C-REL-SPECIFIC SIRNA AND ITS USE FOR PREVENTING AND TREATING AUTOIMMUNE PSORIASIS
20180002698 · 2018-01-04
Inventors
- Qingguo RUAN (Shenzhen, CN)
- Youhai H. Chen (Philadelphia, PA)
- Tingting FAN (Shenzhen, CN)
- Yifan MA (Shenzhen, CN)
- Lintao CAI (Shenzhen, CN)
- Shaowen WANG (Shenzhen, CN)
- Xiaochun WAN (Shenzhen, CN)
Cpc classification
C12N2320/32
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
A61K47/18
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61K31/713
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61K47/34
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61K31/7105
HUMAN NECESSITIES
C12N15/1135
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
A61K9/0014
HUMAN NECESSITIES
C12N15/113
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
International classification
C12N15/113
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
A61K9/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61K31/7105
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
The present invention provides a c-Rel-specific siRNA and its use for preventing and treating autoimmune psoriasis. In particular, the c-Rel-specific siRNAs have sequences as shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1-2 or SEQ ID Nos. 3-4. In the present invention, small interfering RNA (siRel) specific to c-Rel are employed to inhibit c-Rel biosynthesis, and prevent and treat autoimmune psoriasis by inhibiting inflammatory factors relating to IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis.
Claims
1. A c-Rel-specific small interfering RNA for preventing and/or treating autoimmune psoriasis, having sequences as shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1-2 or SEQ ID Nos. 3-4: TABLE-US-00005 (SEQ ID No. 1) sense strand 5′ CAACCGGACAUACCCGUCUdTdT 3′ (SEQ ID No. 2) antisense strand 5′ AGACGGGUAUGUCCGGUUGdTdT 3′; or (SEQ ID No. 3) sense strand 5′ CAACCGAACAUACCCUUCUdTdT 3′ (SEQ ID No. 4) antisense strand 5′ AGAAGGGUAUGUUCGGUUGdTdT 3′.
2. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating autoimmune psoriasis, comprising a c-Rel-specific small interfering RNA.
3. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the c-Rel-specific small interfering RNA have sequences as shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1-2 or SEQ ID Nos. 3-4.
4. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, further comprising a PEG-PLL-PLLeu tri-block copolymer nano-micelle.
5. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 4, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is a topical preparation for preventing and/or treating autoimmune psoriasis, and wherein the c-Rel-specific small interfering RNA has a concentration of 10-100 nM and the nano-micelle has a concentration of 10-20 μg/ml.
6. A method for preventing and/or treating the autoimmune psoriasis, comprising a step of administrating to a subject an effective amount of c-Rel-specific small interfering RNAs to inhibit c-Rel biosynthesis, so as to inhibit IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis in the subject with psoriasis.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the c-Rel-specific small interfering RNA have sequences as shown in SEQ ID Nos. 1-2 or SEQ ID Nos. 3-4.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein a nano-material is used to carry the c-Rel-specific small interfering RNAs and transport them to the cytoplasm.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the nano-material is a PEG-PLL-PLLeu tri-block copolymer micelle.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the subject is a mammal or a human.
11. The method according to claim 6, used for preventing and/or treating autoimmune psoriasis of human by administrating intravenously, or by applying within skin lesion areas intradermally, subcutaneously or on the skin.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, the dosage of the siRel administrated intravenously is 0.3 mg/kg, and the corresponding dosage of the nano-micelle is 4.5 mg/kg, given at a frequency of once every three weeks; the dosage of the siRel administrated intradermally is 8 mg, and the corresponding dosage of the nano-micelle is 8 mg, given at a volume of 2 ml and a frequency of once every one week; the dosage of the siRel administrated subcutaneously is 16 mg, and the corresponding dosage of the nano-micelle is 16 mg, given at a volume of 4 ml and a frequency of once every one week; or the siRel is applied on the skin at a concentration of 10 nM, and the corresponding dosage of the nano-micelle is 10 μg/ml, given at a frequency of 1-3 times every one day, with 0.5 ml of the siRel nano-micelle suspension applied per 500 square centimeters for each application.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] For a clearer understanding of the essence of the invention, the invention will now be described in more details by way of specific examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto in any way. In the following examples, the experimental processes for which the detailed conditions are not specified are generally carried out in accordance with routine practice in the field or in accordance with the conditions recommended by the manufacturer.
Example 1
[0049] In this example, the efficacy of the c-Rel-specific siRNA (i.e., siRel) was verified in NIH3T3 and RAW264.7 cell lines (the NIH3T3 and RAW264.7 cell lines were purchased from ATCC) in in vitro experiments. Furthermore, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) were used as investigating objects to verify the silencing effect of the siRel. The details of the experiments were as follows:
[0050] 1. Design and Synthesis of c-Rel-Specific Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)
[0051] In this example, c-Rel-specific small interfering RNAs (siRel) were used to inhibit c-Rel synthesis, where the RNAs in mice have the sequences of
TABLE-US-00004 (SEQ ID No. 1) sense strand 5′ CAACCGGACAUACCCGUCUdTdT 3′ (SEQ ID No. 2) antisense strand 5′ AGACGGGUAUGUCCGGUUGdTdT 3′
[0052] These siRel sequences were synthesized by Shanghai JiMa Inc. and siNC was used as a general negative control. FAM-labeled siRels (siRel-FAM) were also synthesized by Shanghai JiMa Inc.
[0053] 2. Preparation of siRNA/PEG-PLL-PLLeu Micelle Suspension
[0054] PEG-PLL-PLLeu is a polyethylene glycol-polylysine-poly-leucine tri-block copolymer, synthesized by coworkers, MA Yifan and CAI Lintao, using NCA ring-opening polymerization (Deng, J. et al. Self-assembled cationic micelles based on PEG-PLL-PLLeu hybrid polypeptides as highly effective gene vectors. Biomacromolecules 13, 3795-3804, doi:10.1021/bm3012538 (2012)). In an aqueous solution, at a concentration greater than the critical micelle concentration, the amphiphilic tri-block copolymer could self-assemble to form micelles with a particle size of about 150 nm. In this case, poly-leucine segments aggregated to form the hydrophobic core of the micelle, polyethylene glycol formed the shell of the micelle, and the poly-lysine segments in the middle were protonated because they had a large amount of primary amino groups, resulting in a zeta potential of the micelle of about 43 mV. By electrostatic interaction, the nano-micelle could bind to the negatively-charged siRNA to form a positively-charged mixed suspension of siRNA-carrying micelles. In addition, because cell membrane was negatively charged, the siRNA-carrying nano-micelles were adsorbed on the cell membrane by electrostatic interaction, facilitating the endocytosis of the micelles by the cell.
[0055] Referring to
[0056] 3. Characterization of the siRNA/PEG-PLL-PLLeu Nano-Micelle
[0057] The siRel/PEG-PLL-PLLeu mixed at different N/P ratios prepared as described above were loaded on a 2% agarose gel, electrophoresed at 120 mV for 20 minutes by using a TAE buffer, and observed with a UV gel imaging device for gel retardation results. The particle size and zeta potential of the nano-micelles were measured at room temperature using a dynamic light scattering meter (Nano-ZSZEN3600) and analyzed with the Malvem Dispersion Technology Software 4.2 software.
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[0061] 4. In Vitro Silencing Experiment with siRel/PEG-PLL-PLLeu Nano-Micelle
[0062] METHOD: NIH3T3 and RAW264.7 cell lines were purchased from ATCC and cultured according to standard procedures. BMDC is obtained by primary isolation and induction. BALB/c mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and femur and tibia were removed under sterile conditions. Bone marrow cells were rinsed out by pipetting PBS containing 2% FBS with a 1 ml syringe. The cell suspension was collected and resuspended with the erythrocyte lysate after centrifugation. The cells were washed three times with the culture medium 1 min after the lysis. Cells were suspended in the X-Vivo medium containing 20 ng/ml recombinant mouse GM-CSF and 10 ng/ml recombinant mouse IL-4, to prepare a cell suspension of 2×10.sup.6 cells/ml, which was then seeded into a 24-well plate, with 1 ml per well. Half-volume exchange of the culture medium was carried out on day 3 and day 5, and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) were obtained on day 6. In assessing the in vitro silencing effect of the siRel, NIH3T3, RAW264.7 or BMDC was seeded in 24-well plates into which the prepared siNC-carrying or siRel-carrying nano-micelles were added dropwise, until the siRNA concentration in the culture medium was 100 nM. 24 h after transfection, the cells was stimulated with LPS or not stimulated for 6 h and then collected, and the total RNA was extracted from the cells or tissues using the Trizol reagent. Reverse transcription was performed using oligo dT as a primer and the M-MLV Reverse Transcriptase, while the specific experimental procedures were performed according to the instructions of the Promega product. The expression level of c-Rel and IL-23p19 mRNA was then determined by real-time quantitative PCR using Thunderbird SYBR qPCR Mix with GAPDH as an internal reference. After 48 hours of transfection, BMDC was stimulated with LPS for 6 h. The supernatant was then collected and the concentration of IL23p19 was determined by ELISA, and the specific procedures were carried out according to Ebioscience's instructions. After 48 hours of transfection, BMDC was stimulated with LPS for 6 h and harvested, and nucleus proteins were extracted. The protein concentration was measured by the BCA method. The amount of c-Rel protein in the nucleus was measured by Western blotting.
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Example 2
[0064] Psoriasis treatment can be categorized into early stage, mid-stage and late stage treatments, in accordance with mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis in terms of severity thereof, respectively. In this experiment, the therapeutic effect of siRel was evaluated in mice with mild and moderate psoriasis. The IMQ-induced psoriasis model is similar to human psoriasis in terms of the pathological changes, and is an ideal model for studying psoriasis. IMQ is a toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist, and when applied to the skin of mice, can activate dendritic cells and macrophages through the TLR pathway and activate keratinocytes through the TLR-independent pathways, promote the secretion of IFN-α, TNF-α, and other proinflammatory factors, and recruit inflammatory cells into the skin, resulting in psoriasis-like lesions and histological changes. In addition, Leslie van der Fits et al. have confirmed that the IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis played a critical role in the IMQ-induced psoriasis model. In contrast to the reports in the art, in the experiment in this Example in the present invention, the given IMQ dosage was increasing, because different IMQ drug manufacturers and different feeding environments for mice require different dosages for psoriasis induction.
[0065] 1. Construction of IMQ-Induced Psoriasis Model
[0066] BALB/c mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 10% chloral hydrate (300 mg/kg), followed by removing of the hair on the back to form an exposed area of about 2 cm×3 cm. IMQ was applied daily (days 0-3: 65 mg/day; day 4-day 5: 80 mg/day; day 6-day 7: 100 mg/day), and the skin of the mice was observed daily and scored for the formation of scales. The criteria of scoring is as follows: 0, no; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, severe; 4, critical. Scores of mice from each group were averaged and then plotted as a trend line, and the changes to the skin lesions in each group were observed.
[0067] 2. siRel Treatment of Mice with Mild Psoriasis
[0068] During the construction of the psoriasis model in mice, mice having a psoriasis score of 0.5 were treated by administration of siRNA drugs. The mice with psoriasis were randomly divided into a control group (siNC) and a treatment group (siRel), and were treated on days 1, 2, 4, 6, respectively with the siNC/PEG-PLL-PLLeu and siRel/PEG-PLL-PLLeu micelle suspensions, wherein the siRNA dose was 500 pmol and the micelle dose was 100 μg. Mouse skin was observed daily and scored for the formation of scales. Mouse skin was taken on day 8 when the lesion tissues were clipped from mice in each group at the same location following a nine-grid approach, and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. After OCT embedding, slices having a thickness of 7 μm were obtained by cryotomy. H & E staining was then performed, and the changes to the skin thickness from mice in each group were observed.
[0069] 3. siRel Treatment of Mice with Moderate Psoriasis
[0070] During the construction of the psoriasis model in mice, mice having a score of 2 were treated by administration of siRNA drugs. The mice with psoriasis were randomly divided into a control group (siNC) and a treatment group (siRel), and were treated on days 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, respectively with the siNC/PEG-PLL-PLLeu and siRel/PEG-PLL-PLLeu micelle suspensions, wherein the siRNA dose was 500 pmol and the micelle dose was 100 μg. Mouse skin was observed daily and scored for the formation of scales. Mouse skin was taken on day 8 when the lesion tissues were clipped from mice in each group at the same location following a nine-grid approach, and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. After OCT embedding, slices having a thickness of 7 μm were obtained by cryotomy. H & E staining was then performed, and the changes to the skin thickness from mice in each group.
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[0074] 4. ELISA Assaying of the Level of IL-17A Production in Mouse Spleen Cells
[0075] During the treatment of mice with mild psoriasis, the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on day 2, 6, and 8, and the spleens of the psoriasis mice in the treatment group and the control group were taken and pulverized into cell suspensions. 2×10.sup.6 cells in a 500 μl culture system were inoculated in a 48-well plate. 48 h after stimulation with or without 0.5 μg/ml anti-CD3 antibodies and anti-CD28 antibodies, the supernatant was collected and assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the IL-17A level. The ELISA kit was purchased from Ebioscience, and the specific procedures were followed according to the instructions.
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[0077] 5. Q-PCR Detection of Expression of IL-23/IL-17A Inflammatory Axis-Related Inflammatory Factors in Mouse Skin
[0078] In the treatment of mice with mild psoriasis, lesion tissues were clipped on day 2 and 6 from the mice in each group at the same location following a nine-grid approach, placed into liquid nitrogen, and then pulverized into powder, into which the Trizol reagent to extract total RNA from the skin. Using oligo dT as a primer, reverse transcription was performed with the M-MLV Reverse Transcriptase, following the experimental operations according to the instructions of the Promega product. Then, a real-time quantitative PCR was performed by using Thunderbird SYBR qPCR Mix, with GAPDH as an internal reference, to measure the relative expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-23p19, IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.
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[0080] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, the scope of the invention should not be limited thereto. Any changes and substitutions that can be contemplated by persons skilled in the art without creative efforts in view of the technical scope disclosed in the invention are intended to be encompassed in the protection scope of the present invention.