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Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are an emerging class of gene-specific therapeutics for diseases associated with the central nervous system (CNS). However, ASO delivery across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to their CNS target cells remains a major challenge. Since ASOs are mainly taken up into the brain capillary endothelial cells interface through endosomal routes, entrapment in the endosomal compartment is a major obstacle for efficient CNS delivery of ASOs. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of a panel of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) bearing several endosomal escape domains for the intracellular delivery, endosomal release and antisense activity of FDA-approved Spinraza (Nusinersen), an ASO used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We identified a CPP, HA2-ApoE(131–150), which, when conjugated to Nusinersen, showed efficient endosomal escape capability and significantly …