Steroid and lipid conjugates of siRNAs to enhance cellular uptake and gene silencing in liver cells.
Double-stranded short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) mediate post-transcriptional inhibition of gene expression in a variety of biological systems. However, human liver cells show poor uptake of these nucleic acids. In order to improve the delivery of siRNA into these cells without transfection agents, we have synthesized two series of lipophilic siRNAs conjugated with derivatives of cholesterol, lithocholic acid or lauric acid. The lipid moieties were covalently linked to the 5'-ends of the RNAs using phosphoramidite chemistry. The potency of these chemically modified siRNAs to inhibit reporter gene expression was further investigated in vitro with beta-galactosidase expressing liver cells.
Lorenz
Christina
C
Alnylam Europe AG, Fritz-Hornschuch-Str. 9, D-95326 Kulmbach, Germany.
Hadwiger
Philipp
P
John
Matthias
M
Vornlocher
Hans-Peter
HP
Unverzagt
Carlo
C
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D020868:Gene Silencing / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007850:Lauric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008095:Lithocholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007850:Lauric Acids; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C030358:lauric acid; D008095:Lithocholic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol