The effect of targeted delivery of anti-TNF-α oligonucleotide into CD169+ macrophages on disease progression in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice

Systemic blockade of TNF-α via monoclonal antibodies and soluble receptors has shown considerable effects against several typical autoimmune disorders, but remains unconvincing for the treatment of lupus. Based on our previous study, a CD169+ macrophage-specific therapy using TNF-α antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) was tested for its efficacy in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. ASO-containing cationic agarose hydrogel were injected into mice subcutaneously. Tissue distribution and cellular localization of ASO were determined. The therapeutic effects and possible mechanism were further studied in MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. The results showed that specifically accumulation of the anti-TNF-α ASO in CD169+ macrophages could significantly reduce TNF-α expression in CD169+ macrophages and inhibit lymphocytes over-proliferation, finally resulted in the relief of the lupus-like symptoms of the animals. The nucleic acid drug based on CD169+ macrophage-specific TNF-α regulation represents a potential therapeutic approach that may be valuable for lupus therapy.