title: A galactose-functionalized dendritic siRNA-nanovector to potentiate hepatitis C inhibition in liver cells.
abstract: A RNAi based antiviral strategy holds the promise to impede hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection overcoming the problem of emergence of drug resistant variants, usually encountered in the interferon free direct-acting antiviral therapy. Targeted delivery of siRNA helps minimize adverse 'off-target' effects and maximize the efficacy of therapeutic response. Herein, we report the delivery of siRNA against the conserved 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of HCV RNA using a liver-targeted dendritic nano-vector functionalized with a galactopyranoside ligand (DG). Physico-chemical characterization revealed finer details of complexation of DG with siRNA, whereas molecular dynamic simulations demonstrated sugar moieties projecting "out" in the complex. Preferential delivery of siRNA to the liver was achieved through a highly specific ligand-receptor interaction between dendritic galactose and the asialoglycoprotein receptor. The siRNA-DG complex exhibited perinuclear localization in liver cells and co-localization with viral proteins. The histopathological studies showed the systemic tolerance and biocompatibility of DG. Further, whole body imaging and immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the preferential delivery of the nucleic acid to mice liver. Significant decrease in HCV RNA levels (up to 75%) was achieved in HCV subgenomic replicon and full length HCV-JFH1 infectious cell culture systems. The multidisciplinary approach provides the 'proof of concept' for restricted delivery of therapeutic siRNAs using a target oriented dendritic nano-vector.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India. jayaraman@orgchem.iisc.ernet.in.
authors.forename: Abirami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lakshminarayanan
authors.forename: B Uma
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Nallani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raghav
authors.forename: Vijay Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Ravi
authors.forename: Anuj
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Prabal K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Maiti
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jayaraman
authors.forename: Saumitra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D005690:Galactose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012367:RNA, Viral; D005690:Galactose