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RNA interference in the mouse vascular endothelium by systemic administration of siRNA-lipoplexes for cancer therapy

Gene Therapy volume 13, pages 1360–1370 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) entails the potential for novel therapeutic strategies through the silencing of disease-causing genes in vivo. However, recent studies have raised an issue regarding applicable routes of administration for small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules as therapeutics. In this study, we demonstrate that liposomally formulated siRNA molecules, the so-called siRNA-lipoplexes, but not naked siRNAs, are delivered to the tumor endothelial cells in vivo by microscopy. In addition, functional intracellular delivery of formulated siRNA targeting the tumor suppressor PTEN is shown in endothelial cells of the liver and tumor. Finally, the therapeutic potential of systemically administered siRNACD31-lipoplexes is established by inhibition of tumor growth in two different xenograft mouse models. Our findings corroborate the applicability of this liposomal siRNA delivery technology for inducing RNAi to modulate gene expression levels in angiogenesis-dependent processes. In addition, our results advocate CD31 as a promising therapeutic target for antiangiogenic intervention. Therefore, our study provides a basis for the development of antiangiogenic cancer therapies based on RNAi.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Hüseyin Aygün (BioSpring, Frankfurt a. M., Germany) for providing high-quality siRNA molecules and Ralf Sägebarth for bioinformatic design of siRNA sequences. We acknowledge Katharina Ahrens for critically reading the manuscript. This study was supported in part by a grant from the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (Grant #0313066E), the Senatsverwaltung Berlin (Grant #SenBB3066E) and the European Union (European Fond for regional Development).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atugen AG (SR Pharma plc subsidiary), Berlin, Germany

    A Santel, M Aleku, O Keil, J Endruschat, V Esche, B Durieux, K Löffler, M Fechtner, T Röhl, G Fisch, S Dames, W Arnold, K Giese, A Klippel & J Kaufmann

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Correspondence to J Kaufmann.

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Santel, A., Aleku, M., Keil, O. et al. RNA interference in the mouse vascular endothelium by systemic administration of siRNA-lipoplexes for cancer therapy. Gene Ther 13, 1360–1370 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3302778

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