Inhibition of choroidal fibrovascular membrane formation by new class of RNA interference therapeutic agent targeting periostin

Gene Ther. 2015 Feb;22(2):127-37. doi: 10.1038/gt.2014.112. Epub 2014 Dec 11.

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a vision-threatening disease characterized by choroidal fibrovascular membrane (FVM) formation, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and choroidal fibrosis. No safe and effective therapeutic method has been developed for the choroidal fibrosis, although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy can partially shrink the CNV. We recently reported that periostin (POSTN), which is produced by retinal pigment epithelial cells, has an important role in the formation of preretinal FVMs, but its role in choroidal FVMs has not been determined. In this study, we used Postn knockout mice to investigate the role played by POSTN in choroidal FVM formation. In addition, we used a new class of RNA interference (RNAi) agent (NK0144) that targets POSTN and determined its effect on choroidal FVM development. Genetic ablation of Postn had an inhibitory effect not only on CNV formation but also on choroidal fibrosis in a mouse CNV model. NK0144 also had a greater inhibitory effect on both the CNV and choroidal fibrosis than control RNAi with no apparent adverse effects. These findings suggest a causal relationship between POSTN and choroidal FVM formation, and also a potential therapeutic role of intravitreal NK0144 for AMD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Choroid / blood supply
  • Choroid / pathology
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / therapy*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Intravitreal Injections
  • Macular Degeneration / therapy*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / pathology
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / physiology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • POSTN protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TLR3 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3