Naked siLNA-mediated gene silencing of lung bronchoepithelium EGFP expression after intravenous administration

Oligonucleotides. 2009 Jun;19(2):163-8. doi: 10.1089/oli.2008.0175.

Abstract

The use of systemic siRNA therapeutics for RNA interference-mediated silencing of disease genes is limited by serum instability and inadequate biodistribution. We have previously reported on the EGFP gene silencing effect of chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles in the bronchoepithelium of mice lungs following intranasal delivery and improved serum stability and reduced off-targeting effects in vitro by incorporation of locked nucleic acid (LNA). In this study, we examine the pulmonary gene silencing effect of siLNAs targeting enhanced-green-fluorescent-protein (EGFP) in lung bronchoepithelium upon intravenous delivery of naked siLNAs and upon intranasal delivery of either naked siLNA or chitosan/siLNA nanoparticles. We show that naked siLNA administered intravenously efficiently reduces the EGFP protein expression. A similar effect is obtained with intranasal delivery of chitosan nanoparticles containing siLNA whereas intranasally instilled naked siLNA did not cause a knockdown.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bronchi / metabolism*
  • Chitosan / metabolism
  • Drug Carriers
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nanoparticles
  • Oligonucleotides
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Oligonucleotides
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • locked nucleic acid
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Chitosan