Exploring dose and downregulation dynamics in lipid nanoparticles based siRNA therapy: Systematic review and

Anil Kumar1, Bakr Ahmed2, Indu Pal Kaur2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India.

Insights

This study determined the optimal dose for nanoformulated small interfering RNA (siRNA) in preclinical research. An average dose of 1.513 mg/kg achieved 65.79% gene downregulation, primarily in the liver.

Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmacology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Small interfering RNA (siRNA) offers therapeutic potential but faces delivery and safety challenges.
  • Lipidic nanoformulations are emerging solutions, yet optimal preclinical dosing is undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish the optimal dose of nanoformulated siRNA for preclinical studies.
  • To investigate factors affecting siRNA dose, biodistribution, and efficacy.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 preclinical studies.
  • Quality assessment using SYRCLE's risk of bias tool.
  • Analysis of dose-response and biodistribution data.

Main Results:

  • Average effective siRNA dose identified as 1.513 ± 0.377 mg/kg, yielding 65.79% gene downregulation.
  • siRNA-lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) predominantly accumulated in the liver.
  • A positive correlation between dose and downregulation was observed.

Conclusions:

  • The findings provide crucial dosing guidance for nanoformulated siRNA preclinical research.
  • Suggests an initial oral dose range of 1.5-8 mg/kg based on intravenous data and bioavailability.
  • Supports advancement of RNA interference therapeutics and personalized medicine.

Related Concept Videos

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs02:30

siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...
16.7K
Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)02:30

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

3.5K
Experimental RNAi02:15

Experimental RNAi

RNA interference (RNAi) is a cellular mechanism that inhibits gene expression by suppressing its transcription or activating the RNA degradation process. The mechanism was discovered by Andrew Fire and Craig Mello in 1998 in plants. Today, it is observed in almost all eukaryotes, including protozoa, flies, nematodes, insects, parasites, and mammals. This precise cellular mechanism of gene silencing has been developed into a technique that provides an efficient way to identify and determine the...
6.1K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.0K