Divalent siRNAs are bioavailable in the lung and efficiently block SARS-CoV-2 infection

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Mar 14;120(11):e2219523120. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2219523120. Epub 2023 Mar 9.

Abstract

The continuous evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants complicates efforts to combat the ongoing pandemic, underscoring the need for a dynamic platform for the rapid development of pan-viral variant therapeutics. Oligonucleotide therapeutics are enhancing the treatment of numerous diseases with unprecedented potency, duration of effect, and safety. Through the systematic screening of hundreds of oligonucleotide sequences, we identified fully chemically stabilized siRNAs and ASOs that target regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome conserved in all variants of concern, including delta and omicron. We successively evaluated candidates in cellular reporter assays, followed by viral inhibition in cell culture, with eventual testing of leads for in vivo antiviral activity in the lung. Previous attempts to deliver therapeutic oligonucleotides to the lung have met with only modest success. Here, we report the development of a platform for identifying and generating potent, chemically modified multimeric siRNAs bioavailable in the lung after local intranasal and intratracheal delivery. The optimized divalent siRNAs showed robust antiviral activity in human cells and mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection and represent a new paradigm for antiviral therapeutic development for current and future pandemics.

Keywords: SARS-COV-2; antisense oligos; lung; mouse model; small interfering RNAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung
  • Mice
  • Oligonucleotides
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Oligonucleotides

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants