RTP801 gene expression is differentially upregulated in retinopathy and is silenced by PF-04523655, a 19-Mer siRNA directed against RTP801.
OBJECTIVE
The intraocular pharmacodynamics of PF-04523655, a small-interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against RTP801, was characterized using rat models of retinopathy.


METHODS
Rat models of streptozotocin-induced diabetes and wet AMD were used to determine the onset, extent, and duration of siRNA inhibition of retinal RTP801 expression by PF-04523655, and this inhibition was characterized by pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling. A rat model of wet AMD was also used to examine PF-04523655 dose-dependent effects on the incidence of clinical grade 3 or 4 choroidal neovascularization lesions. Whole homogenate versus laser-capture microdissected (LCM) retinal samples were analyzed by quantitative PCR for RTP801 expression.


RESULTS
RTP801 expression in RPE/choroid (RPE/C) increased in diabetic rats by up to 70% above nondiabetic rat levels. Inhibition of retinal RTP801 expression by PF-04523655 began 1 day after intravitreous injection and was observed through day 7 in the neurosensory retina and through day 14 or longer in RPE/C. PF-04523655 inhibition of RTP801 expression was maintained well after clearance of PF-04523655 from the eye and was best characterized by an effect compartment PK/PD model. Moreover, PF-04523655 administration decreased the incidence of clinical grade 3 or 4 lesions by approximately 60% (P = 0.053), and dose-dependently inhibited retinal RTP801 expression (P < 0.01). RTP801 expression was enriched in the outer nuclear layer in LCM samples.


CONCLUSIONS
In rodent retinopathy models, administration of the siRNA, PF-04523655, reduced RTP801 expression in the retina, consistent with the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) mechanism of action. The pharmacodynamic profile from the animal models could be useful to elucidate dose and exposure dependency of RTP801 expression inhibition by siRNA.
Ophthalmology External Research Unit, External R&D Innovations, Pfizer, Inc., San Diego, California.
Kay D
KD
Rittenhouse
Theodore R
TR
Johnson
Paolo
P
Vicini
Brad
B
Hirakawa
Dalia
D
Kalabat
Amy H
AH
Yang
Wenhu
W
Huang
Anthony S
AS
Basile
D000818:Animals; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014157:Transcription Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*
C000632146:Ddit4 protein, rat; C576360:PF-04523655; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors
gene expression, PK/PD, hypoxia, retinal pigment epithelium, retinal ischemia