Cell penetrating peptide conjugates of steric block oligonucleotides.
Charge neutral steric block oligonucleotide analogues, such as peptide nucleic acids (PNA) or phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO), have promising biological and pharmacological properties for antisense applications, such as for example in mRNA splicing redirection. However, cellular uptake of free oligomers is poor and the utility of conjugates of PNA or PMO to cell penetrating peptides (CPP), such as Tat or Penetratin, is limited by endosomal sequestration. Two new families of arginine-rich CPPs named (R-Ahx-R)(4) AhxB and R(6)Pen allow efficient nuclear delivery of splice correcting PNA and PMO at micromolar concentrations in the absence of endosomolytic agents. The in vivo efficacy of (R-Ahx-R)(4) AhxB PMO conjugates has been demonstrated in mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and in various viral infections.
Lebleu
Bernard
B
UMR 5235 CNRS, Université Montpellier 2, Place Eugene Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France. bernard.lebleu@univ-montp2.fr
Moulton
Hong M
HM
Abes
Rachida
R
Ivanova
Gabriela D
GD
Abes
Said
S
Stein
David A
DA
Iversen
Patrick L
PL
Arzumanov
Andrey A
AA
Gait
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D009841:Oligonucleotides; D020135:Peptide Nucleic Acids; D010455:Peptides