Reliable detection and quantification of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in experimental and clinical specimens are essential to understand the biological function of novel oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. In this study, we describe a method to detect and quantify ASOs in biological samples, whereby the ASO acts as a splint to direct the ligation of complementary probes and quantitative real-time PCR was used to monitor ligation products. Low levels of 2'-O-methoxyethyl (2'-O-MOE) gapmer ASO in serum, liver, kidney, lung, heart, muscle, and brain tissues can be detected over a 6-log linear range for detection using this method. This method allows quantification of various types of chemically modified ASOs, including phosphorothioate linkage, 2'-O-methyl, 2'-O-MOE, and locked nucleic acid, as well as siRNAs. This method does not require probe modifications, and can be performed using standard laboratory equipment; making it a fast, sensitive, and reliable technique that can be widely applied. This detection method may find potential applications in detection of therapeutic oligonucleotides in biological samples.
Keywords: SplintR ligase; antisense oligonucleotides; qPCR; quantification.