Nanoparticle mediated silencing of tenascin C in hepatic stellate cells: effect on inflammatory gene expression and cell migration

J Mater Chem B. 2019 Dec 14;7(46):7396-7405. doi: 10.1039/c9tb01845j. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

Abstract

Chronic liver dysfunction often begins with hepatic fibrosis. A pivotal event in the progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and secretion of extracellular matrix proteins, including tenascin-C (TnC). TnC is often chosen as a therapeutic target for treatment of liver disease. TnC is minimally detected in healthy tissue, but is transiently expressed during tissue injury, and plays a critical role in fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis. siRNA therapy is a promising alternative to knock-down proteins relevant for fibrosis therapy. This study describes the application of a functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for the efficient transport and delivery of siTnC in HSCs. Silencing experiments in HSCs demonstrate the effective reduction of TnC mRNA and protein levels. In addition, attenuation of TnC expression due to the cellular uptake and release of siTnC from MSNs resulted in decreases of inflammatory cytokine levels and hepatocyte migration. We envision this siTnC-MSN platform as a promising alternative to evaluate siRNA therapy of chronic liver disease in preclinical trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Survival
  • Disease Progression
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / cytology*
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nanomedicine
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Tenascin / genetics*

Substances

  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TNC protein, human
  • Tenascin
  • Silicon Dioxide