Abstract
MIS416 is a microparticulate formulation derived from
propionibacterium acnes
cell wall skeletons with intrinsic adjuvant activity. Conjugates of MIS416-SS-peptide containing a disulfide linkage facilitate the cytoplasmic delivery and release of peptides in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We hypothesized that MIS416-siRNA (small interfering RNA) conjugates, containing a disulfide linkage between MIS416 and the siRNA, would allow cytoplasmic release of siRNA in APCs. MIS416-SS-siStat3 conjugates added to cell culture medium of monolayers of DCs in culture flasks successfully targeted
Stat3
mRNA in DCs
in vitro
without transfection, downregulating
Stat3
mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that MIS416-SS-siRNA conjugates can be used as a novel siRNA delivery system for the knockdown of mRNA levels in APCs.