Peptide-siRNA nanocomplexes targeting NF-κB subunit p65 suppress nascent experimental arthritis

J Clin Invest. 2014 Oct;124(10):4363-74. doi: 10.1172/JCI75673. Epub 2014 Aug 26.

Abstract

The NF-κB signaling pathway is implicated in various inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA); therefore, inhibition of this pathway has the potential to ameliorate an array of inflammatory diseases. Given that NF-κB signaling is critical for many immune cell functions, systemic blockade of this pathway may lead to detrimental side effects. siRNAs coupled with a safe and effective delivery nanoplatform may afford the specificity lacking in systemic administration of small-molecule inhibitors. Here we demonstrated that a melittin-derived cationic amphipathic peptide combined with siRNA targeting the p65 subunit of NF-κB (p5RHH-p65) noncovalently self-assemble into stable nanocomplexes that home to the inflamed joints in a murine model of RA. Specifically, administration of p5RHH-p65 siRNA nanocomplexes abrogated inflammatory cytokine expression and cellular influx into the joints, protected against bone erosions, and preserved cartilage integrity. The p5RHH-p65 siRNA nanocomplexes potently suppressed early inflammatory arthritis without affecting p65 expression in off-target organs or eliciting a humoral response after serial injections. These data suggest that this self-assembling, largely nontoxic platform may have broad utility for the specific delivery of siRNA to target and limit inflammatory processes for the treatment of a variety of diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Cartilage / metabolism
  • Complement Activation
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Inflammation
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit / genetics*
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factor RelA / genetics*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • NF-kappa B p50 Subunit
  • Peptides
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Rela protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor RelA
  • Nfkb1 protein, mouse