Patent Application
20220025367
Nucleic acid sequences are disclosed in the present specification that serve as references. The same sequences are also presented in a sequence listing formatted according to standard requirements for the purpose of patent matters. In case of any sequence discrepancy with the standard sequence listing, the sequences described in the present specification shall be the reference. The instant application contains a Sequence Listing that has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on 15 Nov. 2019, is named 022548_P1058_SL.txt and is 244,191 bytes in size.
Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) is an ANGPTL family member believed to be involved in lipid and potentially glucose metabolism. ANGPTL8, a 22 kDa protein expressed primarily in liver tissue in humans, is also known as betatrophin, lipasin, refeeding-induced fat and liver protein, hepatocellular carcinoma-associated protein TD26, LOC55908RIFL, and C19ORF80. Levels of circulating ANGPTL8 are positively correlated with triglyceride levels. Overexpression of ANGPTL8 in the liver is associated with hypertriglyceridemia, whereas its inactivation reduces plasma triglyceride levels (Quagliarini et. al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (2012) 109(48):19751-6; Wang et. al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (2013) 110:16109-14). Elevated levels of blood triglycerides (e.g., 150 mg/dL or higher) significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis, e.g., by contributing to risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and metabolic syndrome. Very high levels of blood triglycerides (e.g., 500 mg/dL or higher) significantly increase the risk of pancreatitis.
Double-stranded RNA molecules (dsRNAs) have been shown to block gene expression in a highly conserved regulatory mechanism known as RNA interference (RNAi). This appears to be a different mechanism of action from that of single-stranded oligonucleotides such as antisense oligonucleotides, antimiRs, and antagomiRs. In RNA interference technology, double-stranded RNAs, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), bind to the RNA-induced silencing complex (“RISC”), where one strand (the “passenger strand” or “sense strand”) is displaced and the remaining strand (the “guide strand” or “antisense strand”) cooperates with RISC to bind a complementary RNA (the target RNA). Once bound, the target RNA is cleaved by RNA endonuclease Argonaute (AGO) in RISC and then further degraded by RNA exonucleases. RNAi has now been used to develop a new class of therapeutic agents for treating disorders caused by the aberrant or unwanted expression of a gene.
Due to the importance of ANGPTL8 in regulating triglyceride and lipid metabolism, and the prevalence of diseases associated with elevated triglyceride levels, there is a continuing need to identify inhibitors of ANGPTL8 expression and to test such inhibitors for efficacy and unwanted side effects such as cytotoxicity.
Provided herein are dsRNAs useful for inhibiting expression of an ANGPTL8 gene. Compared to currently available treatments for conditions associated with elevated levels of triglycerides, the dsRNAs provided herein may provide a superior clinical efficacy. The RNA agents of the present disclosure may reduce elevated triglyceride levels into normal ranges, or maintain normal triglyceride levels, resulting in overall improved health. The RNA agents of the present disclosure may be used to treat conditions such as lipid metabolism disorders characterized in whole or in part by elevated triglyceride levels (e.g., hypertriglyceridemia and associated diseases such as pancreatitis).
Accordingly, provided herein is a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) that inhibits expression of the human angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) gene by binding to a target sequence on an RNA transcript of the ANGPTL8 gene. The dsRNA contains a sense strand comprising a sense sequence, and an antisense strand comprising an antisense sequence, wherein the sense sequence is at least 90% identical to the target sequence. In some embodiments, the sense strand and the antisense strand of the present dsRNA are complementary to each other over a region of 15-25 contiguous nucleotides. In some embodiments, the sense strand and the antisense strand are no more than 30 nucleotides in length.
In some embodiments, the target sequence of the present dsRNA is nucleotides 211-229, 315-333, 455-473, 456-474, 457-475, 458-476, 459-477, 573-591, 648-666, 843-861, 844-862, 851-869, 455-474, 455-475, 455-476, 455-477, 456-475, 456-476, 456-477, 457-476, or 457-477 of SEQ ID NO: 529. In further embodiments, the target sequence is nucleotides 315-333, 457-475, 458-476, or 459-477 of SEQ ID NO: 529. In some embodiments, the target sequence of the present dsRNA is nucleotides 315-333, 457-475, 458-476, or 459-477 of SEQ ID NO: 529. As used herein, a target sequence defined as the range “x-y” of SEQ ID NO: Z consists of the target sequence beginning at the nucleotide in position x and ending at the nucleotide in position y of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: Z. Illustratively, for the sake of clarity, the target sequence defined as the range “211-229” consists of the target sequence beginning at the nucleotide in position 211 and ending at the nucleotide in position 229 of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 529.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an antisense sequence that is at least 90% identical to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 138, 155, 172-176, 199, 232, 255, 256, and 263.
In some embodiments, the sense sequence and the antisense sequence of the present dsRNA are complementary, wherein a) the sense sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 6, 23, 40-44, 67, 100, 123, 124, and 131; or b) the antisense sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 138, 155, 172-176, 199, 232, 255, 256, and 263.
In some embodiments, the sense strand and antisense strand of the dsRNA respectively comprise the nucleotide sequences of: a) SEQ ID NOs: 6 (sense strand) and 138 (antisense strand); b) SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 155; c) SEQ ID NOs: 40 and 172; d) SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 173; e) SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 174; f) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 175; g) SEQ ID NOs: 44 and 176; h) SEQ ID NOs: 67 and 199; i) SEQ ID NOs: 100 and 232; j) SEQ ID NOs: 123 and 255; k) SEQ ID NOs: 124 and 256; or 1) SEQ ID NOs: 131 and 263. In some embodiments, the sense strand and antisense strand of the dsRNA respectively comprise the nucleotide sequences of: a) SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 155; b) SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 174; c) SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 175; or d) SEQ ID NOs: 44 and 176.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises one or more modified nucleotides, wherein at least one of the one or more modified nucleotides is 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-ribonucleotide, 2′-deoxyribonucleotide, or 2′-O-methyl-ribonucleotide. In further embodiments, the dsRNA comprises two or more 2′-O-methyl-ribonucleotides and two or more 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-ribonucleotides (e.g., in an alternating pattern). In some embodiments, the sense sequence and the antisense sequence comprise alternating 2′-O-methyl ribonucleotides and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro ribonucleotides.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an inverted 2′-deoxyribonucleotide at the 3′-end of its sense or antisense strand.
In some embodiments, one or both of the sense strand and antisense strand of the present dsRNA comprise a) a 5′ overhang comprising one or more nucleotides; and/or b) a 3′ overhang comprising one or more nucleotides. In further embodiments, an overhang in the dsRNA comprises two or three nucleotides. In certain embodiments, an overhang in the dsRNA comprises one or more thymines.
In some embodiments, in the present dsRNA, the sense strand comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 270, 287, 304-308, 331, 364, 387, 388, and 395; and/or the antisense strand comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 402, 419, 436-440, 463, 496, 519, 520, and 527. In further embodiments, the sense strand and antisense strand of the dsRNA respectively comprise the nucleotide sequences of: a) SEQ ID NOs: 270 and 402; b) SEQ ID NOs: 287 and 419; c) SEQ ID NOs: 304 and 436; d) SEQ ID NOs: 305 and 437; e) SEQ ID NOs: 306 and 438; f) SEQ ID NOs: 307 and 439; g) SEQ ID NOs: 308 and 440; h) SEQ ID NOs: 331 and 463; i) SEQ ID NOs: 364 and 496; j) SEQ ID NOs: 387 and 519; k) SEQ ID NOs: 388 and 520; or 1) SEQ ID NOs: 395 and 527.
In some embodiments, the present dsRNA is conjugated to one or more ligands with or without a linker. The ligand may, for example, be a cholesterol derivative or a lipophilic moiety. The present dsRNA may also be conjugated to one or more N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) groups.
In some embodiments, one or both strands of the present dsRNA comprise one or more compounds having the structure of
wherein:
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein Y is a) NR1, R1 is a non-substituted (C1-C20) alkyl group; b) NR1, R1 is a non-substituted (C1-C16) alkyl group, which includes an alkyl group selected from a group comprising methyl, isopropyl, butyl, octyl, and hexadecyl; c) NR1, R1 is a (C3-C8) cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from a halogen atom and a (C1-C6) alkyl group; d) NR1, R1 is a cyclohexyl group; e) NR1, R1 is a (C1-C20) alkyl group substituted by a (C6-C14) aryl group; f) NR1, R1 is a methyl group substituted by a phenyl group; g)N—C(═O)—R1, R1 is an optionally substituted (C1-C20) alkyl group; or h)N—C(═O)—R1, R1 is methyl or pentadecyl.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein B is selected from a group consisting of a pyrimidine, a substituted pyrimidine, a purine and a substituted purine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, R3 is of the formula (II):
In some embodiments, R3 is N-acetyl-galactosamine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, the present dsRNA comprises one or more nucleotides from Tables A and B.
In some embodiments, the present dsRNA comprises 2 to 10 compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compounds are optionally on the sense strand.
In some embodiments, the sense strand of the dsRNA comprises two to five compounds of formula (I) at the 5′ end, and/or comprises one to three compounds of formula (I) at the 3′ end. In further embodiments, the two to five compounds of formula (I) at the 5′ end of the sense strand comprise lgT3 and/or lgT7, optionally comprising three consecutive lgT3 nucleotides; and/or the one to three compounds of formula (I) at the 3′ end of the sense strand comprise lT4 or lT3; optionally comprising two consecutive lT4.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises one or more internucleoside linking groups independently selected from the group consisting of phosphodiester, phosphotriester, phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, alkyl-phosphonate and phosphoramidate backbone linking groups, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, the present dsRNA is a small interfering RNA (siRNA). In some embodiments, the present dsRNA is a short hairpin RNA (shRNA). The present disclosure encompasses a DNA vector encoding such a dsRNA. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is selected from Tables 1-4.
The present disclosure further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a dsRNA or DNA vector described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
Also provided in this disclosure is the present dsRNA, DNA vector, or composition for use in inhibiting ANGPTL8 expression in a human in need thereof, or for use in treating or preventing an ANGPTL8-associated condition in a human in need thereof.
Further provided in this disclosure is a method of inhibiting ANGPTL8 expression, or treating or preventing an ANGPTL8-associated condition, in a mammal (e.g., a human) in need thereof by administering the present dsRNA, DNA vector, or composition to the mammal.
Further provided in this disclosure is the use of the present dsRNA or DNA vector in the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting ANGPTL8 expression, or treating or preventing an ANGPTL8-associated condition, in a mammal (e.g., a human) in need thereof, as well as articles of manufacture (e.g., kits).
In some embodiments, the dsRNA inhibits the expression of the ANGPTL8 gene in the liver of a human in the treatment methods. In certain embodiments, the ANGPTL8-associated condition is a lipid metabolism disorder such as hypertriglyceridemia and associated diseases such as pancreatitis.
The present disclosure provides novel double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) that inhibit expression of an angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) gene. In some embodiments, the dsRNAs are small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The dsRNAs can be used to treat conditions such as lipid metabolism disorders (e.g., dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and associated diseases such as pancreatitis). Unless otherwise stated, “ANGPTL8” refers to human ANGPTL8 herein. An mRNA sequence of a human ANGPTL8 protein is available under NCBI Reference Sequence No. NM_018687.6 (SEQ ID NO: 529) and its polypeptide sequence is available under NCBI Reference Sequence No. NP_061157.3 (SEQ ID NO: 530). In certain embodiments, the present disclosure refers to cynomolgus ANGPTL8. An mRNA sequence of a cynomolgus ANGPTL8 protein is available under NCBI Reference Sequence No. XM_005588007.1 (SEQ ID NO: 531) and its polypeptide sequence is available under NCBI Reference Sequence No. XP_005588064.1 (SEQ ID NO: 532).
A dsRNA of the present disclosure may have one or more of the following properties: (i) has a half-life of at least 24, 28, 32, 48, 52, 56, 60, or 72 hours in vitro; (ii) does not increase production of interferon α secreted from human primary PBMCs; (iii) has an IC50 value of at least 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, or 600 nM for inhibition of human ANGPTL8 expression in vitro; and (iv) reduces protein levels of ANGPTL8 by at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% in vivo in C57BL/6 mice expressing human ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure has at least one of the following properties: (i) has a half-life of at least 24 hours in vitro; (ii) does not increase production of interferon α secreted from human primary PBMCs, (iii) has an IC50 value of at least 475 nM for inhibition of human ANGPTL8 expression in vitro; and (iv) reduces protein levels of human ANGPTL8 by at least 80% in vivo in C57BL/6 mice expressing human ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8. In certain embodiments, the dsRNA has all of said properties.
It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the dsRNAs described herein do not occur in nature (“isolated” dsRNAs).
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) molecules targeting ANGPTL8. As used herein, the term “double-stranded RNA” or “dsRNA” refers to an oligoribonucleotide molecule comprising a duplex structure having two anti-parallel and substantially complementary nucleic acid strands. The two strands forming the duplex structure may be different portions of one larger RNA molecule, or they may be on separate RNA molecules. When the two strands are on separate RNA molecules, the dsRNA structure may function as a small interfering RNA (siRNA). Where the two strands are part of one larger molecule and are connected by an uninterrupted chain of nucleotides between the 3′-end of a first strand and the 5′-end of a second strand, the connecting RNA chain is referred to as a “hairpin loop” and the RNA molecule may be termed “short hairpin RNA,” or “shRNA.” The RNA strands may have the same or a different number of nucleotides. In addition to the duplex structure, a dsRNA may comprise overhangs of one or more (e.g., 1, 2, or 3) nucleotides.
As used herein, the term “polynucleotide” refers to a polymeric form of nucleotides (e.g., ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, or modified forms of either type of nucleotide) of at least 10 bases in length. The term includes single and double stranded forms.
A “dsRNA” may include naturally occurring ribonucleotides, and/or chemically modified analogs thereof. As used herein, “dsRNAs” are not limited to those with ribose-containing nucleotides. A dsRNA herein encompasses a double-stranded polynucleotide molecule where the ribose moiety in some or all of its nucleotides has been replaced by another moiety, so long as the resultant double-stranded molecule can inhibit the expression of a target gene by RNA interference. The dsRNA may also include one or more, but not more than 60% (e.g., not more than 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, or 10%) deoxyribonucleotides or chemically modified analogs thereof.
A dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises a sense strand comprising a sense sequence, and an antisense strand comprising an antisense sequence, wherein the sense strand and the antisense strand are sufficiently complementary to hybridize to form a duplex structure. The term “antisense sequence” refers to a sequence that is substantially or fully complementary, and binds under physiological conditions, to a target RNA sequence in a cell. A “target sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence on an RNA molecule (e.g., a primary RNA transcript or a messenger RNA transcript) transcribed from a target gene, e.g., an ANGPTL8 gene. The term “sense sequence” refers to a sequence that is substantially or fully complementary to the antisense sequence.
The ANGPTL8-targeting dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises a sense strand comprising a sense sequence and an antisense strand comprising an antisense sequence, wherein the sense and antisense sequences are substantially or fully complementary to each other. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “complementary” refers herein to the ability of a polynucleotide comprising a first contiguous nucleotide sequence, under certain conditions, e.g., physiological conditions, to hybridize to and form a duplex structure with another polynucleotide comprising a second contiguous nucleotide sequence. This may include base-pairing of the two polynucleotides over the entire length of the first or second contiguous nucleotide sequence; in this case, the two nucleotide sequences are considered “fully complementary” to each other. For example, in a case where a dsRNA comprises a first oligonucleotide 21 nucleotides in length and a second oligonucleotide 23 nucleotides in length, and where the two oligonucleotides form 21 contiguous base-pairs, the two oligonucleotides may be referred to as “fully complementary” to each other. Where a first polynucleotide sequence is referred to as “substantially complementary” to a second polynucleotide sequence, the two sequences may base-pair with each other over 80% or more (e.g., 90% or more) of their length of hybridization, with no more than 20% (e.g., no more than 10%) of mismatching base-pairs (e.g., for a duplex of 20 nucleotides, no more than 4 or no more than 2 mismatched base-pairs). Where two oligonucleotides are designed to form a duplex with one or more single-stranded overhangs, such overhangs shall not be regarded as mismatches for the determination of complementarity. Complementarity of two sequences may be based on Watson-Crick base-pairs and/or non-Watson-Crick base-pairs. As used herein, a polynucleotide which is “substantially complementary to at least part of” an mRNA refers to a polynucleotide which is substantially complementary to a contiguous portion of an mRNA of interest (e.g., an mRNA encoding ANGPTL8).
In some embodiments, the ANGPTL8-targeting dsRNA is an siRNA where the sense and antisense strands are not covalently linked to each other. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands of the ANGPTL8-targeting dsRNA are covalently linked to each other, e.g., through a hairpin loop (such as in the case of shRNA), or by means other than a hairpin loop (such as by a connecting structure referred to as a “covalent linker”).
In some embodiments, each of the sense sequence (in the sense strand) and the antisense sequence (in the antisense strand) is 9-30 nucleotides in length. For example, each sequence can be any of a range of nucleotide lengths having an upper limit of 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 and an independently selected lower limit of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20. In some embodiments, the number of nucleotides in each sequence may be 15-25 (i.e., 15 to 25 nucleotides in each sequence), 15-30, 16-29, 17-28, 18-28, 18-27, 18-26, 18-25, 18-24, 18-23, 18-22, 18-21, 18-20, 19-30, 19-29, 19-28, 19-27, 19-26, 19-25, 19-24, 19-23, 19-22, or 19-21.
In some embodiments, each sequence is greater than 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, each sequence is less than 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, each sequence is 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length.
In some embodiments, the sense and antisense sequences are each at least 15 and no greater than 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense sequences are each at least 17 (e.g. at least 19) and no greater than 23 nucleotides in length. For example, the sequences are 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 nucleotides in length.
The sense sequence and antisense sequence may be of the same or different lengths. For example, the antisense sequence may have 19 nucleotides while the sense sequence may have 17 nucleotides. In another example, the antisense sequence and the sense sequence both have 19 nucleotides.
In some embodiments, the ANGPTL8-targeting dsRNA has sense and antisense strands of the same length or different lengths. For example, the sense strand may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 nucleotides longer than the antisense strand. Alternatively, the sense strand may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 nucleotides shorter than the antisense strand.
In some embodiments, each of the sense strand and the antisense strand is 9-36 nucleotides in length. For example, each strand can be any of a range of nucleotide lengths having an upper limit of 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, or 36 and an independently selected lower limit of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20. In some embodiments, the number of nucleotides in each strand may be 15-25, 15-30, 16-29, 17-28, 18-28, 18-27, 18-26, 18-25, 18-24, 18-23, 18-22, 18-21, 18-20, 19-30, 19-29, 19-28, 19-27, 19-26, 19-25, 19-24, 19-23, 19-22, or 19-21.
In some embodiments, each strand is greater than 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, each strand is less than 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, or 37 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, each strand is 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, or 36 nucleotides in length.
In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are each at least 15 and no greater than 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are each at least 19 and no greater than 23 nucleotides in length. For example, the strands are 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 nucleotides in length.
In some embodiments, the sense strand may have 21, 22, 23, or 24 nucleotides, including any modified nucleotides, while the antisense strand may have 21 nucleotides, including any modified nucleotides; in certain embodiments, the sense strand may have a sense sequence having 17, 18, or 19 nucleotides, while the antisense strand may have an antisense sequence having 19 nucleotides.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises one or more overhangs at the 3′-end, 5′-end, or both ends of one or both of the sense and antisense strands. In some embodiments, the one or more overhangs improve the stability and/or inhibitory activity of the dsRNA.
“Overhang” refers herein to the unpaired nucleotide(s) that protrude from the duplex structure of a dsRNA when a 3′ end of a first strand of the dsRNA extends beyond the 5′ end of a second strand, or vice versa. “Blunt end” means that there are no unpaired nucleotides at that end of the dsRNA, i.e., no nucleotide overhang. A “blunt-ended” dsRNA is a dsRNA that is double-stranded over its entire length, i.e., no nucleotide overhang at either end of the duplex molecule. Chemical caps or non-nucleotide chemical moieties conjugated to the 3′ end and/or the 5′ end of a dsRNA are not considered herein in determining whether a dsRNA has an overhang or not.
In some embodiments, an overhang comprises one or more, two or more, three or more, or four or more nucleotides. For example, the overhang may comprise 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides.
In some embodiments, an overhang of the present disclosure comprises one or more nucleotides (e.g., ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides, naturally occurring or chemically modified analogs thereof). In some embodiments, the overhang comprises one or more thymines or chemically modified analogs thereof. In certain embodiments, the overhang comprises one or more thymines.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 3′-end of the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises a blunt end at the 5′-end of the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 3′-end of the antisense strand and a blunt end at the 5′-end of the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 3′-end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises a blunt end at the 5′-end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 3′-end of the sense strand and a blunt end at the 5′-end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises overhangs located at the 3′-end of both the sense and antisense strands of the dsRNA.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 5′-end of the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises a blunt end at the 3′-end of the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 5′-end of the antisense strand and a blunt end at the 3′-end of the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 5′-end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises a blunt end at the 3′-end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 5′-end of the sense strand and a blunt end at the 3′-end of the sense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises overhangs located at both the 5′-end of the sense and antisense strands of the dsRNA.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 3′-end of the antisense strand and an overhang at the 5′-end of the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises an overhang located at the 3′-end of the sense strand and an overhang at the 5′-end of the sense strand.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA has two blunt ends.
In some embodiments, the overhang is the result of the sense strand being longer than the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the overhang is the result of the antisense strand being longer than the sense strand. In some embodiments, the overhang is the result of sense and antisense strands of the same length being staggered. In some embodiments, the overhang forms a mismatch with the target mRNA. In some embodiments, the overhang is complementary to the target mRNA.
In certain embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure contains a sense strand having the sequence of 5′-CCA-[sense sequence]-invdT, and the antisense strand having the sequence of 5′-[antisense sequence]-dTdT-3′, where the trinucleotide CCA may be modified (e.g., 2′-O-Methyl-C and 2′-O-Methyl-A).
I.3 Target and dsRNA Sequences
The antisense strand of a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises an antisense sequence that may be substantially or fully complementary to a target sequence of 12-30 nucleotides in length in an ANGPTL8 RNA (e.g., an mRNA). For example, the target sequence can be any of a range of nucleotide lengths having an upper limit of 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 and an independently selected lower limit of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19. In some embodiments, the number of nucleotides in the target sequence may be 15-25, 15-30, 16-29, 17-28, 18-28, 18-27, 18-26, 18-25, 18-24, 18-23, 18-22, 18-21, 18-20, 19-30, 19-29, 19-28, 19-27, 19-26, 19-25, 19-24, 19-23, 19-22, or 19-21.
In some embodiments, the target sequence is greater than 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the target sequence is less than 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the target sequence is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length. In certain embodiments, the target sequence is at least 15 and no greater than 25 nucleotides in length; for example, at least 19 and no greater than 23 nucleotides in length, or 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 nucleotides in length.
The target sequence may be in the 5′ noncoding region, the coding region, or the 3′ noncoding region of the ANGPTL8 mRNA transcript. The target sequence may also be located at the junction of the non-coding and coding regions.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA antisense strand comprises an antisense sequence having one or more mismatch (e.g., one, two, three, or four mismatches) to the target sequence. In certain embodiments, the antisense sequence is fully complementary to the corresponding portion in the human ANGPTL8 mRNA sequence and is fully complementary or substantially complementary (e.g., comprises at least one or two mismatches) to the corresponding portion in a cynomolgus ANGPTL8 mRNA sequence. One advantage of such dsRNAs is to allow pre-clinical in vivo studies of the dsRNAs in non-human primates such as cynomolgus monkeys. In certain embodiments, the dsRNA sense strand comprises a sense sequence that is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the target sequence (e.g., in human or cynomolgus ANGPTL8 mRNA).
In some embodiments, the target sequence in a human ANGPTL8 mRNA sequence (SEQ ID NO: 529) has the start and end nucleotide positions at or around (e.g., within 3 nucleotides of) the following nucleotides: 211 and 229, 315 and 333, 455 and 473, 456 and 474, 457 and 475, 458 and 476, 459 and 477, 573 and 591, 648 and 666, 843 and 861, 844 and 862, 851 and 869, 455 and 474, 455 and 475, 455 and 476, 455 and 477, 456 and 475, 456 and 476, 456 and 477, 457 and 476, or 457 and 477, respectively. In certain embodiments, the target sequence corresponds to nucleotide positions 315-333, 457-475, 458-476, or 459-477 of the human ANGPTL8 mRNA sequence, where the start and end positions may vary within 3 nucleotides of the numbered positions. In some embodiments, the target sequence is a sequence listed in Table 1 as a sense sequence, or a sequence that includes at least 80% nucleotides (e.g., at least 90%) of the listed sequence.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises a sense strand comprising a sense sequence shown in Table 1. For example, the sense strand comprises a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6, 23, 40-44, 67, 100, 123, 124, and 131, or a sequence having at least 15, 16, 17, or 18 contiguous nucleotides derived from said selected sequence. In certain embodiments, the sense strand comprises a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 42-44.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises an antisense strand comprising an antisense sequence shown in Table 1. In some embodiments, the antisense strand comprises a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 138, 155, 172-176, 199, 232, 255, 256, and 263, or a sequence having at least 15, 16, 17, or 18 contiguous nucleotides derived from said selected sequence. In certain embodiments, the antisense strand comprises a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 155 and 174-176.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises a sense strand comprising a sense sequence shown in Table 1 and an antisense strand comprising an antisense sequence shown in Table 1. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands respectively comprise the sequences of:
SEQ ID NOs: 6 and 138;
SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 155;
SEQ ID NOs: 40 and 172;
SEQ ID NOs: 41 and 173;
SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 174;
SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 175;
SEQ ID NOs: 44 and 176;
SEQ ID NOs: 67 and 199;
SEQ ID NOs: 100 and 232;
SEQ ID NOs: 123 and 255;
SEQ ID NOs: 124 and 256; or
SEQ ID NOs: 131 and 263.
In certain embodiments, the sense and antisense strands respectively comprise the sequences of:
SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 155;
SEQ ID NOs: 42 and 174;
SEQ ID NOs: 43 and 175; or
SEQ ID NOs: 44 and 176.
In some embodiments, the antisense sequence is fully complementary to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6, 23, 40-44, 67, 100, 123, 124, and 131. In some embodiments, the antisense sequence is substantially complementary to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6, 23, 40-44, 67, 100, 123, 124, and 131, wherein the antisense sequence comprises at least one mismatch (e.g., one, two, three, or four mismatches) to the selected sequence.
In some embodiments, the antisense sequence is fully complementary to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 42-44. In some embodiments, the antisense sequence is substantially complementary to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 23 and 42-44, wherein the antisense sequence comprises at least one mismatch (e.g., one, two, three, or four mismatches) to the selected sequence.
In some embodiments, the antisense sequence of the ANGPTL8-targeting dsRNA comprises one or more mismatches to the target sequence (for example, due to allelic differences among individuals in a general population). For example, the antisense sequence comprises one or more mismatches (e.g., one, two, three, or four mismatches) to the target sequence. In some embodiments, the one or more mismatches are not located in the center of the region of complementarity. In some embodiments, the one or more mismatches are located within five, four, three, two, or one nucleotide of the 5′ and/or 3′ ends of the region of complementarity. For example, for a dsRNA containing a 19 nucleotide antisense sequence, in some embodiments the antisense sequence may not contain any mismatch within the central 9 nucleotides of the region of complementarity between it and its target sequence in the ANGPTL8 mRNA.
Table 1 below lists the sense and antisense sequences of exemplary siRNA constructs (CNST). The start (ST) and end (ED) nucleotide positions in NM_018687.6 (SEQ ID NO: 529) are indicated. “SEQ” denotes SEQ ID NOs.
A dsRNA of the present disclosure may comprise one or more modifications, e.g., to enhance cellular uptake, affinity for the target sequence, inhibitory activity, and/or stability. Modifications may include any modification known in the art, including, for example, end modifications, base modifications, sugar modifications/replacements, and backbone modifications. End modifications may include, for example, 5′ end modifications (e.g., phosphorylation, conjugation, and inverted linkages) and 3′ end modifications (e.g., conjugation, DNA nucleotides, and inverted linkages). Base modifications may include, e.g., replacement with stabilizing bases, destabilizing bases or bases that base-pair with an expanded repertoire of partners, removal of bases (abasic modifications of nucleotides), or conjugated bases. Sugar modifications or replacements may include, e.g., modifications at the 2′ or 4′ position of the sugar moiety, or replacement of the sugar moiety. Backbone modifications may include, for example, modification or replacement of the phosphodiester linkages, e.g., with one or more phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates, phosphinates, and phosphoramidates.
As used herein, the term “nucleotide” includes naturally occurring or modified nucleotide, or a surrogate replacement moiety. A modified nucleotide is a non-naturally occurring nucleotide and is also referred to herein as a “nucleotide analog.” One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that guanine, cytosine, adenine, uracil, or thymine in a nucleotide may be replaced by other moieties without substantially altering the base-pairing properties of the modified nucleotide. For example, a nucleotide comprising inosine as its base may base-pair with nucleotides containing adenine, cytosine, or uracil. Hence, nucleotides containing uracil, guanine, or adenine may be replaced in the nucleotide sequences of the present disclosure by a nucleotide containing, for example, inosine. Sequences comprising such replacement moieties are included as embodiments of the present disclosure. A modified nucleotide may also be a nucleotide whose ribose moiety is replaced with a non-ribose moiety.
The dsRNAs of the present disclosure may include one or more modified nucleotides known in the art, including, without limitation, 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotides, 2′-fluoro modified nucleotides, 2′-deoxy modified nucleotides, 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified nucleotides, modified nucleotides comprising alternate internucleotide linkages such as thiophosphates and phosphorothioates, phosphotriester modified nucleotides, modified nucleotides terminally linked to a cholesterol derivative or lipophilic moiety, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs; see, e.g., Nielsen et al., Science (1991) 254:1497-1500), constrained ethyl (cEt) modified nucleotides, inverted deoxy modified nucleotides, inverted dideoxy modified nucleotides, locked nucleic acid modified nucleotides, abasic modifications of nucleotides, 2′-amino modified nucleotides, 2′-alkyl modified nucleotides, morpholino-modified nucleotides, phosphoramidate modified nucleotides, modified nucleotides comprising modifications at other sites of the sugar or base of an oligonucleotide, and non-natural base-containing modified nucleotides. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more modified nucleotides is a 2′-O-methyl nucleotide, a 5′-phosphorothioate nucleotide, or a terminal nucleotide linked to a cholesterol derivative, lipophilic or other targeting moiety. The incorporation of 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-ethyl, 2′-O-propryl, 2′-O-alkyl, 2′-O-aminoalkyl, or 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro (i.e., 2′-fluoro) groups in nucleosides of an oligonucleotide may confer enhanced hybridization properties and/or enhanced nuclease stability to the oligonucleotide. Further, oligonucleotides containing phosphorothioate backbones (e.g., phosphorothioate linkage between two neighboring nucleotides at one or more positions of the dsRNA) may have enhanced nuclease stability. In some embodiments, the dsRNA may contain nucleotides with a modified ribose, such as locked nucleic acid (LNA) units.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises one or more 2′-O-methyl nucleotides and one or more 2′-fluoro nucleotides. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises two or more 2′-O-methyl nucleotides and two or more 2′-fluoro nucleotides. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises two or more 2′-O-methyl nucleotides (OMe) and two or more 2′-fluoro nucleotides (F) in an alternating pattern, e.g., the pattern OMe-F-OMe-F or the pattern F-OMe-F-OMe. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises up to 10 contiguous nucleotides that are each a 2′-O-methyl nucleotide. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises up to 10 contiguous nucleotides that are each a 2′-fluoro nucleotide. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises two or more 2′-fluoro nucleotides at the 5′- or 3′-end of the antisense strand.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises one or more phosphorothioate groups. In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or 10 or more phosphorothioate groups. In some embodiments, the dsRNA does not comprise any phosphorothioate group.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises one or more phosphotriester groups. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or 10 or more phosphotriester groups. In some embodiments, the dsRNA does not comprise any phosphotriester group.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises a modified ribonucleoside such as a deoxyribonucleoside, including, for example, deoxyribonucleoside overhang(s), and one or more deoxyribonucleosides within the double-stranded portion of a dsRNA. However, it is self-evident that under no circumstances is a double-stranded DNA molecule encompassed by the term “dsRNA.”
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or 10 or more different modified nucleotides described herein. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises up to two contiguous modified nucleotides, up to three contiguous modified nucleotides, up to four contiguous modified nucleotides, up to five contiguous modified nucleotides, up to six contiguous modified nucleotides, up to seven contiguous modified nucleotides, up to eight contiguous modified nucleotides, up to nine contiguous modified nucleotides, or up to 10 contiguous modified nucleotides. In some embodiments, the contiguous modified nucleotides are the same modified nucleotide. In some embodiments, the contiguous modified nucleotides are two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, six or more, seven or more, eight or more, nine or more, or ten or more different modified nucleotides.
Table 2 below lists the sequences of exemplary siRNA constructs (CNST) with modified nucleotides. The start (ST) and end (ED) nucleotide positions in NM_018687.6 (SEQ ID NO: 529) are indicated. Abbreviations are as follows: SEQ=SEQ ID NO; mX=2′-O-Me nucleotide; fX=2′-F nucleotide; dX=DNA nucleotide; invdX=inverted dX; PO=phosphodiester linkage; and Hy=hydroxyl group. In these constructs, the sequences of their sense strands and antisense strands correspond to the sense and antisense sequences of the constructs in Table 1 with the same construct numbers, but for the inclusion of (1) the modified nucleotides mX and fX, (2) “Hy” at the 5′ and 3′ ends of both strands, (3) mC-mC-mA at the 5′ end of the sense strand nucleotide sequence, (4) invdT at the 3′ end of the sense strand nucleotide sequence, and (5) dT-dT at the 3′ end of the antisense strand nucleotide sequence. In these constructs, a base-pair of nucleotides may be modified differently in some embodiments, e.g., one nucleotide in the base-pair is a 2′-O-Me ribonucleotide and the other is a 2′-F nucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense strand comprises two 2′-F nucleotides at its 5′ end.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises one or more modified nucleotides described in PCT Publication WO 2019/170731, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In such modified nucleotides, the ribose ring has been replaced by a six-membered heterocyclic ring. Such a modified nucleotide has the structure of formula (I):
wherein:
B is a heterocyclic nucleobase;
one of L1 and L2 is an internucleoside linking group linking the compound of formula (I) to a polynucleotide and the other of L1 and L2 is H, a protecting group, a phosphorus moiety or an internucleoside linking group linking the compound of formula (I) to a polynucleotide,
Y is O, NH, NR1 or N—C(═O)—R1, wherein R1 is:
X1 and X2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C6) alkyl group, and
each of Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd is, independently, H or a (C1-C6) alkyl group, or is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is NR1, R1 is a non-substituted (C1-C20) alkyl group, and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is NR1, R1 is a non-substituted (C1-C16) alkyl group, which includes an alkyl group selected from a group comprising methyl, isopropyl, butyl, octyl, hexadecyl, and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is NR1, R1 is a (C3-C8) cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from a halogen atom and a (C1-C6) alkyl group, and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is NR1, R1 is a cyclohexyl group, and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is NR1, R1 is a (C1-C20) alkyl group substituted by a (C6-C14) aryl group and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is NR1, R1 is a methyl group substituted by a phenyl group, and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is N—C(═O)—R1, R1 is an optionally substituted (C1-C20) alkyl group, and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, Y is N—C(═O)—R1, R1 is selected from a group comprising methyl and pentadecyl and L1, L2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, X1, X2, R2, R3 and B have the same meaning as defined for the general formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, B is selected from a group comprising a pyrimidine, a substituted pyrimidine, a purine and a substituted purine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, the internucleoside linking group in the dsRNA is independently selected from the group consisting of phosphodiester, phosphotriester, phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, alkyl-phosphonate and phosphoramidate backbone linking groups, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprises from 2 to 10 compounds of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In further embodiments, the dsRNA comprises one or more targeted nucleotides or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
In some embodiments, R3 is of the formula (II):
wherein A1, A2 and A3 are OH,
A4 is OH or NHC(═O)—R5, wherein R5 is a (C1-C6) alkyl group, optionally substituted by a halogen atom.
In some embodiments, R3 is N-acetyl-galactosamine.
The precursors that can be used to make modified siRNAs having nucleotides of formula (I) are exemplified in Tables A and B below. Table A shows examples of phosphoramidite nucleotide analogs for oligonucleotide synthesis; Table B shows some solid support of nucleotide analogs for oligonucleotide synthesis. In the (2S,6R) diastereomeric series, the phosphoramidites as nucleotide precursors are abbreviated with a “pre-l”, the nucleotide analogs are abbreviated with an “l”, followed by the nucleobase and a number, which specifies the group Y in formula (I). To distinguish both stereochemistries, the analogues (2R,6R)-diastereoisomers are indicated with an additional “b.” For solid supports, the abbreviation “CPG-l” is used with the additional information as described above. Targeted nucleotide precursors, targeted nucleotide analogs and solid supports are abbreviated as described above, but with an “lg” instead of the “l.”
The modified nucleotides of formula (I) may be incorporated at the 5′, 3′, or both ends of the sense strand and/or antisense strand of the dsRNA. By way of example, one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more) modified nucleotides may be incorporated at the 5′ end of the sense strand of the dsRNA. In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or more) modified nucleotides are positioned in the 5′ end of the sense strand, where the modified nucleotides do not complement the antisense sequence but may be optionally paired with an equal or smaller number of complementary nucleotides at the corresponding 3′ end of the antisense strand.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA may comprise a sense strand having a sense sequence of 17, 18, or 19 nucleotides in length, where three to five nucleotides of formula (I) (e.g., three consecutive lgT3 or lgT7 with or without additional nucleotides of formula (I)) are placed in the 5′ end of the sense sequence, making the sense strand 20, 21, or 22 nucleotides in length. In such embodiments, the sense strand may additionally comprise two consecutive nucleotides of formula (I) (e.g., lT4 or lT3) at the 3′ of the sense sequence, making the sense strand 22, 23, or 24 nucleotides in length. The dsRNA may comprise an antisense sequence of 19 nucleotides in length, where the antisense sequence may additionally be linked to 2 modified nucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides (e.g., dT) at its 3′ end, making the antisense strand 21 nucleotides in length. In further embodiments, the sense strand of the dsRNA contains only naturally occurring internucleotide bonds (phosphodiester bond), where the antisense strand may optionally contain non-naturally occurring internucleotide bonds. For example, the antisense strand may contain phosphoro-thioate bonds in the backbone near or at its 5′ and/or 3′ ends. In some embodiments, the dsRNA may contain nucleotides with a modified ribose, such as locked nucleic acid (LNA) units.
In some embodiments, the use of modified nucleotides of formula (I) circumvents the need for other RNA modifications such as the use of non-naturally occurring internucleotide bonds, thereby simplifying the chemical synthesis of dsRNAs. Moreover, the modified nucleotides of formula (I) can be readily made to contain cell targeted moieties such as GalNAc derivatives (which include GalNAc itself), enhancing the delivery efficiency of dsRNAs incorporating such nucleotides. Further, it has been shown that dsRNAs incorporating modified nucleotides of formula (I), e.g., at the sense strand, significantly improve the stability and therapeutic potency of the dsRNAs.
Tables 3 and 4 below list the sequences of exemplary modified GalNAc-siRNA constructs derived from constructs siRNA#023 and siRNA#042 listed in Table 2. In some embodiments, the dsRNA may contain nucleotides with a modified ribose, such as locked nucleic acid (LNA) units (abbreviated with an “1”, followed by the corresponding nucleobase, in tables below).
While the exemplary siRNAs shown in Tables 2-4 include nucleotide modifications, siRNAs having the same or substantially the same sequences but different numbers, patterns, and/or types of modifications, are also contemplated.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA comprises a sense strand shown in Table 1 with the addition of nucleotides (or modified versions thereof) at either or both of its termini. For example, the dsRNA comprises a sense strand shown in Table 1 with the addition of a 5′ CCA and/or a 3′ invdT. In some embodiments, a dsRNA comprises an antisense strand shown in Table 1 with the addition of nucleotides (or modified versions thereof) at either or both of its termini. For example, the dsRNA comprises an antisense strand shown in Table 1 with the addition of a 3′ dTdT. In certain embodiments, a dsRNA comprises a pair of sense and antisense strands as shown in Table 1, with the addition of a 5′ CCA and a 3′ invdT to the sense strand and with the addition of a 3′ dTdT to the antisense strand. In certain embodiments, a dsRNA comprises a pair of sense and antisense strands as shown in Table 2, with the addition of a 5′ lgT3-lgT3-lgT3 and a 3′ lT4-lT4 to the sense strand.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises a sense sequence that is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical in sequence to a sense sequence shown in Table 1. In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises an antisense sequence that is at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical in sequence to an antisense sequence shown in Table 1. In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure comprises sense and antisense sequences that are at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical in sequence to sense and antisense sequences, respectively, shown in Table 1. In certain embodiments, the dsRNA comprises sense and antisense strands having the sequences shown in Table 2. In certain embodiments, the dsRNA comprises sense and antisense strands having the sequences shown in Table 3.
The “percentage identity” between two nucleotide sequences is determined by comparing the two optimally-aligned sequences in which the nucleic acid sequence to compare can have additions or deletions compared to the reference sequence for optimal alignment between the two sequences. “Percentage identity” is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the nucleotide residue is identical between the two sequences, preferably between the two complete sequences, dividing the number of identical positions by the total number of positions in the alignment window and multiplying the result by 100 to obtain the percentage identity between the two sequences. For purposes herein, when determining “percentage identity” between two nucleotide sequences, modifications to the nucleotides are not considered. For example, a sequence of 5′-mC-fU-mA-fG-3′ is considered having 100% sequence identity as a sequence of 5′-CUAG-3′.
I.5 dsRNA Conjugates
The present dsRNAs may be covalently or noncovalently linked to one or more ligands or moieties. Examples of such ligands and moieties may be found, e.g., in Jeong et al., Bioconjugate Chem. (2009) 20:5-14 and Sebestyén et al., Methods Mol. Biol. (2015) 1218:163-86. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is conjugated/attached to one or more ligands via a linker. Any linker known in the art may be used, including, for example, multivalent (e.g., bivalent, trivalent, or tetravalent) branched linkers. The linker may be cleavable or non-cleavable. Conjugating a ligand to a dsRNA may alter its distribution, enhance its cellular absorption and/or targeting to a particular tissue and/or uptake by one or more specific cell types (e.g., liver cells), and/or enhance the lifetime or half-life of the dsRNA. In some embodiments, a hydrophobic ligand is conjugated to the dsRNA to facilitate direct permeation of the cellular membrane and/or uptake across cells (e.g., liver cells). For ANGPTL8-targeting dsRNAs (e.g., siRNAs), the target tissue may be the liver, including parenchymal cells of the liver (e.g., hepatocytes).
In some embodiments, the dsRNA of the present disclosure is conjugated to a cell-targeting ligand. A cell-targeting ligand refers to a molecular moiety that facilitates delivery of the dsRNA to the target cell, which encompasses (i) increased specificity of the dsRNA to bind to cells expressing the selected target receptors (e.g., target proteins); (ii) increased uptake of the dsRNA by the target cells; and (iii) increased ability of the dsRNA to be appropriately processed once it has entered into a target cell, such as increased intracellular release of an siRNA, e.g., by facilitating the translocation of the siRNA from transport vesicles into the cytoplasm. The ligand may be, for example, a protein (e.g., a glycoprotein), a peptide, a lipid, a carbohydrate, or a molecule having a specific affinity for a co-ligand.
Specific examples of ligands include, without limitation, an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that binds to a specific receptor on a liver cell, thyrotropin, melanotropin, surfactant protein A, mucin carbohydrate, multivalent lactose, multivalent galactose, multivalent mannose, multivalent fucose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, transferrin, bisphosphonate, a steroid, bile acid, lipopolysaccharide, a recombinant or synthetic molecule such as a synthetic polymer, polyamino acids, an alpha helical peptide, polyglutamate, polyaspartate, lectins, and cofactors. In some embodiments, the ligand is one or more dyes, crosslinkers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, peptide conjugates (e.g., antennapedia peptide, Tat peptide), polyethylene glycol (PEG), enzymes, haptens, transport/absorption facilitators, synthetic ribonucleases (e.g., imidazole, bisimidazole, histamine, or imidazole clusters), human serum albumin (HSA), or LDL.
In some embodiments, the dsRNA is conjugated to one or more cholesterol derivatives or lipophilic moieties such as cholesterol or a cholesterol derivative; cholic acid; a vitamin (such as folate, vitamin A, vitamin E (tocopherol), biotin, or pyridoxal); bile or fatty acid conjugates, including both saturated and non-saturated (such as lauroyl (C12), myristoyl (C14), palmitoyl (C16), stearoyl (C18) and docosanyl (C22), lithocholic acid and/or lithocholic acid oleylamine conjugate (lithocholic-oleyl, C43)); polymeric backbones or scaffolds (such as PEG, triethylene glycol (TEG), hexaethylene glycol (HEG), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG), hydrodynamic polymers); steroids (such as dihydrotestosterone); terpene (such as triterpene); cationic lipids or peptides; and/or a lipid or lipid-based molecule. Such a lipid or lipid-based molecule may bind a serum protein, e.g., human serum albumin (HSA). A lipid-based ligand may be used to modulate (e.g., control) the binding of the conjugate to a target tissue. For example, a lipid or lipid-based ligand that binds to HSA more strongly will be less likely to be targeted to the kidney and therefore less likely to be cleared from the body.
In some embodiments, the cell-targeting moiety or ligand is a N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) derivative. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is attached to one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or more) GalNAc derivatives. The attachment may be via one or more linkers (e.g., two, three, four, or more linkers). In some embodiments, a linker described herein is a multivalent (e.g., bivalent, trivalent, or tetravalent) branched linker. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is attached to two or more GalNAc derivatives via a bivalent branched linker. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is attached to three or more GalNAc derivatives via a trivalent branched linker. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is attached to three or more GalNAc derivatives with or without linkers. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is attached to four or more GalNAc derivatives via four separate linkers. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is attached to four or more GalNAc derivatives via a tetravalent branched linker. In some embodiments, the one or more GalNAc derivatives is attached to the 3′-end of the sense strand, the 3′-end of the antisense strand, the 5′-end of the sense strand, and/or the 5′-end of the antisense strand of the dsRNA. In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., two or three) modified nucleotides of formula (I) are placed at the 5′ end and/or 3′ end of the sense strand of the dsRNA, where those modified nucleotides each contain a GalNAc derivative moiety (see, e.g., the GalNAc-containing nucleotides shown in Tables A and B). Exemplary and non-limiting conjugates and linkers are described, e.g., in Biessen et al., Bioconjugate Chem. (2002) 13(2):295-302; Cedillo et al., Molecules (2017) 22(8):E1356; Grijalvo et al., Genes (2018) 9(2):E74; Huang et al., Molecular Therapy: Nucleic Acids (2017) 6:116-32; Nair et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2014) 136:16958-61; Ostergaard et al., Bioconjugate Chem. (2015) 26:1451-5; Springer et al., Nucleic Acid Therapeutics (2018) 28(3):109-18; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,106,022, 9,127,276, and 8,927,705. GalNAc conjugation can be readily performed by methods well known in the art (e.g., as described in the above documents).
II. Methods of Making dsRNAs
A dsRNA of the present disclosure may be synthesized by any method known in the art. For example, a dsRNA may be synthesized by use of an automated synthesizer, by in vitro transcription and purification (e.g., using commercially available in vitro RNA synthesis kits), by transcription and purification from cells (e.g., cells comprising an expression cassette/vector encoding the dsRNA), and the like. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands of the dsRNA are synthesized separately and then annealed to form the dsRNA. In some embodiments, the dsRNA comprising modified nucleotides of formula (I) and optionally conjugated to a cell targeting moiety (e.g., GalNAc) may be prepared according to the disclosure of PCT Publication WO 2019/170731.
Ligand-conjugated dsRNAs and ligand molecules bearing sequence-specific linked nucleosides of the present disclosure may be assembled by any method known in the art, including, for example, assembly on a suitable polynucleotide synthesizer utilizing standard nucleotide or nucleoside precursors, or nucleotide or nucleoside conjugate precursors that already bear the linking moiety, ligand-nucleotide, or nucleoside-conjugated precursors that already bear the ligand molecule, or non-nucleoside ligand-bearing building blocks.
Ligand-conjugated dsRNAs of the present disclosure may be synthesized by any method known in the art, including, for example, by the use of a dsRNA bearing a pendant reactive functionality such as that derived from the attachment of a linking molecule onto the dsRNA. In some embodiments, this reactive oligonucleotide may be reacted directly with commercially-available ligands, ligands that are synthesized bearing any of a variety of protecting groups, or ligands that have a linking moiety attached thereto. In some embodiments, the methods facilitate the synthesis of ligand-conjugated dsRNA by the use of nucleoside monomers that have been appropriately conjugated with ligands and that may further be attached to a solid support material. In some embodiments, a dsRNA bearing an aralkyl ligand attached to the 3′-end of the dsRNA is prepared by first covalently attaching a monomer building block to a controlled-pore-glass support via a long-chain aminoalkyl group; then, nucleotides are bonded via standard solid-phase synthesis techniques to the monomer building-block bound to the solid support. The monomer building-block may be a nucleoside or other organic compound that is compatible with solid-phase synthesis.
In some embodiments, functionalized nucleoside sequences of the present disclosure possessing an amino group at the 5′-terminus are prepared using a polynucleotide synthesizer, and then reacted with an active ester derivative of a selected ligand. Active ester derivatives are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The reaction of the amino group and the active ester produces an oligonucleotide in which the selected ligand is attached to the 5′-position through a linking group. The amino group at the 5′-terminus can be prepared utilizing a 5′-amino-modifier C6 reagent. In some embodiments, ligand molecules are conjugated to oligonucleotides at the 5′-position by the use of a ligand-nucleoside phosphoramidite wherein the ligand is linked to the 5′-hydroxy group directly or indirectly via a linker. Such ligand-nucleoside phosphoramidites are typically used at the end of an automated synthesis procedure to provide a ligand-conjugated oligonucleotide bearing the ligand at the 5′-terminus.
In some embodiments, click chemistry is used to synthesize siRNA conjugates. See, e.g., Astakhova et al., Mol. Pharm. (2018) 15(8):2892-9; Mercier et al., Bioconjugate Chem. (2011) 22(1):108-14.
III. Compositions and Delivery of dsRNAs
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising a dsRNA as described herein. In some embodiments, the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the composition is useful for treating a disease or disorder associated with the expression or activity of the ANGPTL8 gene. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder associated with the expression of the ANGPTL8 gene is a lipid metabolism disorder such as hypertriglyceridemia and/or any other condition described herein. Compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated based upon the mode of delivery, including, for example, compositions formulated for delivery to the liver via parenteral administration.
The present dsRNAs can be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients can be liquid or solid, and may be selected with the planned manner of administration in mind so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, and other pertinent transport and chemical properties. Any known pharmaceutically acceptable excipient may be used, including, for example, water, saline solution, binding agents (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), fillers (e.g., lactose and other sugars, gelatin, or calcium sulfate), lubricants (e.g., starch, polyethylene glycol, or sodium acetate), disintegrates (e.g., starch or sodium starch glycolate), calcium salts (e.g., calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite), and wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate).
The present dsRNAs can be formulated into compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) containing the dsRNA admixed, encapsulated, conjugated, or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecular structures, or mixtures of nucleic acids. For example, a composition comprising one or more dsRNAs as described herein can contain other therapeutic agents such as other lipid lowering agents (e.g., statins). In some embodiments, the composition (e.g., pharmaceutical composition) further comprises a delivery vehicle as described herein.
A dsRNA of the present disclosure may be delivered directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is delivered directly by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA to a subject. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is delivered indirectly by administering one or more vectors described below.
A dsRNA of the present disclosure may be delivered by any method known in the art, including, for example, by adapting a method of delivering a nucleic acid molecule for use with a dsRNA (see, e.g., Akhtar et al., Trends Cell Biol. (1992) 2(5):139-44; PCT Publication WO 94/02595), or via additional methods known in the art (see, e.g., Kanasty et al., Nature Materials (2013) 12:967-77; Wittrup and Lieberman, Nature Reviews Genetics (2015) 16:543-52; Whitehead et al., Nature Reviews Drug Discovery (2009) 8:129-38; Gary et al., J Control Release (2007) 121(1-2):64-73; Wang et al., AAPS J. (2010) 12(4):492-503; Draz et al., Theranostics (2014) 4(9):872-92; Wan et al., Drug Deliv Transl Res. (2013) 4(1):74-83; Erdmann and Barciszewski (eds.) (2010) “RNA Technologies and Their Applications,” Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-12168-5; Xu and Wang, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2015) 10(1):1-12). For in vivo delivery, dsRNA can be injected into a tissue site or administered systemically (e.g., in nanoparticle form via inhalation). In vivo delivery can also be mediated by a beta-glucan delivery system (see, e.g., Tesz et al., Biochem J. (2011) 436(2):351-62). In vitro introduction into a cell includes methods known in the art such as electroporation and lipofection.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure is delivered by a delivery vehicle comprising the dsRNA. In some embodiments, the delivery vehicle is a liposome, lipoplex, complex, or nanoparticle.
Liposomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have a membrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior. In some embodiments, a liposome is a vesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a spherical bilayer or bilayers. The aqueous portion contains the composition to be delivered. Cationic liposomes possess the advantage of being able to fuse to the cell wall. Advantages of liposomes include, e.g., that liposomes obtained from natural phospholipids are biocompatible and biodegradable; that liposomes can incorporate a wide range of water and lipid soluble drugs; and that liposomes can protect encapsulated drugs in their internal compartments from metabolism and degradation (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Important considerations in the preparation of liposome formulations are the lipid surface charge, vesicle size and the aqueous volume of the liposomes. For example, engineered cationic liposomes and sterically stabilized liposomes can be used to deliver the dsRNA. See, e.g., Podesta et al., Methods Enzymol. (2009) 464:343-54; U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,710.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure is fully encapsulated in a lipid formulation, e.g., to form a nucleic acid-lipid particle such as, without limitation, a SPLP, pSPLP, or SNALP. As used herein, the term “SNALP” refers to a stable nucleic acid-lipid particle, including SPLP. As used herein, the term “SPLP” refers to a nucleic acid-lipid particle comprising plasmid DNA encapsulated within a lipid vesicle. Nucleic acid-lipid particles, e.g., SNALPs, typically contain a cationic lipid, a non-cationic lipid, and a lipid that prevents aggregation of the particle (e.g., a PEG-lipid conjugate). SNALPs and SPLPs are useful for systemic applications, as they exhibit extended circulation lifetimes following intravenous (i.v.) injection and accumulate at distal sites (e.g., sites physically separated from the administration site). SPLPs include “pSPLPs,” which include an encapsulated condensing agent-nucleic acid complex as set forth in PCT Publication WO 2000/003683.
In some embodiments, dsRNAs when present in nucleic acid-lipid particles are resistant in aqueous solution to degradation with a nuclease. Nucleic acid-lipid particles and their methods of preparation are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,976,567; 5,981,501; 6,534,484; 6,586,410; and 6,815,432; and PCT Publication WO 96/40964.
In some embodiments, the nucleic acid-lipid particles comprise a cationic lipid. Any cationic lipid or mixture thereof known in the art may be used. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid-lipid particles comprise a non-cationic lipid. Any non-cationic lipid or mixture thereof known in the art may be used. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid-lipid particle comprises a conjugated lipid (e.g., to prevent aggregation). Any conjugated lipid known in the art may be used.
Factors that are important to consider in order to successfully deliver a dsRNA molecule in vivo include: (1) biological stability of the delivered molecule, (2) preventing nonspecific effects, and (3) accumulation of the delivered molecule in the target tissue. The nonspecific effects of a dsRNA can be minimized by local administration, for example by direct injection or implantation into a tissue or topically administering the preparation. For administering a dsRNA systemically for the treatment of a disease, the dsRNA may be modified or alternatively delivered using a drug delivery system; both methods act to prevent the rapid degradation of the dsRNA by endo- and exonucleases in vivo. Modification of the RNA or the pharmaceutical excipient may also permit targeting of the dsRNA composition to the target tissue and avoid undesirable off-target effects. As described above, dsRNA molecules may be modified by chemical conjugation to lipophilic groups such as cholesterol to enhance cellular uptake and prevent degradation. In some embodiments, the dsRNA is delivered using drug delivery systems such as a nanoparticle (e.g., a calcium phosphate nanoparticle), a dendrimer, a polymer, liposomes, or a cationic delivery system. Positively charged cationic delivery systems facilitate binding of a dsRNA molecule (negatively charged) and also enhance interactions at the negatively charged cell membrane to permit efficient uptake of a dsRNA by the cell. Cationic lipids, dendrimers, or polymers can either be bound to a dsRNA, or induced to form a vesicle or micelle (See, e.g., Kim et al., Journal of Controlled Release (2008) 129(2):107-16) that encases a dsRNA. The formation of vesicles or micelles further prevents degradation of the dsRNA when administered systemically. Methods for making and administering cationic-dsRNA complexes are known in the art. In some embodiments, a dsRNA may form a complex with cyclodextrin for systemic administration.
III.4 Vector-Encoded dsRNAs
A dsRNA of the present disclosure may be delivered to the target cell indirectly by introducing into the target cell a recombinant vector (DNA or RNA vector) encoding the dsRNA. The dsRNA will be expressed from the vector inside the cell, e.g., in the form of shRNA, where the shRNA is subsequently processed into siRNA intracellularly. In some embodiments, the vector is a plasmid, cosmid, or viral vector. In some embodiments, the vector is compatible with expression in prokaryotic cells. In some embodiments, the vector is compatible with expression in E. coli. In some embodiments, the vector is compatible with expression in eukaryotic cells. In some embodiments, the vector is compatible with expression in yeast cells. In some embodiments, the vector is compatible with expression in vertebrate cells. Any expression vector capable of encoding dsRNA known in the art may be used, including, for example, vectors derived from adenovirus (AV), adeno-associated virus (AAV), retroviruses (e.g., lentiviruses (LV), Rhabdoviruses, murine leukemia virus, etc.), herpes virus, SV40 virus, polyoma virus, papilloma virus, picornavirus, pox virus (e.g., orthopox or avipox), and the like. The tropism of viral vectors or viral-derived vectors may be modified by pseudotyping the vectors with envelope proteins or other surface antigens from one or more other viruses, or by substituting different viral capsid proteins, as appropriate. For example, lentiviral vectors may be pseudotypes with surface proteins from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), rabies, Ebola, Mokola, and the like. AAV vectors may be made to target different cells by engineering the vectors to express different capsid protein serotypes. For example, an AAV vector expressing a serotype 2 capsid on a serotype 2 genome is called AAV 2/2. This serotype 2 capsid gene in the AAV 2/2 vector can be replaced by a serotype 5 capsid gene to produce an AAV 2/5 vector. Techniques for constructing AAV vectors which express different capsid protein serotypes have been described previously (see, e.g., Rabinowitz et al., J. Virol. (2002) 76:791-801).
Selection of recombinant vectors, methods for inserting nucleic acid sequences into the vector for expressing a dsRNA, and methods of delivering vectors into one or more cells of interest are known in the art. See, e.g., Domburg, Gene Therap. (1995) 2:301-310; Eglitis et al., Biotechniques (1998) 6:608-14; Miller, Hum Gene Therap. 1:5-14 (1990); Anderson et al., Nature (1998) 392:25-30; Xia et al., Nat. Biotech. (2002) 20:1006-10; Robinson et al., Nat Genet. (2003) 33:401-6; Samulski et al., J. Virol. (1987) 61:3096-101; Fisher et al., J Virol. (1996) 70:520-32; Samulski et al., J Virol. (1989) 63:3822-6; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,252,479 and 5,139,941; and PCT Publications WO 94/13788 and WO 93/24641.
Vectors useful for the delivery of a dsRNA as described herein may include regulatory elements (e.g., heterologous promoter, enhancer, etc.) sufficient for expression of the dsRNA in the desired target cell or tissue. In some embodiments, the vector comprises one or more sequences encoding the dsRNA linked to one or more heterologous promoters. Any heterologous promoter known in the art capable of expressing a dsRNA may be used, including, for example, the U6 or H1 RNA pol III promoters, the T7 promoter, and the cytomegalovirus promoter. The one or more heterologous promoters may be an inducible promoter, a repressible promoter, a regulatable promoter, and/or a tissue-specific promoter. Selection of additional promoters is within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the regulatory elements are selected to provide constitutive expression. In some embodiments, the regulatory elements are selected to provide regulated/inducible/repressible expression. In some embodiments, the regulatory elements are selected to provide tissue-specific expression. In some embodiments, the regulatory elements and sequence encoding the dsRNA form a transcription unit.
A dsRNA of the present disclosure may be expressed from transcription units inserted into DNA or RNA vectors (see, e.g., Couture et al., TIG (1996) 12:5-10; PCT Publications WO 00/22113 and WO 00/22114; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,299). Expression may be transient (on the order of hours to weeks) or sustained (weeks to months or longer), depending upon the specific construct used and the target tissue or cell type. These transgenes can be introduced as a linear construct, a circular plasmid, or a viral vector, which can be an integrating or non-integrating vector. The transgene can also be constructed to permit it to be inherited as an extrachromosomal plasmid (Gassmann et al., PNAS (1995) 92:1292).
In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands of a dsRNA are encoded on separate expression vectors. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are expressed on two separate expression vectors that are co-introduced (e.g., by transfection or infection) into the same target cell. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are encoded on the same expression vector. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are transcribed from separate promoters which are located on the same expression vector. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are transcribed from the same promoter on the same expression vector. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are transcribed from the same promoter as an inverted repeat joined by a linker polynucleotide sequence such that the dsRNA has a stem and loop structure.
IV. dsRNA Therapy
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for inhibiting the expression of the ANGPTL8 gene in a subject (e.g., a primate subject such as a human) comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of one or more dsRNAs of the present disclosure, one or more vectors of the present disclosure, or one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods of treating and/or preventing one or more conditions described herein (e.g., an ANGPTL8-associated condition such as hypertriglyceridemia) comprising administering one or more dsRNAs of the present disclosure and/or one or more vectors of the present disclosure and/or one or more pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more dsRNAs as described herein. In some embodiments, downregulating ANGPTL8 expression in a subject alleviates one or more symptoms of a condition described herein (e.g., an ANGPTL8-associated condition such as hypertriglyceridemia) in the subject.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure may be administered in dosages sufficient to inhibit expression of the ANGPTL8 gene. In some embodiments, a suitable dose of a dsRNA described herein is in the range of 0.001 mg/kg-200 mg/kg body weight of the recipient. In certain embodiments, a suitable dose is in the range of 0.001 mg/kg-50 mg/kg body weight of the recipient, e.g., in the range of 0.001 mg/kg-20 mg/kg body weight of the recipient. Treatment of a subject with a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition can include a single treatment or a series of treatments.
As used herein, the terms “therapeutically effective amount” and “prophylactically effective amount” refer to an amount that provides a therapeutic benefit in the treatment, prevention, or management of pathological processes mediated by ANGPTL8 expression, or an overt symptom of pathological processes mediated by ANGPTL8 expression.
As used herein, the term “ANGPTL8-associated condition” is intended to include any condition in which inhibiting the activity of ANGPTL8 is beneficial. Such a condition may be caused, for example, by excess production of the ANGPTL8 protein, by ANGPTL8 gene mutations that increase ANGPTL8 activity or expression, by abnormal cleavage of the ANGPTL8 protein that increases activity or decreases degradation, and/or by abnormal interactions between ANGPTL8 and other proteins or other endogenous or exogenous substances such that ANGPTL8 activity is increased or degradation is decreased. An ANGPTL8-associated condition may be, e.g., a lipid metabolism disorder.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA described herein is used to treat a subject with a lipid metabolism disorder such as hypertriglyceridemia or any symptoms or conditions associated with hypertriglyceridemia. In certain embodiments, a dsRNA described herein is used to treat a patient with drug-induced hypertriglyceridemia, diuretic-induced hypertriglyceridemia, alcohol-induced hypertriglyceridemia, β-adrenergic blocking agent-induced hypertriglyceridemia, estrogen-induced hypertriglyceridemia, glucocorticoid-induced hypertriglyceridemia, retinoid-induced hypertriglyceridemia, cimetidine-induced hypertriglyceridemia, familial hypertriglyceridemia, acute pancreatitis associated with hypertriglyceridemia, and/or hepatosplenomegaly associated with hypertriglyceridemia.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA described herein is used to treat a subject having one or more conditions selected from: lipidemia (e.g., hyperlipidemia), dyslipidemia (e.g., atherogenic dyslipidemia, diabetic dyslipidemia, or mixed dyslipidemia), hyperlipoproteinemia, hypercholesterolemia, gout associated with hypercholesterolemia, chylomicronemia, lipodystrophy, lipoatrophy, metabolic syndrome, diabetes (Type I or Type II), pre-diabetes, Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, systemic lupus erythematosus, dysglobulinemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, Addison's disease, glycogen storage disease type 1, hypothyroidism, uremia, adriamycin cardiomyopathy, lipoprotein lipase deficiency, lysosomal acid lipase deficiency, xanthomatosis, eruptive xanthoma, and lipemia retinalis.
Additionally or alternatively, a dsRNA described herein may be used to treat a subject with one or more pathological conditions associated with any of the disorders described herein, such as heart and circulatory conditions (e.g., atherosclerosis, angina, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, restenosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, aneurysm, cerebrovascular diseases, and peripheral vascular diseases), liver disease, kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, and chronic renal disease (e.g., uremia, nephrotic syndrome, maintenance dialysis, and renal transplantation).
In some embodiments, a dsRNA described herein may be used to treat a subject with one or more conditions associated with any genetic profile (e.g., familial hypertriglyceridemia, familial combined lipidemia, or familial dysbetalipoproteinemia), treatment (e.g., use of thiazide diuretics, oral contraceptives and other estrogens, certain beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, propofol, HIV medications, isotretinoin, or protease inhibitors), or lifestyle (e.g., cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high carbohydrate diet, or high fat diet) that results in or results from elevated blood triglycerides or lipids. Triglyceride levels (e.g., serum triglyceride levels) of over 150 mg/dL are considered elevated for risk of cardiovascular conditions. Triglyceride levels (e.g., serum triglyceride levels) of 500 mg/dL or higher are considered elevated for risk of pancreatitis.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA described herein may be used to manage body weight or reduce fat mass in a subject.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA as described herein inhibits expression of the human ANGPTL8 gene, or both human and cynomolgus ANGPTL8 genes. The expression of the ANGPTL8 gene in a subject may be inhibited, or the ANGPTL8 protein levels in the subject may be reduced, by at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 99%, or about 100% after treatment as compared to pretreatment levels. In some embodiments, expression of the ANGPTL8 gene is inhibited, or the ANGPTL8 protein levels in the subject may be reduced, by at least about 2, at least about 5, at least about 10, at least about 15, at least about 20, at least about 25, at least about 50, at least about 75, or at least about 100 fold after treatment as compared to pretreatment levels. In some embodiments, the ANGPTL8 gene is inhibited or the ANGPTL8 protein levels are reduced in the liver of the subject.
In some embodiments, expression of the ANGPTL8 gene is decreased by the dsRNA for about 12 or more, 24 or more, or 36 or more hours. In some embodiments, expression of the ANGPTL8 gene is decreased for an extended duration, e.g., at least about two, three, four, five, or six days or more, e.g., about one week, two weeks, three weeks, or four weeks or longer.
As used herein, the terms “inhibit the expression of” or “inhibiting expression of,” insofar as they refer to the ANGPTL8 gene, refer to the at least partial suppression of the expression of the ANGPTL8 gene, as manifested by a reduction in the amount of mRNA transcribed from the ANGPTL8 gene in a first cell or group of cells treated such that the expression of the ANGPTL8 gene is inhibited, as compared to a second cell or group of cells substantially identical to the first cell or group of cells but which has or have not been so treated (control cells). Such inhibition can be assessed, e.g., by Northern analysis, in situ hybridization, B-DNA analysis, expression profiling, transcription of reporter constructs, and other techniques known in the art. As used herein, the term “inhibiting” is used interchangeably with “reducing,” “silencing,” “downregulating,” “suppressing,” and other similar terms, and include any level of inhibition. The degree of inhibition is usually expressed in terms of (((mRNA in control cells)-(mRNA in treated cells))/(mRNA in control cells))×100%.
Alternatively, the degree of inhibition may be given in terms of a reduction of a parameter that is functionally linked to ANGPTL8 gene transcription, e.g., the amount of protein encoded by the ANGPTL8 gene in a cell (as assessed, e.g., by Western analysis, expression of a reporter protein, ELISA, immunoprecipitation, or other techniques known in the art), or the number of cells displaying a certain phenotype, e.g., apoptosis. In principle, ANGPTL8 gene silencing may be determined in any cell expressing the target, either constitutively or by genomic engineering, and by any appropriate assay. However, when a reference is needed in order to determine whether a given dsRNA inhibits the expression of the ANGPTL8 gene by a certain degree and therefore is encompassed by the present disclosure, the assays provided in the Examples below shall serve as such a reference.
In some embodiments, the effect of inhibiting ANGPTL8 gene expression by any of the methods described herein results in a decrease in triglyceride levels in a subject (e.g., in the blood and/or serum of the subject). In some embodiments, triglyceride levels are decreased to below one of the following levels: 500, 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, or 50 mg/dL.
A subject's triglyceride levels may be determined in any of numerous ways known in the art. In some embodiments, a subject's triglyceride levels are determined using a sample from the subject such as blood, serum, or plasma.
A dsRNA or pharmaceutical composition described herein may be administered by any means known in the art, including, without limitation, oral or parenteral routes, including intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, pulmonary, transdermal, and airway (aerosol) administration. Typically, when treating a patient with hypertriglyceridemia, the dsRNA molecules are administered systemically via parenteral means. In some embodiments, the dsRNAs and/or compositions are administered by subcutaneous administration. In some embodiments, the dsRNAs and/or compositions are administered by intravenous administration. In some embodiments, the dsRNAs and/or compositions are administered by pulmonary administration.
As used herein, in the context of ANGPTL8 expression, the terms “treat,” “treatment” and the like refer to relief from or alleviation of pathological processes mediated by target gene expression. In the context of the present disclosure, insofar as it relates to any of the conditions recited herein, the terms “treat,” “treatment,” and the like refer to relieving or alleviating one or more symptoms associated with said condition. For example, in the context of hypertriglyceridemia, treatment may involve a decrease in serum triglyceride levels. As used herein, to “alleviate” a disease, disorder or condition means reducing the severity and/or occurrence frequency of the symptoms of the disease, disorder, or condition. Further, references herein to “treatment” include references to curative, palliative and prophylactic treatment.
As used herein, the terms “prevent” or “delay progression of” (and grammatical variants thereof), with respect to a condition relate to prophylactic treatment of a condition, e.g., in an individual suspected to have or be at risk for developing the condition. Prevention may include, but is not limited to, preventing or delaying onset or progression of the condition and/or maintaining one or more symptoms of the disease at a desired or sub-pathological level. For example, in the context of hypertriglyceridemia, prevention may involve maintaining serum triglyceride levels at a desired level in an individual suspected to have or be at risk for developing hypertriglyceridemia.
It is understood that the dsRNAs of the present disclosure may be for use in a treatment as described herein, may be used in a method of treatment as described herein, and/or may be for use in the manufacture of a medicament for a treatment as described herein.
In some embodiments, a dsRNA of the present disclosure is administered in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, such as other siRNA therapeutic agents, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecules, to provide a greater improvement to the condition of the patient than administration of the dsRNA alone. In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent provides an anti-inflammatory effect. In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an agent that treats hypertriglyceridemia, such as a lipid-lowering agent.
In some embodiments, the additional agent may be one or more of a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (e.g., a statin), a fibrate, a bile acid sequestrant, niacin, nicotinic acid, an antiplatelet agent, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (e.g., losartan potassium), an acylCoA cholesterol acetyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, a cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor, a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP) inhibitor, a cholesterol modulator, a bile acid modulator, a peroxisome proliferation activated receptor (PPAR) agonist, an omega-3 fatty acid (e.g., fish oil or flaxseed oil), and insulin or an insulin analog. Particular examples include, without limitation, atorvastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, ezetimibe, bezafibrate, clofibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, ciprofibrate, cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam, and niacin.
In certain embodiments, a dsRNA as described herein may be administered in combination with another therapeutic intervention such as lipid lowering, weight loss, dietary modification, and/or moderate exercise.
Genetic predisposition plays a role in the development of target gene associated diseases, e.g., hypertriglyceridemia. Therefore, a subject in need of treatment with one or more dsRNAs of the present disclosure may be identified by taking a family history, or, for example, screening for one or more genetic markers or variants. Examples of genes involved in hypertriglyceridemia may include, without limitation, LPL, APOB, APOC2, APOA5, APOE, LMF1, GCKR, GPIHBP1, and GPD1. In certain embodiments, a subject in need of treatment with one or more dsRNAs of the present disclosure may be identified by screening for variants of or loss-of-function mutations in any of these genes or any combination thereof.
A healthcare provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or family member, can take a family history before prescribing or administering a dsRNA of the present disclosure. In addition, a test may be performed to determine a genotype or phenotype. For example, a DNA test may be performed on a sample from the subject, e.g., a blood sample, to identify the ANGPTL8 genotype and/or phenotype before the dsRNA is administered to the subject.
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to an article of manufacture or a kit comprising one or more of the dsRNAs, vectors, or compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) as described herein useful for the treatment and/or prevention of an ANGPTL8-associated condition (e.g., a lipid metabolism disorder such as hypertriglyceridemia). The article of manufacture or kit may further comprise a container and a label or package insert on or associated with the container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, IV solution bags, etc. The containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds a composition which is by itself or combined with another composition effective for treating or preventing the disease and may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). At least one active agent in the composition is a dsRNA as described herein. The label or package insert indicates that the composition is used for treating an ANGPTL8-associated condition. In some embodiments, the condition is a lipid metabolism disorder such as hypertriglyceridemia and/or another condition described herein.
Moreover, the article of manufacture or kit may comprise (a) a first container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a dsRNA as described herein; and (b) a second container with a composition contained therein, wherein the composition comprises a second therapeutic agent (e.g., an additional agent as described herein). The article of manufacture or kit in this aspect of the present disclosure may further comprise a package insert indicating that the compositions can be used to treat a particular disease. Alternatively, or additionally, the article of manufacture or kit may further comprise a second (or third) container comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and/or user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, and syringes.
Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary methods and materials are described below, although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. Generally, nomenclature used in connection with, and techniques of, cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, and protein and nucleic acid chemistry and hybridization described herein are those well-known and commonly used in the art. Enzymatic reactions and purification techniques are performed according to the manufacturer's specifications, as commonly accomplished in the art or as described herein. Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Throughout this specification and embodiments, the words “have” and “comprise,” or variations such as “has,” “having,” “comprises,” or “comprising,” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. All publications and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although a number of documents are cited herein, this citation does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.
In order for the present disclosure to be better understood, the following examples are set forth. These examples are for illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any manner.
siRNAs, including non-targeting control siRNAs (NT control), were produced using solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis.
siRNA Production
RNA oligonucleotides were synthesized at a scale of 1 μmol (in vitro) or 10 μmol (in vivo) on a ABI 394 DNA/RNA or BioAutomation MerMade 12 synthesizer using commercially available 5′-O-DMT-3′-O-(2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl) phosphoramidite monomers (SAFC) of uridine, 4-N-acetylcytidine (CAc), 6-N-benzoyladenosine (ABz) and 2-N-isobutyrylguanosine (GiBu) with 2′-OMe or 2′-F modification, and the solid supports 5′-O-DMT-thymidine-CPG and 3′-O-DMT-thymidine-CPG (invdT, Link) following standard protocols for solid phase synthesis and deprotection (Beaucage et al., Curr. Opin. Drug Discov. Devel. (2008) 11:203-16; Mueller et al., Curr. Org. Synth. (2004) 1:293-307).
Phosphoramidite building blocks were used as 0.1 M solutions in acetonitrile and activated with 5-(bis-3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1H-tetrazole (activator 42, 0.25 M in acetonitrile, Sigma Aldrich). Reaction times of 300 s were used for the phosphoramidite couplings. As capping reagents, acetic anhydride in THF (CapA for ABI, Sigma Aldrich) and N-methylimidazole in THF (CapB for ABI, Sigma Aldrich) were used. As oxidizing reagent, iodine in THF/pyridine/water (0.02 M; oxidizer for ABI, Sigma Aldrich) was used. Deprotection of the DMT-protecting group was done using dichloroacetic acid in DCM (DCA deblock, Sigma Aldrich). Final cleavage from solid support and deprotection (acyl- and cyanoethyl-protecting groups) was achieved with NH3 (32% aqueous solution/ethanol, v/v 3:1).
The crude oligonucleotides were analyzed by IEX and LC-MS and purified by anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (IEX-HPLC) using a linear gradient of 10-65% buffer B in 30 min. ÄKTA purifier (Thermo Fisher Scientific DNAPac PA200 semi prep ion exchange column, 8 μm particles, width 22 mm×length 250 mm).
Isolation of the oligonucleotides was achieved by precipitation, induced by the addition of 4 volumes of ethanol and storing at −20° C.
To ensure high fidelity of the data, all single strands were HPLC purified to >85% purity. The purity and identity of the oligonucleotides was confirmed by ion exchange chromatography and LC-MS, respectively.
For the in vitro experiments (100 μM solutions) and in vivo experiments (10 mg/ml), stock solutions of siRNAs in PBS were prepared by mixing equimolar amounts of complementary sense and antisense strands in 1×PBS buffer. The solutions were heated to 90° C. for 10 min and allowed to slowly cool to room temperature to complete the annealing process. siRNAs were further characterized by HPLC and were stored frozen until use.
siRNA Sequences
The sequences of each siRNA, and sequences including nucleotide modifications, are shown in Tables 1 and 2, supra.
siRNA Stability in Mouse Serum
Modified siRNAs were tested for nuclease stability in 50% mouse serum. 160 μL of 2.5 μM siRNA in 1×DPBS (Life Technologies, cat. no. 14190-094) and 160 μL mouse serum (Sigma, cat. no. M5905) were incubated at 37° C. for up to 72 h. At each time-point (0 h, 8 h, 24 h, 32 h, 48 h, 56 h, and 72 h), 20 μL of the reaction was taken out and quenched with a stop solution (Tissue & Cell Lysis Solution (Epicentre, cat. no. MTC096H), Proteinase K (Sigma, cat. no. P2308), water) at 65° C. for 30 min. Prior to HPLC analysis on a Waters 2695 Separation Module and a 2487 Dual Absorbance Detector, RNase-free water was added to each sample. The solution was analyzed by HPLC using a DNAPac PA200 analytical column (Thermo Scientific, cat. no. 063000).
Serum half-lives were estimated for both strands of the siRNA.
Human Hep3B cells were grown at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 95% relative humidity (RH), and cultivated in EMEM medium (ATCC, cat. no. 30-2003) supplemented with 10% FBS.
siRNA Transfections
For knock-down experiments in Hep3B cells, 20,000 cells/well were used in 96-well plates (Greiner, cat. no. 655180). The cells were transfected with ANGPTL8 siRNAs at 0.1 nM and 1 nM using 0.2 μL/well of Lipofectamine RNAiMAX transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to the manufacturer's protocol in a reverse transfection setup, and incubated for 48 h without medium change. Usually, N=4 technical replicates were carried out per test sample.
mRNA Expression Analysis
48 or 72 hours after siRNA transfection or free siRNA uptake, the cellular RNA was harvested by usage of Promega's SV96 total RNA isolation system (cat. no. Z3500) according to the manufacturer's protocol, including a DNase step during the procedure.
For cDNA synthesis, the Thermo Fisher Reverse Transcriptase kit (cat. no. N8080234) was used. cDNA was synthesized from 30 ng RNA using 1.2 μL 10×RT buffer, 2.64 μL MgCl2 (25 mM), 2.4 μL dNTPs (10 mM), 0.6 μL random hexamers (50 μM), 0.6 μL Oligo(dT)16 (SEQ ID NO: 533) (50 μM), 0.24 μL RNase inhibitor (20 U/μL) and 0.3 μL Multiscribe (50 U/μL) in a total volume of 12 μL. Samples were incubated at 25° C. for 10 minutes and 42° C. for 60 minutes. The reaction was stopped by heating to 95° C. for 5 minutes.
Human and cynomolgus ANGPTL8 mRNA levels were quantified by qPCR using the Thermo Fisher TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix (cat. no. 4305719) and the following TaqMan Gene Expression assays:
PCR was performed in technical duplicates with an ABI Prism 7900 system under the following PCR conditions: 2 minutes at 50° C., 10 minutes at 95° C., 40 cycles with 95° C. for 15 seconds and 1 minute at 60° C. PCR was set up as a simplex PCR detecting the target gene in one reaction and the housekeeping gene (human/cynomolgus RPL37A) for normalization in a parallel reaction. The final volume for the PCR reaction was 12.5 μL in a 1×PCR master mix; RPL37A primers were used at a final concentration of 50 nM and the probe was used at a final concentration of 200 nM. The ΔΔCt method was applied to calculate relative expression levels of the target transcripts. Percentage of target gene expression was calculated by normalization based on the levels of non-targeting siRNA control treated cells.
For IC50 measurements, 20,000 human Hep3B cells in 96-well plates were transfected with Lipofectamine RNAiMAX for 48 hours with the indicated ANGPTL8 siRNAs at 7 concentrations starting from 25 nM using 5-8-fold dilution steps. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for each siRNA was calculated by applying a Biostat-Speed statistical calculation tool. Results were obtained using the 4-parameter logistic model according to Ratkovsky and Reedy (Biometrics (1986) 42(3):575-82). The adjustment was obtained by non-linear regression using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm in SAS v9.1.3 software.
Cytotoxicity was measured 72 hours after 5 nM and 50 nM siRNA transfections of a culture of 10,000 Hep3B cells per well of a 96-well plate by determining the ratio of cellular viability/toxicity in each sample. Cell viability was measured by determination of the intracellular ATP content using the CellTiter-Glo assay (Promega, cat. no. G7570) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Cell toxicity was measured in the supernatant using the ToxiLight assay (Lonza, cat. no. LT07-217) according to the manufacturer's protocol. 10 nM AllStars Hs Cell Death siRNA (Qiagen, cat. no. SI04381048), 25 μM Ketoconazole (Calbiochem, cat. no. 420600) and 1% Triton X-100 (Sigma, cat. no. T9284) were used as toxic positive controls.
In order to identify siRNAs useful in targeting human ANGPTL8, the following criteria were applied for in silico library generation: First, 19 mers from the human ANGPTL8 mRNA sequence as set forth in NM_018687.6 were identified in silico with an overlap of 18 nucleotides. The resulting pool of 862 19 mers was then aligned to the ANGPTL8 mRNA sequence of Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus monkey), resulting in the exclusion of all sequences having more than 1 mismatch in M. fascicularis. This left 401 siRNA sequences with 0 mismatches, and an additional 294 siRNA sequences with 1 mismatch.
For the remaining sequences with a G/C content of 30-55%, an in silico analysis was then carried out to identify any potential off-target transcripts matching either siRNA strand (sense/antisense) in the human transcriptome (RefSeq RNA version 2015-12-22). Human off-target sequences with RNAseq expression (Illumina Body Atlas) FPKM<0.5 in liver tissue were not considered. All siRNA sequences of interest had either greater than three mismatches to any human transcript expressed in liver other than ANGPTL8, or had two mismatches with four or fewer human genes; sequences that did not meet one of these two criteria were filtered out. After this filtration, 132 potential siRNAs were left (see Table 1).
As described above, the 132 siRNAs were produced with nucleotides having a fixed pattern of 2′O-methyl and 2′-fluoro groups (see Table 2). To test the ability of these 132 siRNAs to reduce expression of ANGPTL8, human Hep3B cells were transfected with 0.1 nM or 1.0 nM of each siRNA and incubated for 48 hours. After incubation, mRNA expression of ANGPTL8 was measured in each sample and compared to positive and negative controls (
IC50 measurements (Table 5) and a cytotoxicity assay (
Taken together, these results demonstrate the identification of siRNAs capable of potent inhibition of human ANGPTL8 expression without significant cytotoxicity in human cells.
GalNAc-siRNAs, including non-targeting control siRNAs (NT control), were generated based on the sequences as indicated (see sequence listings above).
Human (BioreclamationIVT, cat. no. M00995-P) and cynomolgus (Primacyt, cat. no. CHCP-I-T) primary hepatocytes were cultured as follows: cryopreserved cells were thawed and plated using a plating and thawing kit (Primacyt, cat. no. PTK-1), and were incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 95% RH. 6 hours after plating, the medium was changed to maintenance medium (KaLy-Cell, cat. no. KLC-MM) supplemented with 1% FBS.
mRNA expression analysis was performed as described above in Example 1.
For demonstration of dose-activity relationships and IC50 measurements in human and cynomolgus primary hepatocytes under free uptake conditions, 50,000-70,000 cells in 96-well plates were incubated for 72 hours without medium change with the siRNAs at concentrations ranging from 10 μM-0.01 nM using 10-fold dilution steps. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for each siRNA was calculated by applying a Biostat-Speed statistical calculation tool. Results were obtained using the 4-parameter logistic model according to Ratkovsky and Reedy (Biometrics (1986) 42(3):575-582). The adjustment was obtained by non-linear regression using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm in SAS v9.1.3 software.
Following selection of potent siRNAs, we went on to demonstrate whether the selected molecules retain their activity in the context of a GalNAc-conjugate suitable for liver specific siRNA delivery in vivo. We also assessed whether this activity holds up in cells from M. fascicularis (cynomolgus monkey), a pre-clinical species.
The results of the IC50 measurements show that all tested siRNA conjugates retain activity when delivered by free uptake to human primary hepatocytes (Table 6), with IC50 values ranging from 8.12-475 nM. Surprisingly, however, the performance ranking following free uptake of GalNAc-siRNA differs significantly from that obtained after transfection assisted uptake of unconjugated siRNA (Table 5). This indicates that siRNAs seem to have inherent properties based on their sequence that makes them differentially suited for application in the context of GalNAc conjugates with regard to resulting knock-down potency.
Even more surprisingly, the siRNAs show differential dose-activity relationships in cynomolgus hepatocytes that do not correlate with their mismatches to the M. fascicularis sequence (
Human Hep3B cells were grown at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 95% RH, and cultivated in EMEM medium (ATCC, cat. no. 30-2003) supplemented with 10% FBS.
Human (BioreclamationIVT, cat. no. M00995-P) and cynomolgus (Primacyt, cat. no. CHCP-I-T) primary hepatocytes were cultured as follows: cryopreserved cells were thawed and plated using a plating and thawing kit (Primacyt, cat. no. PTK-1), and were incubated at 37° C., 5% CO2 and 95% RH. 6 hours after plating, the medium was changed to maintenance medium (KaLy-Cell, cat. no. KLC-MM) supplemented with 1% FBS.
Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from approximately 16 mL of blood from three healthy donors that were collected in Vacutainer tubes coated with sodium heparin (BD, Heidelberg Germany) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
For transfection of human PBMCs, 100 nM of the siRNAs were reverse transfected into 1×105 PBMCs with 0.3 μL Lipofectamine 2000 per well of a 96-well plate (N=2) in a total volume of 150 μL serum-free RPMI medium (Thermo Fisher, cat. no. 11875) for 24 hours. Single-stranded RNA (“R-0006”) and DNA (“CpG ODN”) oligonucleotides, as well as double-stranded unmodified and 2′-O-methyl modified siRNA (“132/161”), were applied as controls.
IFNα protein concentration was quantified in the supernatant of human PBMCs as follows: 25 μL of the cell culture supernatant was used for measurement of IFNα concentration applying a self-established electrochemiluminescence assay based on MesoScale Discovery's technology, and using a pan IFNα monoclonal capture antibody (MT1/3/5, Mabtech). Alternatively, a human IFNα2a isoform-specific assay (cat. no. K151VHK) was applied based on MesoScale's U-PLEX platform and according to the supplier's protocol.
siRNA cytotoxicity in human primary hepatocytes was measured 72 hours after incubation of 45,000-50,000 cells per well of a 96-well plate with 1 μM, 5 μM and 25 μM siRNA under free uptake conditions by determining the ratio of cellular viability/toxicity in each sample. Cell viability was measured by determination of the intracellular ATP content using the CellTiter-Glo assay (Promega, cat. no. G7570), and cell toxicity was measured in the supernatant using the LDH assay (Sigma, cat. no. 11644793001) according to the manufacturer's protocols. 25 μM Ketoconazole and 1% Triton X-100 were used as positive controls.
The GalNAc-conjugated siRNAs were tested for nuclease stability using the method described in Example 1.
To assess the effect of GalNAc-siRNAs targeting human ANGPTL8 in vivo, a transgene expression system based on adeno-associated viral vectors was applied in mice. To this end, an AAV8 vector with liver specific expression of a bicistronic mRNA, simultaneously encoding human ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8 from an ApoA2 promoter (Vectalys, Toulouse, France), was administered intravenously to female C57BL/6 mice (Charles River, Germany) before siRNA dosing. GalNAc-conjugated siRNAs (including non-targeting control) were administered subcutaneously at 15 mg/kg (n=8) after serum levels of human ANGPTL3 expressed from the AAV vector reached sufficiently high serum levels. Activity of siRNAs targeting human ANGPTL8 was quantified by measuring human ANGPTL3 as a surrogate.
Serum ANGPTL3 protein levels in mice treated with siRNAs were quantified by applying R&D Systems' human ANGPTL3 Quantikine ELISA kit (cat. no. DANL30). ANGPTL3 serum levels were calculated relative to the group treated with non-targeting control siRNA.
The immune response to 12 GalNAc-siRNAs targeting ANGPTL8 was measured in vitro in human primary cells by examining the production of interferon α secreted from human primary PBMCs isolated from three different healthy donors (
The ANGPTL8 GalNAc-siRNAs were also tested for their in vitro nuclease stability in 50% murine serum by determining their relative stability and half-lives (Table 7). Half-lives ranged between 24 h and 72 h.
A cytotoxicity assay was carried out in human primary hepatocytes to exclude GalNAc-siRNAs with any toxic potential from further selection (
Finally, four selected GalNAc-siRNAs molecules were tested in vivo using the above-described humanized mouse model expressing human ANGPTL8 mRNA (together with ANGPTL3 from a bicistronic construct) (
In another study, Hep3B cell line overexpressing human ANGPTL8 were transfected with Lipofectamine RNAiMAX with siRNA#042-c for 72 h at 10 concentrations starting from 25 nM, using 2-10-fold dilution steps. Human ANGPTL8 expression was assayed by Western blot in whole cell protein extracts by using a mouse anti-human ANGPTL8 IgG (R&D System, MAB8548) as a primary antibody, a peroxidase-conjugated AffiniPure Goat anti-mouse IgG (JIR Lab. Inc, 11-035-062) as a secondary antibody, and the ECL detection system (GE Healthcare). The data show that siRNA#042-c inhibited human ANGPTL8 expression in Hep3B in a dose-dependent manner, with a half inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 0.01 nM and a complete inhibition concentration at 0.1 nM. These results further demonstrate the superior ANGPTL8-inhibitory activity of the tested construct.
Production of Modified GalNAc siRNA Sequences
GalNAc siRNA sequences further optimized with modified nucleotides of formula (I) were synthesized as described in PCT Patent Publication WO 2019/170731. All oligonucleotides were synthesized on an ABI 394 synthesizer. Commercially available (Sigma Aldrich) DNA-, RNA-, 2′-OMe-RNA, and 2′-deoxy-F-RNA-phosphoramidites with standard protecting groups, e.g., 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-thymidine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-uracile-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N4-cytidine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N6-benzoyl-adenosine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-N2-isobutyryl-guanosine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-methyl-uracile-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-methyl-N4-cytidine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-methyl-N6-benzoyl-adenosine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-methyl-N2-isobutyryl-guanosine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-desoxy-fluoro-uracile-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-deoxy-fluoro-N4-cytidine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-deoxy-fluoro-N6-benzoyl-adenosine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite, and 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-deoxy-fluoro-N2-isobutyryl-guanosine-3′-O—(N,N-diisopropyl-2-cyanoethyl)-phosphoramidite as well as the corresponding solid support materials (CPG-500 Å, loading 40 mmol/g, ChemGenes) were used for automated oligonucleotide synthesis.
Phosphoramidite building blocks were used as 0.1 M solutions in acetonitrile and activated with 5-(bis-3,5-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1H-tetrazole (activator 42, 0.25 M in acetonitrile, Sigma Aldrich). Reaction times of 200 s were used for standard phosphoramidite couplings. In case of phosphoramidites described herein, coupling times of 300 s were applied. As capping reagents, acetic anhydride in THF (capA for ABI, Sigma Aldrich) and N-methylimidazole in THF (capB for ABI, Sigma Aldrich) were used. As oxidizing reagent, iodine in THF/pyridine/water (0.02 M; oxidizer for ABI, Sigma Aldrich) was used. Alternatively, PS-oxidation was achieved with a 0.05 M solution of 3-((N,N-dimethyl-aminomethylidene)amino)-3H-1,2,4-dithiazole-5-thione (DDTT) in pyridine/acetonitrile (1:1). Deprotection of the DMT-protecting group was done using dichloroacetic acid in DCM (DCA deblock, Sigma Aldrich). Final cleavage from solid support and deprotection (acyl- and cyanoethyl-protecting groups) was achieved with NH3 (32% aqueous solution/ethanol, v/v 3:1). Treatment with NMP/HF (3:1.5:2) was applied for TBDMS-deprotection.
Oligonucleotides with herein described building blocks at the 3′-end were synthesized on solid support materials shown in Table B or on universal linker-solid support (CPG-500 Å, loading 39 μmol/g, AM Chemicals LLC) and the corresponding phosphoramidites shown in Table A.
Crude products were analyzed by HPLC and single strand purification was performed using ion exchange or preparative HPLC-methods.
Preparative HPLC: Agilent 1100 series prep HPLC (Waters XBridge®BEH C18 OBD™ Prep Column 130 Å, 5 μm, 10 mm×100 mm); Eluent: Triethylammonium acetate (0.1 M in acetonitrile/water). After lyophilization, the products were dissolved in 1.0 mL 2.5 M NaCl solution and 4.0 mL H2O. The corresponding Na+-salts were isolated after precipitation by adding 20 mL ethanol and storing at −20° C. for 18 h.
Final analysis of the single strands was done by LC/MS-TOF methods. For double strand formation, equimolar amounts of sense strands and antisense strands were mixed in 1×PBS buffer and heated to 85° C. for 10 min. Then it was slowly cooled down to room temperature. Final analysis of the siRNA-double strands was done by LC/MS-TOF methods.
Annealing of siRNA duplexes was performed as described in Example 1. The sequences of each siRNA, including nucleotide modifications, are shown in Tables 3 and 4.
siRNA Stability in Mouse Serum
Stability of optimized ANGPTL8 siRNAs was determined as described in Example 1 with the following exceptions: siRNAs were incubated at 37° C. for 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 168 h. Proteinase K was purchased from Qiagen (cat. no. 19133) and HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent Technologies 1260 Infinity II instrument using a 1260 DAD detector.
Human Hep3B cells, primary human hepatocytes, and primary human PBMCs were isolated and cultivated as described in Examples 2-4. Analysis of mRNA was performed as described in Example 2. Cytotoxicity was measured 72 hours after 5 nM and 50 nM siRNA transfections of human Hep3B cells as described in Example 2. IFNα protein concentration was quantified in the supernatant of human PBMCs as described in Example 4.
In vivo activity of modified GalNAc-ANGPTL8 siRNAs was measured in mice transduced with a bicistronic AAV8 vector encoding for human ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8 mRNA as described in Example 4. In contrast with Example 4, a single siRNA dose of 6 mg/kg was injected subcutaneously into 5 male C57BL/6 mice per treatment group. Serum ANGPTL3 levels were measured by ELISA.
Serum ANGPTL3 protein levels in mice treated with modified GalNAc-ANGPTL8 siRNAs were used as surrogate for the determination of hepatic in vivo siRNA activities and quantified as described in Example 4.
Fifty-four different siRNA modification patterns were designed and applied to two GalNAc-conjugated siRNA constructs (siRNA#023-c and siRNA#042-c). The library of 2×54 siRNA molecules (siRNA#023-c-01 to siRNA#023-c-54 and siRNA#042-c-01 to siRNA#042-c-54, Tables 3 and 4) was synthesized using three consecutive modified GalNAc-conjugated nucleotides at the 5′-end of the respective siRNA sense strands.
All of the 108 modified ANGPTL8 siRNAs were tested for their nuclease stability in 50% mouse serum (half-life t112). As depicted in Table 8, numerous modified constructs displayed significantly improved stability as compared to their parent constructs having a fixed pattern of 2′O-methyl and 2′-fluoro modified nucleotides. For the constructs derived from siRNA#023-c, the serum half-lives improved from approximately 72 h for the parental construct to 168 h or more for the modified constructs. For the constructs derived from siRNA#042-c, serum half-lives improved from approximately 32 h to 96 h or more.
Next, all of the 108 modified GalNAc-siRNAs were evaluated for their knock-down potency in primary human hepatocytes under free uptake conditions using 1 nM, 10 nM, and 100 nM concentrations of the modified siRNAs. The parent constructs siRNA#023-c and siRNA#042-c were used as positive controls. Data are shown in
Based on the in vitro knock-down activity and nuclease stability data, twelve modified variants were selected for each of the two parent constructs. Prior to in vivo activity testing, the 2×12 modified constructs were investigated for their ability to stimulate innate immunity in human PBMCs (
Finally, the 2×12 selected modified constructs were tested in vivo as described in Example 4. For this experiment, mice were injected intraveneously with a bicistronic AAV8 construct encoding ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL8. Treated mice expressed human ANGPTLs 3 and 8, where knockdown of mRNA led to reduced expression of both proteins. The data show that following the siRNA injection, the protein levels of surrogate biomarker ANGPTL3 were reduced up to 95% (KDmax) compared to animals treated with PBS (
In summary, we have demonstrated successful identification of siRNAs that strongly reduce expression of human ANGPTL8 mRNA and protein translated from it in the context of GalNAc-conjugates in vivo and in vitro. Surprisingly, some identified siRNAs further successfully target cynomolgus ANGPTL8 mRNA despite single base sequence mismatch. We have also demonstrated unexpectedly strong improvement of in vivo efficacy of siRNAs by introduction of optimized modification patterns using modified nucleotides.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18306562.2 | Nov 2018 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/082216 | 11/22/2019 | WO | 00 |
