A self-assembled DNA tetrahedron as a carrier for in vivo liver-specific delivery of siRNA

Biomater Sci. 2020 Jan 21;8(2):586-590. doi: 10.1039/c9bm01769k.

Abstract

While siRNA is a potent therapeutic tool that can silence disease-causing mRNA, its in vivo potency can be compromised due to the lack of target tissue specificity. Here, we report a wireframe tetrahedral DNA nanostructure having a 20-mer duplex on each side that can be specifically distributed into the liver upon systemic administration. This liver-targeted DNA tetrahedron is employed as the carrier for liver-specific delivery of siRNA targeting ApoB1 mRNA, which is overexpressed in hypercholesterolemia. When delivered by a DNA tetrahedron, the siRNA can preferentially be accumulated in the liver and down-regulate the ApoB1 protein. As a result, the blood cholesterol level is also decreased by the siRNA. These results successfully demonstrate that the DNA tetrahedron is a promising carrier for liver-targeted delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoprotein B-100 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Apolipoprotein B-100 / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein B-100 / metabolism
  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / genetics
  • Hypercholesterolemia / metabolism
  • Liver / chemistry*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*

Substances

  • APOB protein, human
  • Apolipoprotein B-100
  • Drug Carriers
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • DNA