Reduced retinal microvascular density, improved forepaw reach, comparative microarray and gene set enrichment analysis with c-jun targeting DNA enzyme

PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e39160. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039160. Epub 2012 Jul 17.

Abstract

Retinal neovascularization is a critical component in the pathogenesis of common ocular disorders that cause blindness, and treatment options are limited. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of a DNA enzyme targeting c-jun mRNA in mice with pre-existing retinal neovascularization. A single injection of Dz13 in a lipid formulation containing N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium methyl-sulfate and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine inhibited c-Jun expression and reduced retinal microvascular density. The DNAzyme inhibited retinal microvascular density as effectively as VEGF-A antibodies. Comparative microarray and gene expression analysis determined that Dz13 suppressed not only c-jun but a range of growth factors and matrix-degrading enzymes. Dz13 in this formulation inhibited microvascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tubule formation in vitro. Moreover, animals treated with Dz13 sensed the top of the cage in a modified forepaw reach model, unlike mice given a DNAzyme with scrambled RNA-binding arms that did not affect c-Jun expression. These findings demonstrate reduction of microvascular density and improvement in forepaw reach in mice administered catalytic DNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / immunology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • DNA, Catalytic / pharmacology*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Eye Diseases / complications
  • Eye Diseases / genetics
  • Eye Diseases / physiopathology
  • Forelimb / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperoxia / complications
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Microvessels / drug effects*
  • Microvessels / metabolism
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*
  • Retina / drug effects*
  • Retina / physiopathology
  • Transcriptome / drug effects*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / immunology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA, Catalytic
  • Dz13 DNAzyme
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases