Target delivery of small interfering RNAs with vitamin E-coupled nanoparticles for treating hepatitis C

Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 26:6:24867. doi: 10.1038/srep24867.

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) represents a promising strategy for the treatment of HCV infection. However, the development of an effective system for in vivo delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to target organ remains a formidable challenge. Here, we develop a unique nanoparticle platform (VE-DC) composed of α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and cholesterol-based cationic liposomes (DOTAP-Chol) for systemic delivery of siRNAs to the liver. A HCV-replicable cell line, Huh7.5.1-HCV, and a transient HCV core expressing cell line, Huh7.5.1-Core, were constructed and used to assess the in vitro anti-HCV activity of VE-DC/siRNAs. A transient in vivo HCV model was also constructed by hydrodynamic injection of pCDNA3.1(+)-3FLAG-Core (pCore-3FLAG) plasmid expressing core protein or pGL3-5'UTR-luciferase (pGL3-5'UTR-luc) plasmid expressing luciferase driven by HCV 5'UTR. Nanoscale VE-DC/siRNA was intravenously injected to assess the liver-targeting property as well as antiviral activity. The nanoscale VE-DC effectively exerted an anti-HCV activity in the in vitro cell models. Post-administration of VE-DC/siRNAs also effectively delivered siRNAs to the liver, suppressing core protein production and firefly luciferase activity, without inducing an innate immunity response or off-target and toxicity effects. The VE-DC platform has high potential as a vehicle for delivery of siRNAs to the liver for gene therapy for targeting hepatitis C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liposomes / administration & dosage
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacokinetics
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Liposomes
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Vitamin E