Project description:Investigation of whole genome gene expression level changes in African Green Monkeys treated with antimiR-33a/b, compared to the animal treated with vehicle The treatment of the monkeys is further described in Rottiers V, Obad S, McGarrah R, Black JC, Lindholm M, Goody R, Lawrence M, Whetstine JR, Gerszten RE, Kauppinen S, NM-CM-$M-CM-$r AM. (2013). Pharmacological inhibition of a microRNA family in non-human primates by a seed-targeting 8-mer antimiR oligonucleotide. Accepted for publication at Science Translational Medicine. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many aspects of human biology. They target mRNAs for translational repression or degradation through base-pairing with 3M-bM-^@M-^Y UTRs, primarily via seed sequences (nucleotides 2-8 in the mature miRNA sequence). A number of individual miRNAs and miRNA families share seed sequences and targets, but differ in the sequences outside of the seed. miRNAs have been implicated in the etiology of a wide variety of human diseases and therefore represent promising therapeutic targets. However, potential redundancy and compensatory action of different miRNAs sharing the same seed sequence, and the challenge of simultaneously targeting miRNAs that differ significantly in non-seed sequences complicates therapeutic targeting approaches. We recently demonstrated effective inhibition of entire miRNA families using seed-targeting 8-mer locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified antimiRs in short-term experiments in mammalian cells and in mice. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of this approach in higher organisms, such as humans and non-human primates, has not been determined. Here, we show that pharmacological inhibition of the miR-33 family, key regulators of cholesterol/lipid homeostasis, by a subcutaneously delivered 8-mer LNA-modified antimiR in obese and insulin-resistant non-human primates results in de-repression of miR-33 targets, such as ABCA1, increases circulating high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and is well tolerated over 108 days of treatment. These findings demonstrate the efficacy and safety of an 8-mer LNA-antimiR against a miRNA family in a non-human primate metabolic disease model, suggesting that this could be a feasible approach for therapeutic targeting of miRNA families sharing the same seed sequence in human diseases. Expression analysis study in obese Non Human Primates (African Green Monkeys). Five animals treated with antimiR-33a/b were compared to five animals treated with vehicle.
Project description:Investigation of whole genome gene expression level changes in African Green Monkeys treated with antimiR-33a/b, compared to the animal treated with vehicle The treatment of the monkeys is further described in Rottiers V, Obad S, McGarrah R, Black JC, Lindholm M, Goody R, Lawrence M, Whetstine JR, Gerszten RE, Kauppinen S, Näär AM. (2013). Pharmacological inhibition of a microRNA family in non-human primates by a seed-targeting 8-mer antimiR oligonucleotide. Accepted for publication at Science Translational Medicine. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many aspects of human biology. They target mRNAs for translational repression or degradation through base-pairing with 3’ UTRs, primarily via seed sequences (nucleotides 2-8 in the mature miRNA sequence). A number of individual miRNAs and miRNA families share seed sequences and targets, but differ in the sequences outside of the seed. miRNAs have been implicated in the etiology of a wide variety of human diseases and therefore represent promising therapeutic targets. However, potential redundancy and compensatory action of different miRNAs sharing the same seed sequence, and the challenge of simultaneously targeting miRNAs that differ significantly in non-seed sequences complicates therapeutic targeting approaches. We recently demonstrated effective inhibition of entire miRNA families using seed-targeting 8-mer locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified antimiRs in short-term experiments in mammalian cells and in mice. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of this approach in higher organisms, such as humans and non-human primates, has not been determined. Here, we show that pharmacological inhibition of the miR-33 family, key regulators of cholesterol/lipid homeostasis, by a subcutaneously delivered 8-mer LNA-modified antimiR in obese and insulin-resistant non-human primates results in de-repression of miR-33 targets, such as ABCA1, increases circulating high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and is well tolerated over 108 days of treatment. These findings demonstrate the efficacy and safety of an 8-mer LNA-antimiR against a miRNA family in a non-human primate metabolic disease model, suggesting that this could be a feasible approach for therapeutic targeting of miRNA families sharing the same seed sequence in human diseases.
Project description:In contrast to SIVagm, which does not cause disease in its natural simian host, HIV-1 expresses the accessory protein Vpu and encodes a Nef protein that fails to suppress T cell activation via down-modulation of CD3. Although both, Vpu and Nef have been implicated as pathogenicity determinants, their relevance for viral replication and disease progression in vivo has remained unclear. Here, we analyzed gene expression in African green monkeys infected with SIVagm chimeras differing in their expression of nef and/or vpu. We used microarrays to analyze global gene expression of African green monkeys in response to infection with SIVagm and found that the viral accessory nef and vpu genes co-determine the induction of distinct gene sets.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of breast cancer cells comparing LNA-control transfected cells with cells transfected with LNA-antimiR-21.We searched for miR-21 targets by systematic screening of mRNA profiling of LNA-antimiR-21 transfected MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells.
Project description:Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a major public health burden with increasing prevalence but only few effective therapies. Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are identified as pathophysiological drivers of HFpEF disease progression. MicroRNAs are increasingly recognized as key regulators of these pathological processes, while antimiR-based therapies have been emerged as promising therapeutics in mice and humans. Therefore, we tested whether targeting miR-92a-3p inhibition is a promising therapeutic intervention to target HFpEF in vivo. By injection of locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based antimiR (LNA-92a) weekly, we demonstrate that inhibition of miR-92a-3p attenuates the development of diastolic dysfunction and left atrial dilation following experimental induction of HFpEF in mice. Indeed, LNA-92a depleted miR-92a-3p expression in the myocardium and peripheral blood, and derepressed predicted target genes in a cell type-specific manner. Furthermore, cell-type specific efficacy of LNA-92a treatment was assessed by single-nuclear RNA sequencing of HFpEF hearts either treated with LNA-92a or LNA-Control. Endothelial cells of LNA-92a treated mice showed normalized vascular gene expression and reduced gene signatures associated with endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that LNA-based antimiR-92a is an effective therapeutic strategy to target diastolic dysfunction and left atrial dilation in HFpEF.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of breast cancer cells comparing LNA-control transfected cells with cells transfected with LNA-antimiR-21.We searched for miR-21 targets by systematic screening of mRNA profiling of LNA-antimiR-21 transfected MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells. Two-condition experiment, LNA-antimiR-21 Transfected vs. LNA-control Transfected MCF-7 cells. One replicate per array.
Project description:Antagonism of microRNA-122 in mice by systemically administered LNA-antimiR leads to up-regulation of a large set of predicted target mRNAs in the liver MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) is an abundant liver-specific miRNA, implicated in fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism as well as hepatitis C viral replication. Here, we report that a systemically administered 16-nt, unconjugated LNA (locked nucleic acid)-antimiR oligonucleotide complementary to the 5' end of miR-122 leads to specific, dose-dependent silencing of miR-122 and shows no hepatotoxicity in mice. Antagonism of miR-122 is due to formation of stable heteroduplexes between the LNA-antimiR and miR-122 as detected by northern analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization demonstrated uptake of the LNA-antimiR in mouse liver cells, which was accompanied by markedly reduced hybridization signals for mature miR-122 in treated mice. Functional antagonism of miR-122 was inferred from a low cholesterol phenotype and de-repression within 24 h of 199 liver mRNAs showing significant enrichment for miR-122 seed matches in their 3' UTRs. Expression profiling extended to 3 weeks after the last LNA-antimiR dose revealed that most of the changes in liver gene expression were normalized to saline control levels coinciding with normalized miR-122 and plasma cholesterol levels. Combined, these data suggest that miRNA antagonists comprised of LNA are valuable tools for identifying miRNA targets in vivo and for studying the biological role of miRNAs and miRNA-associated gene-regulatory networks in a physiological context. Keywords: compound treatment
Project description:For microRNA knockdown in vivo, a 15-mer LNA-antimiR oligonucleotide targeting mmu-miR-155 or an LNA control was administered to male 4-week-old C3H mice intravenously at a dose of 25 mg/kg per injection at days 1, 4 and 6 post-CVB3 infection. Samples were taken at 6 days post infection.
Project description:Characterization of transcriptomic variation is emerging as a critical tool for understanding how quantitative trait loci (QTL) contribute to complex phenotypes. Human transcriptomic studies are limited by factors such as the feasibility of invasive tissue collection or variable environmental exposures that can be readily overcome in non-human primate (NHP) models. We characterized transcriptomic variation across multiple tissues and developmental stages and between individuals in 59 vervet monkeys from the Vervet Research Colony extended pedigree. We conducted RNA sequencing across early (7, 90 days, and one year) and later (1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.5, 3, and 4+ years old) developmental time points in 6 individuals at each stage in five tissue types: two brain tissues from hippocampus and caudate, two endocrine tissues (pituitary and adrenal) and two peripheral tissues serving as a source of biomarkers (blood and fibroblasts)