Targeting Extracellular Histones with Novel RNA Bio-Drugs for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury

Abstract

Extracellular histones have been proposed as a causative agent of acute lung injury (ALI). The goal of this proposal was to develop a therapeutic to neutralize (inactivate) circulating histones and prevent the multiple organ dysfunction/acute respiratory distress syndrome (MODS/ARDS) occurring with ALI. To accomplish this goal, we developed synthetic oligonucleotides(RNA aptamers) that bind to extracellular histones known to cause MODS/ARDS but do not bind to other serum proteins. Invitro studies showed that selected RNA aptamers protected from histone-mediate cytotoxicity, platelet aggregation, inflammatory activation, and calcium influx. In a murine model of histone-mediated ALI, aptamers attenuated pulmonary toxicity and improved survival. In a smoke inhalation model of ALI, RNA aptamer protected mice from alveolar barrier disruption, decreased cytokine activation, and neutrophil infiltration. RNA aptamer attenuated weight loss, barrier disruption and inflammation in the lungs in a murine model of H1N1 influenza. The RNA aptamers did not activate innate immunity and caused no abnormalities of general clinical chemistries, or of liver and kidney function.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2020
Accession Number
AD1108199

Entities

People

  • Francis J. Miller

Organizations

  • Duke University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Blood
  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Blood Proteins
  • Body Weight
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Health Services
  • Lung Diseases
  • Medical Personnel
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Proteins
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance
  • Wounds And Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Molecular Genetics