title: Antisense oligonucleotides inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor expression in normal human epidermal keratinocytes.
abstract: In psoriatic lesions, epidermal keratinocytes overexpress vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha). TGF-alpha has been shown to induce VEGF/VPF in normal human epidermal keratinocytes in vitro. By using a 19-mer antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (PS-ODN) complementary to bases 6-24 relative to the translational start site of the VEGF/VPF mRNA, the control sense and mismatched PS-ODNs, we examined modulation of VEGF/VPF induction by TGF-alpha in vitro. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes were treated with PS-ODNs and Lipofectin for 8 h prior to the addition of TGF-alpha. Inhibition was assayed at the level of secreted protein by capture ELISA and mRNA expression was assayed by Northern blot analysis. The anti-sense PS-ODN was capable of inhibiting VEGF/VPF RNA and protein to near-basal levels. This inhibition was concentration dependent. No effect was observed with the sense or mismatch control PS-ODNs. These studies suggest that antisense oligonucleotide technology may be a potential therapy for the inhibition of angiogenesis associated with certain skin disorders such as psoriasis.
authors.affiliation: Hybridon Incorporated, Worcester, Massachussetts 01605, U.S.A.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rook
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Detmar
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors