1
|
Tsylents U, Siekierska I, Trylska J. Peptide nucleic acid conjugates and their antimicrobial applications-a mini-review. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL : EBJ 2023; 52:533-544. [PMID: 37610696 PMCID: PMC10618302 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-023-01673-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is a nucleic acid mimic with high specificity and binding affinity to natural DNA or RNA, as well as resistance to enzymatic degradation. PNA sequences can be designed to selectively silence gene expression, which makes PNA a promising tool for antimicrobial applications. However, the poor membrane permeability of PNA remains the main limiting factor for its applications in cells. To overcome this obstacle, PNA conjugates with different molecules have been developed. This mini-review focuses on covalently linked conjugates of PNA with cell-penetrating peptides, aminosugars, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and non-peptidic molecules that were tested, primarily as PNA carriers, in antibacterial and antiviral applications. The chemistries of the conjugation and the applied linkers are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uladzislava Tsylents
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabela Siekierska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Trylska
- Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [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
|
3
|
Dutta K, Das R, Medeiros J, Thayumanavan S. Disulfide Bridging Strategies in Viral and Nonviral Platforms for Nucleic Acid Delivery. Biochemistry 2021; 60:966-990. [PMID: 33428850 PMCID: PMC8753971 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled nanostructures that are sensitive to environmental stimuli are promising nanomaterials for drug delivery. In this class, disulfide-containing redox-sensitive strategies have gained enormous attention because of their wide applicability and simplicity of nanoparticle design. In the context of nucleic acid delivery, numerous disulfide-based materials have been designed by relying on covalent or noncovalent interactions. In this review, we highlight major advances in the design of disulfide-containing materials for nucleic acid encapsulation, including covalent nucleic acid conjugates, viral vectors or virus-like particles, dendrimers, peptides, polymers, lipids, hydrogels, inorganic nanoparticles, and nucleic acid nanostructures. Our discussion will focus on the context of the design of materials and their impact on addressing the current shortcomings in the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kingshuk Dutta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Ritam Das
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Jewel Medeiros
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - S. Thayumanavan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery- Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Stasińska AR, Putaj P, Chmielewski MK. Disulfide bridge as a linker in nucleic acids' bioconjugation. Part II: A summary of practical applications. Bioorg Chem 2019; 95:103518. [PMID: 31911308 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Disulfide conjugation invariably remains a key tool in research on nucleic acids. This versatile and cost-effective method plays a crucial role in structural studies of DNA and RNA as well as their interactions with other macromolecules in a variety of biological systems. In this article we review applications of disulfide-bridged conjugates of oligonucleotides with other (bio)molecules such as peptides, proteins etc. and present key findings obtained with their help.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Stasińska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland; FutureSynthesis sp. z o.o. ul. Rubież 46H, 61-612 Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Putaj
- FutureSynthesis sp. z o.o. ul. Rubież 46H, 61-612 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin K Chmielewski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland; FutureSynthesis sp. z o.o. ul. Rubież 46H, 61-612 Poznań, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Debart F, Dupouy C, Vasseur JJ. Stimuli-responsive oligonucleotides in prodrug-based approaches for gene silencing. Beilstein J Org Chem 2018; 14:436-469. [PMID: 29520308 PMCID: PMC5827813 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.14.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligonucleotides (ONs) have been envisaged for therapeutic applications for more than thirty years. However, their broad use requires overcoming several hurdles such as instability in biological fluids, low cell penetration, limited tissue distribution, and off-target effects. With this aim, many chemical modifications have been introduced into ONs definitively as a means of modifying and better improving their properties as gene silencing agents and some of them have been successful. Moreover, in the search for an alternative way to make efficient ON-based drugs, the general concept of prodrugs was applied to the oligonucleotide field. A prodrug is defined as a compound that undergoes transformations in vivo to yield the parent active drug under different stimuli. The interest in stimuli-responsive ONs for gene silencing functions has been notable in recent years. The ON prodrug strategies usually help to overcome limitations of natural ONs due to their low metabolic stability and poor delivery. Nevertheless, compared to permanent ON modifications, transient modifications in prodrugs offer the opportunity to regulate ON activity as a function of stimuli acting as switches. Generally, the ON prodrug is not active until it is triggered to release an unmodified ON. However, as it will be described in some examples, the opposite effect can be sought. This review examines ON modifications in response to various stimuli. These stimuli may be internal or external to the cell, chemical (glutathione), biochemical (enzymes), or physical (heat, light). For each stimulus, the discussion has been separated into sections corresponding to the site of the modification in the nucleotide: the internucleosidic phosphate, the nucleobase, the sugar or the extremities of ONs. Moreover, the review provides a current and detailed account of stimuli-responsive ONs with the main goal of gene silencing. However, for some stimuli-responsive ONs reported in this review, no application for controlling gene expression has been shown, but a certain potential in this field could be demonstrated. Additionally, other applications in different domains have been mentioned to extend the interest in such molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Debart
- IBMM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
The discovery of an ever-expanding plethora of coding and non-coding RNAs with nodal and causal roles in the regulation of lung physiology and disease is reinvigorating interest in the clinical utility of the oligonucleotide therapeutic class. This is strongly supported through recent advances in nucleic acids chemistry, synthetic oligonucleotide delivery and viral gene therapy that have succeeded in bringing to market at least three nucleic acid-based drugs. As a consequence, multiple new candidates such as RNA interference modulators, antisense, and splice switching compounds are now progressing through clinical evaluation. Here, manipulation of RNA for the treatment of lung disease is explored, with emphasis on robust pharmacological evidence aligned to the five pillars of drug development: exposure to the appropriate tissue, binding to the desired molecular target, evidence of the expected mode of action, activity in the relevant patient population and commercially viable value proposition.
Collapse
|
7
|
Beavers KR, Mares JW, Swartz CM, Zhao Y, Weiss SM, Duvall CL. In situ synthesis of peptide nucleic acids in porous silicon for drug delivery and biosensing. Bioconjug Chem 2014; 25:1192-7. [PMID: 24949894 PMCID: PMC4103755 DOI: 10.1021/bc5001092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are a
unique class of synthetic molecules
that have a peptide backbone and can hybridize with nucleic acids.
Here, a versatile method has been developed for the automated, in
situ synthesis of PNA from a porous silicon (PSi) substrate for applications
in gene therapy and biosensing. Nondestructive optical measurements
were performed to monitor single base additions of PNA initiated from
(3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane attached to the surface of PSi films,
and mass spectrometry was conducted to verify synthesis of the desired
sequence. Comparison of in situ synthesis to postsynthesis surface
conjugation of the full PNA molecules showed that surface mediated,
in situ PNA synthesis increased loading 8-fold. For therapeutic proof-of-concept,
controlled PNA release from PSi films was characterized in phosphate
buffered saline, and PSi nanoparticles fabricated from PSi films containing
in situ grown PNA complementary to micro-RNA (miR) 122 generated significant
anti-miR activity in a Huh7 psiCHECK-miR122 cell line. The applicability
of this platform for biosensing was also demonstrated using optical
measurements that indicated selective hybridization of complementary
DNA target molecules to PNA synthesized in situ on PSi films. These
collective data confirm that we have established a novel PNA–PSi
platform with broad utility in drug delivery and biosensing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R Beavers
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Materials Science, ‡Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and ∥Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Inhibition of HIV Replication by Cyclic and Hairpin PNAs Targeting the HIV-1 TAR RNA Loop. J Nucleic Acids 2012; 2012:591025. [PMID: 23029603 PMCID: PMC3457641 DOI: 10.1155/2012/591025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) replication and gene expression entails specific interaction of the viral protein Tat with its transactivation responsive element (TAR), to form a highly stable stem-bulge-loop structure. Previously, we described triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation-based vectors that efficiently deliver nucleotide analogs (PNAs) into the cytoplasm of cells. In particular, we showed that the TPP conjugate of a linear 16-mer PNA targeting the apical stem-loop region of TAR impedes Tat-mediated transactivation of the HIV-1 LTR in vitro and also in cell culture systems. In this communication, we conjugated TPP to cyclic and hairpin PNAs targeting the loop region of HIV-1 TAR and evaluated their antiviral efficacy in a cell culture system. We found that TPP-cyclic PNAs containing only 8 residues, showed higher antiviral potency compared to hairpin PNAs of 12 or 16 residues. We further noted that the TPP-conjugates of the 8-mer cyclic PNA as well as the 16-mer linear PNA displayed similar antiviral efficacy. However, cyclic PNAs were shown to be highly specific to their target sequences. This communication emphasizes on the importance of small constrained cyclic PNAs over both linear and hairpin structures for targeting biologically relevant RNA hairpins.
Collapse
|
9
|
Recent advances in chemical modification of Peptide nucleic acids. J Nucleic Acids 2012; 2012:518162. [PMID: 22991652 PMCID: PMC3443988 DOI: 10.1155/2012/518162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2012] [Revised: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) has become an extremely powerful tool in chemistry and biology. Although PNA recognizes single-stranded nucleic acids with exceptionally high affinity and sequence selectivity, there is considerable ongoing effort to further improve properties of PNA for both fundamental science and practical applications. The present paper discusses selected recent studies that improve on cellular uptake and binding of PNA to double-stranded DNA and RNA. The focus is on chemical modifications of PNA's backbone and heterocyclic nucleobases. The paper selects representative recent studies and does not attempt to provide comprehensive coverage of the broad and vibrant field of PNA modification.
Collapse
|
10
|
Das I, Désiré J, Manvar D, Baussanne I, Pandey VN, Décout JL. A peptide nucleic acid-aminosugar conjugate targeting transactivation response element of HIV-1 RNA genome shows a high bioavailability in human cells and strongly inhibits tat-mediated transactivation of HIV-1 transcription. J Med Chem 2012; 55:6021-32. [PMID: 22698070 PMCID: PMC3400927 DOI: 10.1021/jm300253q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The 6-aminoglucosamine ring of the aminoglycoside antibiotic neomycin B (ring II) was conjugated to a 16-mer peptide nucleic acid (PNA) targeting HIV-1 TAR RNA. For this purpose, we prepared the aminoglucosamine monomer 15 and attached it to the protected PNA prior to its cleavage from the solid support. We found that the resulting PNA-aminoglucosamine conjugate is stable under acidic conditions, efficiently taken up by the human cells and fairly distributed in both cytosol and nucleus without endosomal entrapment because cotreatment with endosome-disrupting agent had no effect on its cellular distribution. The conjugate displayed very high target specificity in vitro and strongly inhibited Tat mediated transactivation of HIV-1 LTR transcription in a cell culture system. The unique properties of this new class of PNA conjugate suggest it to be a potential candidate for therapeutic application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indrajit Das
- Université de Grenoble I/CNRS, UMR 5063, Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire, ICMG FR 2607, 470 rue de la Chimie BP 53 F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Jérôme Désiré
- Université de Grenoble I/CNRS, UMR 5063, Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire, ICMG FR 2607, 470 rue de la Chimie BP 53 F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Dinesh Manvar
- Center for the Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | - Isabelle Baussanne
- Université de Grenoble I/CNRS, UMR 5063, Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire, ICMG FR 2607, 470 rue de la Chimie BP 53 F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Virendra N. Pandey
- Center for the Study of Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | - Jean-Luc Décout
- Université de Grenoble I/CNRS, UMR 5063, Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire, ICMG FR 2607, 470 rue de la Chimie BP 53 F-38041 Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fabbri E, Brognara E, Borgatti M, Lampronti I, Finotti A, Bianchi N, Sforza S, Tedeschi T, Manicardi A, Marchelli R, Corradini R, Gambari R. miRNA therapeutics: delivery and biological activity of peptide nucleic acids targeting miRNAs. Epigenomics 2012; 3:733-45. [PMID: 22126292 DOI: 10.2217/epi.11.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA/RNA mimics extensively used for pharmacological regulation of gene expression in a variety of cellular and molecular systems, and they have been described as excellent candidates for antisense and antigene therapies. At present, very few data are available on the use of PNAs as molecules targeting miRNAs. miRNAs are a family of small nc RNAs that regulate gene expression by sequence-selective targeting of mRNAs, leading to a translational repression or mRNA degradation to the control of highly regulated biological functions, such as differentiation, cell cycle and apoptosis. The aim of this article is to present the state-of-the-art concerning the possible use of PNAs to target miRNAs and modify their biological metabolism within the cells. The results present in the literature allow to propose PNA-based molecules as very promising reagents to modulate the biological activity of miRNAs. In consideration of the involvement of miRNAs in human pathologies, PNA-mediated targeting of miRNAs has been proposed as a potential novel therapeutic approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Fabbri
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short synthetic single-stranded DNA sequences that bind to and induce the cleavage of homologous stretches of mRNA sequences. These result in targeted destruction of mRNA and correction of genetic aberrations. ASOs thus can act as drug molecules and potentially rectify many disease conditions. The broad range of applications reported in the literature highlights the advances in the field. AREAS COVERED This review covers different areas in which use of ASOs has been shown to have therapeutic effects. Some drugs in different stages of preclinical and clinical trials are discussed in detail. The problems faced and the strategies to surmount them are also described. The readers will gain an understanding of the recent developments in the field of ASOs with emphasis on their therapeutic applications. They will also become aware of the different strategies used for targeted delivery of ASOs and their stabilization, which may be useful for their work in this field, or in the area of nucleic acid therapeutics in general. EXPERT OPINION The design and application of ASOs for recognition of target mRNA sequences have become a fairly straightforward protocol. The main problem lies in designing ASOs which are stable in in vivo milieu. The delivery and bioavailability of the oligonucleotide to the site of action continue to be hurdles in the development of ASOs and therapeutic molecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Malik
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Department of Biotechnology , Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062 , India
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Duca M, Dozza B, Lucarelli E, Santi S, Di Giorgio A, Barbarella G. Fluorescent labeling of human mesenchymal stem cells by thiophene fluorophores conjugated to a lipophilic carrier. Chem Commun (Camb) 2010; 46:7948-50. [DOI: 10.1039/c0cc01918f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
|
14
|
Pandey VN, Upadhyay A, Chaubey B. Prospects for antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA) therapies for HIV. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2009; 9:975-89. [PMID: 19534584 DOI: 10.1517/14712590903052877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Since the discovery and synthesis of a novel DNA mimic, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) in 1991, PNAs have attracted tremendous interest and have shown great promise as potential antisense drugs. They have been used extensively as tools for specific modulation of gene expression by targeting translation or transcription processes. This review discusses the present and future therapeutic potential of this class of compound as anti-HIV-1 drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virendra N Pandey
- University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Upadhyay A, Ponzio NM, Pandey VN. Immunological response to peptide nucleic acid and its peptide conjugate targeted to transactivation response (TAR) region of HIV-1 RNA genome. Oligonucleotides 2009; 18:329-35. [PMID: 19006449 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2008.0152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Anti-human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) polyamide (peptide) nucleic acids (PNAs) conjugated with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) targeted to the viral genome are potent virucidal and antiviral agents. Earlier, we have shown that the anti-HIV-1 PNA(TAR)-penetratin conjugate is rapidly taken up by cells and is nontoxic to mice when administered at repeat doses of as high as 100 mg/kg body weight. In the present studies we demonstrate that naked PNA(TAR) is immunologically inert as judged by the proliferation responses of splenocytes and lymph node cells from PNA(TAR)-immunized mice challenged with the immunizing antigen. In contrast, PNA(TAR)-penetratin conjugate is moderately immunogenic mainly due to its penetratin peptide component. Cytokine secretion profiles of the lymph node cells from the conjugate-immunized mice showed marginally elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, which are known to promote proliferation of T lymphocytes. Since the candidate compound, PNA(TAR)-penetratin conjugate displays potent virucidal and antiviral activities against HIV-1, the favorable immunological response together with negligible toxicity suggest a strong therapeutic potential for this class of compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alok Upadhyay
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|