Dual TNF-α/IL-12p40 Interference as a Strategy to Protect Against Colitis Based on miR-16 Precursors With Macrophage Targeting Vectors

Mol Ther. 2015 Oct;23(10):1611-21. doi: 10.1038/mt.2015.111. Epub 2015 Jun 15.

Abstract

Cytokines are central components of the mucosal inflammatory responses that take place during the development of Crohn's disease. Cell-specific combination therapies against cytokines may lead to increased efficacy and even reduced side effects. Therefore, a colonic macrophage-specific therapy using miR-16 precursors that can target both TNF-α and IL-12p40 was tested for its efficacy in experimental colitic mice. Galactosylated low molecular weight chitosan (G-LMWC) associated with miR-16 precursors were intracolonically injected into mice. The cellular localization of miR-16 precursors was determined. The therapeutic effects and possible mechanism were further studied in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitic mice. The results show that specific upregulation of miR-16 level in colonic macrophages significantly reduces TNF-α and IL-12p40 expression, which could suppress the associated mucosal inflammation and ultimately result in the relief of colitic symptoms. This strategy, based on the dual silencing of colonic macrophage-specific cytokines, represents a potential therapeutic approach that may be valuable for colitis therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Colitis / etiology
  • Colitis / metabolism
  • Colitis / mortality
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / genetics
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / metabolism
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-12 Subunit p40
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn16 microRNA, mouse
  • RNA Precursors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha