PLoS ONE (Jan 2020)

Refining LNA safety profile by controlling phosphorothioate stereochemistry.

  • Erik Daa Funder,
  • Nanna Albæk,
  • Annie Moisan,
  • Sabine Sewing,
  • Troels Koch

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232603
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 6
p. e0232603

Abstract

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Drug discovery with phosphorothioate oligonucleotides is an area of intensive research. In this study we have controlled the stereochemistry of the phosphorothioate backbone of LNA oligonucleotides to investigate the differences in safety profile, target mRNA knock down, and cellular uptake in vitro. The study reveals that controlling only four stereocenters in an isomeric phosphorothioate mixture can improve the therapeutic index significantly by improving safety without compromising activity.