Delivery of cholesteryl-conjugated phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides to Kupffer cells by lactosylated low-density lipoprotein

The efficacy of antisense oligonucleotides depends on the ability to reach in vivo their target cells. We aim to develop strategies to enhance uptake of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides by Kupffer cells. To this end, we conjugated cholesterol to ISIS-3082, a phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide specific for intercellular adhesion molecule-1. The cholesterol-conjugated oligonucleotide, denoted ISIS-9388, associated readily with lactosylated low-density lipoprotein (LacLDL), a lipidic carrier that is taken up by galactose receptors on Kupffer cells. Association of up to 10 molecules of ISIS-9388 per LacLDL particle did not induce aggregation. LacLDL-associated [ 3H]ISIS-9388 was rapidly taken up by the liver after injection into rats (52.9 ± 1.8% of the dose within 2 min versus 18.6 ± 2.8% for ISIS-3082). N-acetylgalactosamine inhibited hepatic uptake, indicating involvement of galactose-specific receptors. Liver cells were isolated at 60 min after injection of LacLDL-associated [ 3H]ISIS-9388. Kupffer cells displayed the highest uptake: 88.1 ± 24.7 ng of oligonucleotide/mg of cell protein, which is 6–14 times higher than after injection of free ISIS-9388 or ISIS-3082 (15.0 ± 3.8 ng and 6.3 ± 1.4 ng, respectively). It can be calculated that Kupffer cells contribute 43.9 ± 5.4% to the liver uptake (free ISIS-9388 and ISIS-3083 14.5 ± 3.1% and 8.3 ± 3.2%, respectively). In conclusion, conjugation of a phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide with cholesterol and its subsequent association with LacLDL results in a substantially increased Kupffer cell uptake of the oligonucleotide. As Kupffer cells play a key role in inflammation, our approach may be utilized to improve antisense-based therapeutic intervention during inflammation.