2005-2008:

EU-Projekt Improved Precision

“Improved precision of nucleic acid based therapy of cystic fibrosis”

Contract No. LSHB-CT-2004-005213.

Short summary:

In this project, siRNA constructs are associated with magnetic nanoparticles for aerosolization combined with magnetic targeting in order to suppress the expression of a gene product in the lung which is associated with the pathology of cystic fibrosis.

Project Summary:

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is assumed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic lung disease in cystic fibrosis patients. Its natural regulation by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) appears to be compromised based on the impaired function of CFTR. The missing downregulation of the channel results in increased absorbtion of sodium ions and fluid across airway epithelia leading to the depletion of the perciliary liquid layer and to the depression of mucus clearance.

Several observations suggest that a downregulation of ENaC restores the perciliary liquid layer, thereby rehydrating the mucus and improving ciliary clearance in the lung. Therefore, we propose to specifically downregulate ENaC expression by RNA interference. For this purpose we develop and apply new means of nucleic acid precision targeting both on the molecular and macroscopic level. The first level of precision is introduced by the use of ENaC-specific siRNA, a technology known for its high downregulating specificity. The second level of precision is brought about by uPA-receptor binding and nuclear localization peptide modules of novel nonviral molecular constructs for nucleic acid delivery. Protein transduction domain peptides will be used for the delivery of synthetic siRNA. A level of loco-regional precision is contributed by the administration of such constructs via the airways upon aerosolization. Yet another and novel level of precision and targeting is introduced by the association of constructs for siRNA delivery and/or expression with magnetic nanoparticles, such that lung-specific accumulation and retention can be mediated by external magnetic fields. For this purpose novel magnetic vector formulations, viral as well as non-viral, and magnetic field generating equipment are developed. These novel constructs and technologies will be evaluated in fetal and postnatal animal models in order to demonstrate their efficacy.

Project Website