Development of Nonviral Vectors Targeting the Brain as a Therapeutic Approach For Parkinson's Disease and Other Brain Disorders

Mol Ther. 2016 Apr;24(4):746-758. doi: 10.1038/mt.2015.232. Epub 2015 Dec 24.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability, for which there is no effective treatment available till date. Here, we report the development of nonviral vectors specific for neuronal cells that can deliver short interfering RNA (siRNA) against the α-synuclein gene (SNCA), and prevent PD-like symptoms both in vitro and in vivo. These vectors not only help siRNA duplexes cross the blood-brain barrier in mice, but also stabilize these siRNAs leading to a sustainable 60-90% knockdown of α-synuclein protein. Mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine rapidly develop PD-like symptoms which were significantly alleviated when SNCA was knocked down using our vectors. Together, our data not only confirm the central role of α-synuclein in the onset of PD, but also provide a proof of principle that these nonviral vectors can be used as novel tools to design effective strategies to combat central nervous system diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / adverse effects
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Parkinson Disease / etiology
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*
  • Peptide Library
  • RNA, Small Interfering / administration & dosage*
  • alpha-Synuclein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • alpha-Synuclein / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptide Library
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Snca protein, mouse
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine