Antisense oligonucleotides (ASODN) for therapy is a genetic technology which is based on the base-complementary principle. DNA or RNA sequence synthesized by biotechnology is transferred into the target cells to form mRNA-DNA or mRNA-RNA double strand for inhibiting the expression of target genes. In this way we can control and treat some diseases. The development of antisense oligonucleotides drugs has opened a new area of genetic pharmacology. This paper reviews its classifications, mechanics and its wide application in the treatment of viral infection, tumor and cardiovascular diseases. At the same time we pose the problems that need solving.
Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; therapy ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Virus Diseases ; therapy

DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology

The study was supposed to investigate the inhibitory effect of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (ASPSODN) targeting hTERT mRNA on gene of interest in K562 cells and influence of ASPSODN on telomerase activity and apoptosis of K562 cells. Human leukemia cell line K562 was transfected by liposome with ASPSODN and SPSODN (sense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide) at different concentrations (0.2, 0.6, 1.0 micromol/L). At the same time, blank control, liposome control and SPSODN groups were designed for comparison. The transfected cells were collected and detected at 24 and 48 hours; the expression of target gene hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity were detected by RT-PCR and TRAP-ELISA respectively, and cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry. The results showed that after K562 cells were transfected for 24 hours, the expression of hTERT mRNA had no difference between liposome control (0.80+/-0.24), 0.2 micromol/L ASPSODN (0.69+/-0.12), 0.2 micromol/L SPSODN (0.72+/-0.25) and blank control (0.85+/-0.28), but the expression of hTERT mRNA in 0.6 micromol/L ASPSODN group (0.42+/-0.16) remarkably decreased as compared with liposome control group, 0.6 micromol/L SPSODN (0.69 +/- 0.26) had no obvious effect on the expression of hTERT mRNA, the expression of hTERT mRNA in 1.0 micromol/L ASPSODN and SPSODN groups both decreased; mortality of K562 cells transfected by liposome with 1.0 micromol/L ASPSODN and SPSODN remarkably increased. After 24 hours, telomerase relative activity of K562 cells showed no significant difference between blank control (88.9%) and liposome control (77.7%). The telomerase relative activities of K562 cells treated with 0.2, 0.6, 1.0 micromol/L ASPSODN were 60.6%, 52%, 58.2% respectively. There was significant difference as compared with blank control; 0.6 micromol/L ASPSODN showed significant difference (p=0.037), as compared with liposome control group. The telomerase relative activities in K562 cells treated with 0.2, 0.6, 1.0 micromol/L SPSODN were 76.1%, 72.2%, 65.7% respectively, but the telomerase relative activities of K562 cells in 0.2, 0.6 micromol/L SPSODN groups was not inhibited obviously. When K562 cells were treated for 48 hours, telomerase relative activity of K562 cells in each ASPSODN groups restored. It showed that telomerase relative activities of K562 cells treated with 0.2, 0.6, 1.0 micromol/L ASPSODN were 84.1%, 82.3%, 79.6% respectively, while telomerase relative activities of K562 cells treated with 0.2, 0.6, 1.0 micromol/L SPSODN for 48 hours were 74.8%, 74.5%, 67.9% respectively. Telomerase activity of K562 cells could not be inhibited by 0.2 and 0.6 micromol/L SPSODN. After culturing for 48 hours, the cell apoptosis rates of K562 in 0.6 micromol/L ASPSODN, 0.6 micromol/L SPSODN, liposome control and blank control groups were (4.82+/-0.39)%, (1.83+/-0.34)%, 1.84+/-1.04)%, (1.07+/-0.74)% respectively. There was difference between ASPSODN and SPSODN groups (p<0.05), but the significant difference was found in ASPSODN group as compared with liposome control and blank control (p<0.01). It is concluded that the ASPSODN targeting hTERT can specifically inhibit the expression of hTERT mRNA in K562 cells and significantly suppress the telomerase activity of K562 cells at 0.6 micromol/L, which inhibitory time is short. The ASPSODN at high concentration (1.0 micromol/L) shows definite cytotoxicity. 0.6 micromol/L of ASPSODN significantly induces cell apoptosis, while no such effect was seen in SPSODN group.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

This study was purposed to investigate the inhibition of hTERT antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) on the proliferation and telomerase activity in HL-60 cells and to explore the relativity between the telomerase activity and the expression of hTERT gene in HL-60 cells. After treated by hTERT ASODN the expression of hTERT was detected by RT-PCR, the morphological changes of HL-60 cells was observed with inverted microscopy, the cell proliferation was measured by MTT method, and the telomerase activity was determined with TRAP-ELISA and TRAP-PAGE. The results showed that after sealing hTERT gene with ASODN for 72 hours, the expression of hTERT gene was significantly inhibited, the cell growth was repressed and the ability of proliferation decreased, and the effect was specific in sequence and dependent in dose and time. OD(450-690) values were 2.648 +/- 0.42, 1.504 +/- 0.47, 1.223 +/- 0.39, 0.944 +/- 0.16 respectively, as the cells were treated with 0, 10, 20, 30 micromol/L ASODN for 72 hours. The difference was significant as compared 10, 20, 30 micromol/L groups with 0 micromol/L ASODN group respectively (P < 0.05), but the difference was no significant when compared 20 micromol/L SODN group (2.376 +/- 0.65) with untreated group (2.648 +/- 0.42) (P > 0.05). TRAP-PAGE detection revealed that comparing ASODN groups with SODN groups the telomerase image bands were decreased and least was found in groups of 30 +/- mol/L. It is concluded that the hTERT ASODN may inhibit the proliferation and down-regulate the telomerase activity in HL-60 cells by sealing the expression of hTERT gene.
Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Transfection

In order to study the effects of phosphorothioated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) on the expression of VEGF in human lymphoma cell line Namalwa cells, human lymphoma cell line Namalwa cells were incubated with VEGF ASODN (the final concentrations of VEGF ASODN were 5, 10, 20 micromol/L respectively), or scrambled sequence for 24 or 48 hours. The expressions of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and streptavidin peroxidase (SP) immunohistochemistry respectively. The results showed that the expression levels of VEGF mRNA in Namalwa cells treated with three concentration levels (5, 10, 20 micromol/L of ASODN) were 1.38, 0.96 and 0.57 respectively. Those in PBS-treated cells and scrambled sequence treated cells were 1.79 and 1.84. When treated with 20 micromol/L VEGF ASODN for 48 hours, VEGF protein of Namalwa cells decreased greatly. Meanwhile, there was no obvious change in the scrambled sequence treated group. It is concluded that VEGF ASODN can suppress the VEGF expression in Namalwa cells in vitro.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatoblastoma ; metabolism ; Humans ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2 ; genetics

The objective of study was to investigate the effect of liposomal transfection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASON) on alpha-globin gene expression and proliferation of K562 cells, to explore the new way of gene therapy in beta-thalassemia. Targeted ASON of alpha-globin was designed and synthesized, and compared with positive control [sense oligodeoxynucleotide (SON) group] and blank control. By liposomal transfection, ASON, SON was co-cultured with K562. The efficiency of transfection was assayed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM), the alpha-globin gene expression of K562 was measured by real-time PCR, and the proliferation of K562 was determined by Cell Count Kit-8 assay. The results indicated that the highest efficiency was at 24 hours after liposomal transfection, the gene expression level of alpha-globin in ASON group was significantly lower than that in SON group and blank control (p < 0.01). The proliferation of K562 cells was obviously inhibited, meanwhile the above effect showed the dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that the liposomal transfection of ASON inhibits the alpha-globin gene expression of K562 cells, which may be the new target for gene therapy in beta-thalassemia.
Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Liposomes ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Transfection ; alpha-Globins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To study the impacts of RelA antisense oligonucleotides on proliferation in laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cell. METHOD: RelA antisense oligonucleotides was designed, which was transferred into laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cell. MTT was used to detect the growth-inhibiting ratio at different transferred timepoints. Hep-2 cell which was transferred 48 h was used to do colony assay, and expression of RelA was detected by Reverse Transcription PCR and Western blot. RESULT: MTT results showed that RelA antisense oligonucleotides could significantly suppress the proliferation of Hep-2 cell, and the suppression-ratio elevated with time. There were statistical difference compared with control groups. The number of cells colony was reduced in RelA antisense oligonucleotides group compared with control groups, which had statistic significance. RT-PCR and Western blot results demonstrated that RelA antisense oligonucleotides could significantly inhibit the expression of messenger RNA and protein in Hep-2 cell. CONCLUSION RelA antisense oligonucleotides can inhibit the expression of messenger RNA and protein, and induce the cell proliferation and increase the number of cells colony in Hep-2 cell.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of antisense glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD(67)) oligodeoxynucleo-tide (ODN) on behavior, seizure threshold and EEG of hippocampus in the epileptic rats induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ).

METHODSA model of chronic epilepsy in rats was established by PTZ. The inhibition of GAD(67) mRNA expression in hippocampus was selectively induced by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of GAD(67). The effect of antisense GAD(67) ODN on behavior, seizure threshold and EEG recording of kindled rats was examined.

RESULTSAntisense GAD(67) ODN could inhibit the expression of GAD(67) mRNA and the concentration of GABA. It also could significantly shorten the latencies of seizure and increase the level of seizure and the frequency of epileptiform discharges.

CONCLUSIONThe gene of GAD(67) may be an anti-seizure gene, which might inhibit epileptiform discharge. The treatment of epilepsy by GAD(67) gene will have a bright future.

Animals ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; physiopathology ; Isoenzymes ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Kindling, Neurologic ; Male ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Rats ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; analysis

OBJECTIVESTo construct a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying antisense matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and to study its inhibitory effects on the invasiveness and migratory capacity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line HepG2 in vitro.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from HCC. Then a 500 bp fragment at the 5' end of the human MMP2 cDNA sequence was synthesized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was reversely inserted into the multiclone site (MCS) of the shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV. With the resultant plasmid and the backbone plasmid pAdEasy-1, the homologous recombination took place in the E.coli BJ5183 and the recombinant adenoviral plasmid carrying the antisense MMP2 gene was constructed. The adenovirus (Ad-MMP2AS) was packaged and amplified in the HEK 293 cells and the viral titer was checked by GFP. Using the Boyden chamber model, the influence of Ad-MMP2AS on the invasion ability of HepG2 cells was determined in vitro.

RESULTSThe recombinant adenovirus vector carrying antisense MMP2 was constructed successfully and a strong green fluorescence was observed in HepG2 cells under a fluorescence microscope. The viral titer was 1 x 10(8); Ad-MMP2AS can effectively inhibit the penetrating capacity of HepG2 cells through Matrigel in vitro.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus with antisense MMP2 can effectively inhibit the invasiveness and migratory capacity of HepG2 in vitro and may have potential in treating HCC.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured