Résumé
The relatively poor cell uptake of oligonucleotides and subsequent transport to the cytoplasm and nucleus is the main limitation in antisense therapeutics. The use of lipid-based carrier system is one of the most promising approaches to overcome these problems. In this study, we report the use of a new lipidic formulation to deliver a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide antisense directed against the regulatory generevof the HIV-1 genome and its application to the inhibition of HIV-1 in different cell culture models. Antiviral activity of either DLS-complexed or non-complexed oligonucleotides (ODNs) was compared in acutely and chronically infected cells. We have demonstrated that substantial antisense activity could be achieved at subnanomolar concentrations with DLS-complexed ODN in both acute and chronic infection systems. DLS-association highly improved inhibitory activity of the antisense ODN in acutely infected Molt-3 cells (100-fold) and primary cells (1000-fold) and in chronically infected H9 cells (1 500 000-fold). We have shown that anti-HIV activity of phosphorothioate ODNs can be strongly enhanced by using the DLS carrier system.