Complex consisting of antisense DNA and β-glucan promotes internalization into cell through Dectin-1 and hybridizes with target mRNA in cytosol

Cancer Gene Ther. 2019 Feb;26(1-2):32-40. doi: 10.1038/s41417-018-0033-2. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

Abstract

Antisense oligonucleotides (AS-ODNs) hybridize with specific mRNAs, resulting in interference with the splicing mechanism or the regulation of protein translation. We previously demonstrated that the β-glucan schizophyllan (SPG) can form a complex with AS-ODNs with attached dA40 (AS-ODNs/SPG), and this complex can be incorporated into cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, expressing the β-glucan receptor Dectin-1. We have achieved efficient gene silencing in animal models, but the uptake mechanism and intracellular distribution are unclear. In this study, we prepared the complex consisting of SPG and AS-ODNs (AS014) for Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1). After treatment with endocytosis inhibitor Pitstop 2 and small interfering RNA targeting Dectin-1, we found that AS014/SPG complexes are incorporated into cells by Dectin-1-mediated endocytosis and inhibit cell growth in a Dectin-1 expression level-dependent manner. After treatment with AS014/SPG complexes, we separated the cell lysate into endosomal and cytoplasmic components by ultracentrifugation and directly determined the distribution of AS014 by reverse transcription PCR using AS014 ODNs as a template or a reverse transcription primer. In the cytoplasm, AS014 clearly hybridized with YB-1 mRNAs. This is the first demonstration of the distinct distribution of the complex in cells. These results could facilitate the clinical application of the complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA, Antisense / chemistry
  • DNA, Antisense / metabolism
  • DNA, Antisense / pharmacology*
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Sizofiran / chemistry
  • Y-Box-Binding Protein 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • DNA, Antisense
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Y-Box-Binding Protein 1
  • dectin 1
  • Sizofiran