Replacement
therapy with tumor suppressive microRNA (TS-miRNA)
might be the next-generation oligonucleotide therapy; however, a novel
drug delivery system (DDS) is required. Recently, we developed the
cell-penetrating peptide, model amphipathic peptide with α-aminoisobutyric
acid (MAP(Aib)), as a carrier for oligonucleotide delivery to cells.
In this study, we examined whether a modified MAP(Aib) analogue, MAP(Aib)-cRGD,
could be a DDS for TS-miRNA replacement therapy. MIR145-5p, a representative
TS-miRNA especially in colorectal cancer, was selected. The MAP(Aib)-cRGD
dose was adjusted for MIR145-5p delivery to cells using peripheral
blood mononuclear cells and degradation analysis. AlexaFluor488-labeled
MIR145-5p incorporation into cells and negative regulation of MIR145-5p-targeting
genes demonstrated MAP(Aib)-cRGD’s functionality as a miRNA
DDS. Treating MIR145-5p with MAP(Aib)-cRGD also revealed various anticancer
effects, such as cell viability, invasion inhibition, and apoptosis
induction in WiDr cells. Altogether, these findings suggest that MAP(Aib)-cRGD
could be a DDS for TS-miRNA replacement therapy, but in vivo investigations
are required.
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