Localization of oligonucleotides in brain by in situ hybridization

Downregulation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor in tissue culture and in vivo, using beta-cyclodextrin-adamantane-oligonucleotide conjugates

Formation of complexes with beta-cyclodextrin derivatives via adamantyl groups was found to enhance the uptake and antisense efficacy of phosphorothioate oligos targeted to the p75 neurotrophin receptor in neuronally differentiated PC12 cells. After a 2-week course of systemic administration to mice (by intraperitoneal injection), there was evidence of a pronounced uptake of these oligos by the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), as well as by liver and kidney. There was no uptake by the brain. Consistent with uptake of antisense oligos by the DRG, systemic administration resulted in marked and consistent downregulation of p75 in DRG neurons. These results indicate that cyclodextrin-adamantane-oligo conjugates have great potential as agents to downregulate target genes in neurons, particularly in vivo in the peripheral nervous system.