Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Publication

A combinatorial approach for achieving CNS-selective RNAi

Ferguson, Chantal M
Godinho, Bruno M D C
Echeverria, Dimas
Hassler, Matthew R
Vangjeli, Lorenc
Sousa, Jacquelyn
McHugh, Nicholas
Alterman, Julia F
Hariharan, Vignesh
Krishnamurthy, Pranathi Meda
... show 3 more
Embargo Expiration Date
Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is an endogenous process that can be harnessed using chemically modified small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to potently modulate gene expression in many tissues. The route of administration and chemical architecture are the primary drivers of oligonucleotide tissue distribution, including siRNAs. Independently of the nature and type, oligonucleotides are eliminated from the body through clearance tissues, where their unintended accumulation may result in undesired gene modulation. Divalent siRNAs (di-siRNAs) administered into the CSF induce robust gene silencing throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Upon clearance from the CSF, they are mainly filtered by the kidneys and liver, with the most functionally significant accumulation occurring in the liver. siRNA- and miRNA-induced silencing can be blocked through substrate inhibition using single-stranded, stabilized oligonucleotides called antagomirs or anti-siRNAs. Using APOE as a model target, we show that undesired di-siRNA-induced silencing in the liver can be mitigated through administration of liver targeting GalNAc-conjugated anti-siRNAs, without impacting CNS activity. Blocking unwanted hepatic APOE silencing achieves fully CNS-selective silencing, essential for potential clinical translation. While we focus on CNS/liver selectivity, coadministration of differentially targeting siRNA and anti-siRNAs can be adapted as a strategy to achieve tissue selectivity in different organ combinations.

Source

Ferguson CM, Godinho BMDC, Echeverria D, Hassler M, Vangjeli L, Sousa J, McHugh N, Alterman J, Hariharan V, Krishnamurthy PM, Watts J, Rogaev E, Khvorova A. A combinatorial approach for achieving CNS-selective RNAi. Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 May 22;52(9):5273-5284. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkae100. PMID: 38348876; PMCID: PMC11109952.

Year of Medical School at Time of Visit
Sponsors
Dates of Travel
DOI
10.1093/nar/gkae100
PubMed ID
38348876
Other Identifiers
Notes
Funding and Acknowledgements
Corresponding Author
Related Resources
Related Resources
Repository Citation
Rights
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Attribution 4.0 International