Inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by LNA-mediated nuclear interference with HBV DNA transcription

► LNA-modified oligonucleotides can pass through the plasma membrane of cultured cells even without using transfection machinery. ► LNA-modified oligonucleotides passed efficiently across the cell membrane, and lipid-coating facilitated translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. ► LNA-oligonucleotide designed to target nuclear HBV DNA efficiently suppresses HBV replication and transcription in cultured hepatic cells.