-stranded oligonucleotides (e.g., siRNA). In this work, we investigated hybridization LC-MS/MS methodology for the quantification of double-stranded oligonucleotides in biological samples using an siRNA compound, siRNA-01, as the test compound. The commonly used DNA capture probe and a new peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe were compared for the hybridization extraction of siRNA-01 under different conditions. The PNA probe achieved better extraction recovery than the DNA probe, especially for high concentration samples, which may be due to its stronger hybridization affinity. The optimized hybridization method using the PNA probe was successfully qualified for the quantitation of siRNA-01 in monkey plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and tissue homogenates over the range of 2.00-1000 ng/mL. This work is the first report of the hybridization LC-MS/MS methodology for the quantification of double-stranded oligonucleotides. The developed methodology will be applied to pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies of siRNA-01. This novel methodology can also be used for the quantitative bioanalysis of other double-stranded oligonucleotides.
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10
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Asa TA, Kumar P, Lee J, Seo YJ. Multiple ligation–Assisted recombinase polymerase amplification for highly sensitive and selective colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2. Talanta 2023; 252:123835. [PMID: 35985194 PMCID: PMC9375730 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this paper we present a new method for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), targeting a specific region “N gene.” Under isothermal reaction conditions, we integrated ligation (Lig; high selectivity) and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA; high sensitivity) processes, obtaining a robust method of detection. For point-of-care testing, we incorporated our laboratory-produced pyrophosphate ion (PPi)–sensing probe (PK-probe) for colorimetric analysis of the reaction. The total detection system was efficient and effective at diagnosing this RNA virus–mediated disease rapidly (30 min). In a full-genome SARS-CoV-2 study, our PK-probe/Lig-RPA system functioned with a limit of detection of 1160 copies/ml, with a single-mismatch level of selectively, and it was highly selective even in the presence of bacterial genomes commonly found in the human mouth and nose. This robust, straightforward, selective, efficient, and ultrasensitive colorimetric detection method, with potential for point-of-care analysis, should also be effective in detecting a diverse range of other RNA-based diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnima Alam Asa
- Department of Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, South Korea
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, South Korea
| | - Jaehyeon Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, 54896, South Korea
| | - Young Jun Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, South Korea.
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11
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Microflow LC-MS/MS to improve sensitivity for antisense oligonucleotides bioanalysis: critical role of sample cleanness. Bioanalysis 2022; 14:1365-1376. [PMID: 36625771 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2022-0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Quantitative bioanalysis of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) is crucial to study their pharmacokinetic properties. An ultrasensitive bioanalytical method is often desired for quantifying low-concentration ASOs. Results: Effects of microflow LC and sample cleanness on sensitivity improvement of ASOs were evaluated. Sixfold sensitivity improvement of ASO-001 was achieved using microflow LC-MS/MS compared with conventional analytical flow method. Different sample extracts (hybridization, SPE and protein precipitation) were evaluated for sensitivity improvement by microflow LC. More sensitivity improvement was observed in the cleaner sample extract. Conclusion: Microflow LC increases sensitivity for ASO bioanalysis. The cleaner the sample extract, the better the sensitivity improvement. An ultrasensitive hybridization microflow LC-MS/MS method with lower limit of quantification of 0.100 ng/ml was developed and qualified for quantifying ASO-001 in plasma.
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12
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Fang B, Shen Y, Peng B, Bai H, Wang L, Zhang J, Hu W, Fu L, Zhang W, Li L, Huang W. Small‐Molecule Quenchers for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer: Structure, Mechanism, and Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202207188. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202207188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Fang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing School of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University 127 West Youyi Road Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Yu Shen
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Bo Peng
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Hua Bai
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Limin Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Wenbo Hu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Li Fu
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing School of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern Polytechnical University 127 West Youyi Road Xi'an 710072 China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Teaching and Evaluation Center of Air Force Medical University Xi'an 710032 China
| | - Lin Li
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- The Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE, Future Technologies) Xiamen University Xiamen 361005, Fujian China
| | - Wei Huang
- Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics Xi'an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE) and Xi'an Institute of Biomedical Materials & Engineering (IBME) Northwestern Polytechnical University Xi'an 710072 China
- The Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE, Future Technologies) Xiamen University Xiamen 361005, Fujian China
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13
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Shin M, Chan IL, Cao Y, Gruntman AM, Lee J, Sousa J, Rodríguez TC, Echeverria D, Devi G, Debacker AJ, Moazami MP, Krishnamurthy PM, Rembetsy-Brown JM, Kelly K, Yukselen O, Donnard E, Parsons TJ, Khvorova A, Sontheimer EJ, Maehr R, Garber M, Watts JK. Intratracheally administered LNA gapmer antisense oligonucleotides induce robust gene silencing in mouse lung fibroblasts. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:8418-8430. [PMID: 35920332 PMCID: PMC9410908 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The lung is a complex organ with various cell types having distinct roles. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have been studied in the lung, but it has been challenging to determine their effectiveness in each cell type due to the lack of appropriate analytical methods. We employed three distinct approaches to study silencing efficacy within different cell types. First, we used lineage markers to identify cell types in flow cytometry, and simultaneously measured ASO-induced silencing of cell-surface proteins CD47 or CD98. Second, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to measure silencing efficacy in distinct cell types; to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time scRNA-seq has been applied to measure the efficacy of oligonucleotide therapeutics. In both approaches, fibroblasts were the most susceptible to locally delivered ASOs, with significant silencing also in endothelial cells. Third, we confirmed that the robust silencing in fibroblasts is broadly applicable by silencing two targets expressed mainly in fibroblasts, Mfap4 and Adam33. Across independent approaches, we demonstrate that intratracheally administered LNA gapmer ASOs robustly induce gene silencing in lung fibroblasts. ASO-induced gene silencing in fibroblasts was durable, lasting 4-8 weeks after a single dose. Thus, lung fibroblasts are well aligned with ASOs as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwook Shin
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Io Long Chan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yuming Cao
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Alisha M Gruntman
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, N. Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | - Jonathan Lee
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jacquelyn Sousa
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Tomás C Rodríguez
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Dimas Echeverria
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Gitali Devi
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Alexandre J Debacker
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael P Moazami
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | | | - Julia M Rembetsy-Brown
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Karen Kelly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Onur Yukselen
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Elisa Donnard
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Teagan J Parsons
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Erik J Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - René Maehr
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Diabetes Center of Excellence, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Manuel Garber
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Jonathan K Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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14
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Fang B, Shen Y, Peng B, Bai H, Wang L, Zhang J, Hu W, Fu L, Zhang W, Li L, Huang W. Small Molecule Quenchers for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer: Structure, Mechanism and Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202207188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Fang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Yu Shen
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Bo Peng
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Hua Bai
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Limin Wang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Wenbo Hu
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Li Fu
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Air Force Medical University Teaching and Evaluation Center CHINA
| | - Lin Li
- Nanjing Tech University Institute of Advanced Materials 30 South Puzhu Road 210008 Nanjing CHINA
| | - Wei Huang
- Northwestern Polytechnical University Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics CHINA
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15
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Suppression of mutant C9orf72 expression by a potent mixed backbone antisense oligonucleotide. Nat Med 2021; 28:117-124. [PMID: 34949835 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01557-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Expansions of a G4C2 repeat in the C9ORF72 gene are the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), two devastating adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders. Using C9-ALS/FTD patient-derived cells and C9ORF72 BAC transgenic mice, we generated and optimized antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that selectively blunt expression of G4C2 repeat-containing transcripts and effectively suppress tissue levels of poly(GP) dipeptides. ASOs with reduced phosphorothioate content showed improved tolerability without sacrificing efficacy. In a single patient harboring mutant C9ORF72 with the G4C2 repeat expansion, repeated dosing by intrathecal delivery of the optimal ASO was well tolerated, leading to significant reductions in levels of cerebrospinal fluid poly(GP). This report provides insight into the effect of nucleic acid chemistry on toxicity and, to our knowledge, for the first time demonstrates the feasibility of clinical suppression of the C9ORF72 gene. Additional clinical trials will be required to demonstrate safety and efficacy of this therapy in patients with C9ORF72 gene mutations.
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