Bioconjugation of small Molecules to RNA impedes its recognition by toll-like receptor 7

A fundamental mechanism of the innate immune system is the recognition, via extra- and intracellular pattern recognition receptors, of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. A prominent example is represented by foreign nucleic acids, triggering the activation of several signaling pathways. Among t...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hellmuth, Isabell (Author) , Freund, Isabel (Author) , Eigenbrod, Tatjana (Author) , Dalpke, Alexander (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 2017
In: Frontiers in Microbial Immunology
Year: 2017, Volume: 8, Pages: ?
DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2017.00312
Online Access:Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00312
Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00312/full
Get full text
Author Notes:Isabell Hellmuth, Isabel Freund, Janine Schlöder, Salifu Seidu-Larry, Kathrin Thüring, Kaouthar Slama, Jens Langhanki, Stefka Kaloyanova, Tatjana Eigenbrod, Matthias Krumb, Sandra Röhm, Kalina Peneva, Till Opatz, Helmut Jonuleit, Alexander H. Dalpke, Mark Helm
Description
Summary:A fundamental mechanism of the innate immune system is the recognition, via extra- and intracellular pattern recognition receptors, of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. A prominent example is represented by foreign nucleic acids, triggering the activation of several signaling pathways. Among these, the endosomal toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is known to be activated by single stranded RNA (ssRNA), which can be specifically influenced through elements of sequence structure and posttranscriptional modifications. Furthermore, small molecules TLR7 agonists (smTLRa) are applied as boosting adjuvants in vaccination processes. In this context, covalent conjugations between adjuvant and vaccines have been reported to exhibit synergistic effects. Here, we describe a concept to chemically combine three therapeutic functions in one RNA bioconjugate. This consists in the simultaneous TLR7 stimulation by ssRNA and smTLRa as well as the therapeutic function of the RNA itself, e.g. as a vaccinating or knockdown agent. We have hence synthesized bioconjugates of mRNA and siRNA containing covalently attached smTLRa, and tested their function in TLR7 stimulation. Strikingly, the bioconjugates displayed decreased rather than synergistically increased stimulation. The decrease was distinct from the antagonistic action of an siRNA bearing a Gm motive, as observed by direct comparison of the effects in the presence of otherwise stimulatory RNA. In summary, these investigations showed that TRL7 activation can be impeded by bioconjugation of small molecules to RNA.
Item Description:Gesehen am 26.04.2018
Physical Description:Online Resource
DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2017.00312