# Patent

## Title
Antisense modulation of B7 protein expression

## Abstract

Compositions and methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of immune states and disorders amenable to treatment through modulation of T cell activation are provided. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding B7 proteins.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/326,186, filed Jun. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,906, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/777,266, filed Dec. 31, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,833.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to diagnostics, research reagents and therapeutics for disease states which respond to modulation of T cell activation. In particular, this invention relates to antisense oligonucleotide interactions with certain messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) or DNAs involved in the synthesis of proteins that modulate T cell activation. Antisense oligonucleotides designed to hybridize to nucleic acids encoding B7 proteins are provided. These oligonucleotides have been found to lead to the modulation of the activity of the RNA or DNA, and thus to the modulation of T cell activation. Palliative, therapeutic and prophylactic effects result.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Inflammation is a localized protective response mounted by tissues in response to injury, infection, or tissue destruction resulting in the destruction of the infectious or injurious agent and isolation of the injured tissue. A typical inflammatory response proceeds as follows: recognition of an antigen as foreign or recognition of tissue damage, synthesis and release of soluble inflammatory mediators, recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of infection or tissue damage, destruction and removal of the invading organism or damaged tissue, and deactivation of the system once the invading organism or damage has been resolved. In many human diseases with an inflammatory component, the normal, homeostatic mechanisms which attenuate the inflammatory responses are defective, resulting in damage and destruction of normal tissue.
Cell—cell interactions are involved in the activation of the immune response at each of the stages described above. One of the earliest detectable events in a normal inflammatory response is adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium, followed by migration of leukocytes out of the vasculature to the site of infection or injury. In general, the first inflammatory cells to appear at the site of inflammation are neutrophils, followed by monocytes and lymphocytes. Cell—cell interactions are also critical for activation of both B-lymphocytes (B cells) and T-lymphocytes (T cells) with resulting enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses, respectively.
The hallmark of the immune system is its ability to distinguish between self (host) and nonself (foreign invaders). This remarkable specificity exhibited by the immune system is mediated primarily by T cells. T cells participate in the host's defense against infection but also mediate organ damage of transplanted tissues and contribute to cell attack in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and some autoimmune diseases. In order to induce an antigen-specific immune response, a T cell must receive signals delivered by an antigen-presenting cell (APC). T cell-APC interactions can be divided into three stages: cellular adhesion, T cell receptor (TCR) recognition, and costimulation. At least two discrete signals are required from an APC for induction of T cell activation. The first signal is antigen-specific and is provided when the TCR interacts with an antigen in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein, or an MHC-related CD1 protein, expressed on the surface of an APC (“CD,” standing for “cluster of differentiation,” is a term used to denote different T cell surface molecules). The second (costimulatory) signal involves the interaction of the T cell surface antigen, CD28, with its ligand on the APC, which is a member of the B7 family of proteins.
CD28, a disulfide-linked homodimer of a 44 kilodalton polypeptide and a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is one of the major costimulatory signal receptors on the surface of a resting T cell for T cell activation and cytokine production (Allison, Curr. Opin. Immunol., 1994, 6, 414; Linsley and Ledbetter, Annu. Rev. Immunol., 1993, 11, 191; June et al., Immunol. Today, 1994, 15, 321). Signal transduction through CD28 acts synergistically with TCR signal transduction to augment both interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and proliferation of naive T cells. B7-1 (also known as CD80) was the first ligand identified for CD28 (Liu and Linsley, Curr. Opin. Immunol., 1992, 4, 265). B7-1 is normally expressed at low levels on APCs, however, it is upregulated following activation by cytokines or ligation of cell surface molecules such as CD40 (Lenschow et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1993, 90, 11054; Nabavi et al., Nature, 1992, 360, 266). Initial studies suggested that B7-1 was the CD28 ligand that mediated costimulation (Reiser et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1992, 89, 271; Wu et al., J. Exp. Med., 1993, 178, 1789; Harlan et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1994, 91, 3137). However, the subsequent demonstration that anti-B7-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) had minimal effects on primary mixed lymphocyte reactions and that B7-1-deficient mice responded normally to antigens (Lenschow et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1993, 90, 11054; Freeman et al., Science, 1993, 262, 909) resulted in the discovery of a second ligand for the CD28 receptor, B7-2 (also known as CD86). In contrast with anti-B7-1 mAbs, anti-B7-2 mAbs are potent inhibitors of T cell roliferation and cytokine production (Wu et al., J. Exp. Med., 1993, 178, 1789; Chen et al., J. Immunol., 1994, 152, 2105; Lenschow et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1993, 90, 11054). B7:CD28 signaling may be a necessary component of other T cell costimulatory pathways, such as CD40:CD40 L (CD40 ligand) signaling (Yang et al., Science, 1996, 273, 1862).
In addition to binding CD28, B7-1 and B7-2 bind the cytolytic T-lymphocyte associated protein CTLA4. CTLA4 is a protein that is structurally related to CD28 but is expressed on T cells only after activation (Linsley et al., J. Exp. Med., 1991, 174, 561). A soluble recombinant form of CTLA4, CTLA4-Ig, has been determined to be a more efficient inhibitor of the B7:CD28 interaction than monoclonal antibodies directed against CD28 or a B7 protein. In vivo treatment with CTLA4-Ig results in the inhibition of antibody formation to sheep red blood cells or soluble antigen (Linsley et al., Science, 1992, 257, 792), prolongation of cardiac allograft and pancreatic islet xenograft survival (Lin et al., J. Exp. Med., 1993, 178, 1801; Lenschow et al., 1992, Science, 257, 789; Lenschow et al., Curr. Opin. Immunol., 1991, 9, 243), and significant suppression of immune responses in GVHD (Hakim et al., J. Immun., 1995, 155, 1760). It has been proposed that CD28 and CTLA4, although both acting through common B7 receptors, serve opposing costimulatory and inhibitory functions, respectively (Allison et al., Science, 1995, 270, 932). CTLA4Ig, which binds both B7-1 and B7-2 molecules on antigen-presenting cells, has been shown to block T-cell costimulation in patients with stable psoriasis vulgaris, and to cause a 50% or greater sustained improvement in clinical disease activity in 46% of the patients to which it was administered. This result was dose-dependent. Abrams et al., J. Clin. Invest., 1999, 9, 1243–1225.
European Patent Application No. EP 0 600 591, published Jun. 8, 1994 (A2), discloses a method of inhibiting tumor cell growth in which tumor cells from a patient are recombinantly engineered ex vivo to express a B7-1 protein and then reintroduced into a patient. As a result, an immunologic response is stimulated against both B7-transfected and nontransfected tumor cells. International Publication No. WO 95/03408, published Feb. 2, 1995, discloses nucleic acids encoding novel CTLA4/CD28 ligands which costimulate T cell activation, including B7-2 proteins. Also disclosed are antibodies to B7-2 proteins and methods of producing B7-2 proteins. International Publication No. WO 95/05464, published Feb. 23, 1995, discloses a polypeptide, other than B7-1, that binds to CTLA4, CD28 or CTLA4-Ig. Also disclosed are methods for obtaining a nucleic acid encoding such a polypeptide.
International Publication No. WO 95/06738, published Mar. 9, 1995, discloses nucleic acids encoding B7-2 (also known as B70) proteins. Also disclosed are antibodies to B7-2 proteins and methods of producing B7-2 proteins.
European Patent Application No. EP 0 643 077, published Mar. 15, 1995 (A1), discloses a monoclonal antibody which specifically binds a B7-2 (also known as B70) protein. Also disclosed are methods of producing monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind a B7-2 protein.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,131, issued Jul. 18, 1995, discloses the CTLA4 protein as a ligand for B7 proteins. Also disclosed are methods of producing CTLA4 fusion proteins (e.g., CTLA4-Ig) and methods of regulating immune responses using antibodies to B7 proteins or CTLA4 proteins.
International Publication No. WO 95/22619, published Aug. 24, 1995, discloses antibodies specific to B7-1 proteins which do not bind to B7-2 proteins. Also disclosed are methods of regulating immune responses using antibodies to B7-1 proteins.
International Publication No. WO 95/34320, published Dec. 21, 1995, discloses methods for inhibiting T cell responses using a first agent which inhibits a costimulatory agent, such as an CTLA4-Ig fusion protein, and a second agent which inhibits cellular adhesion, such as an anti-LFA-1 antibody. Such methods are indicated to be particularly useful for inhibiting the rejection of transplanted tissues or organs.
International Publication No. WO 95/32734, published Dec. 7, 1995, discloses FcγRII bridging agents which either prevent the upregulation of B7 molecules or impair the expression of ICAM-3 on antigen presenting cells. Such FcγRII bridging agents include proteins such as aggregated human IgG molecules or aggregated Fc fragments of human IgG molecules.
International Publication No. WO 96/11279, published Apr. 18, 1996 (A2) and May 17, 1996 (A3), discloses recombinant viruses comprising genetic sequences encoding (1) one or more immunostimulatory agents, including B7-1 and B7-2, and (2) and antigens from a disease causing agent. Also disclosed are methods of treating diseases using such recombinant viruses.
To date, there are no known therapeutic agents which effectively regulate and prevent the expression of B7 proteins such as B7-1 and B7-2. Thus, there is a long-felt need for compounds and methods which effectively modulate critical costimulatory molecules such as the B7 proteins. It is anticipated that oligonucleotides capable of modulating the expression of B7 proteins provide for a novel therapeutic class of anti-inflammatory agents with activity towards a variety of inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, or disorders or diseases with an inflammatory component such as asthma, juvenile diabetes mellitus, myasthenia gravis, Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, allograft rejection, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, contact dermatitis, rhinitis and various allergies. In addition, oligonucleotides capable of modulating the expression of B7 proteins would provide a novel means of manipulating the ex vivo proliferation of T cells.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, oligonucleotides are provided which specifically hybridize with nucleic acids encoding B7-1 or B7-2. Certain oligonucleotides of the invention are designed to bind either directly to mRNA transcribed from, or to a selected DNA portion of, the B7-1 or B7-2 gene, thereby modulating the amount of protein translated from a B7-1 or B7-2 mRNA or the amount of mRNA transcribed from a B7-1 or B7-2 gene, respectively.
Oligonucleotides may comprise nucleotide sequences sufficient in identity and number to effect specific hybridization with a particular nucleic acid. Such oligonucleotides are commonly described as “antisense.”Antisense oligonucleotides are commonly used as research reagents, diagnostic aids, and therapeutic agents.
It has been discovered that the B7-1 and B7-2 genes, encoding B7-1 and B7-2 proteins, respectively, are particularly amenable to this approach. As a consequence of the association between B7 expression and T cell activation and proliferation, inhibition of the expression of B7-1 or B7-2 leads to inhibition of the synthesis of B7-1 or B7-2, respectively, and thereby inhibition of T cell activation and proliferation. Additionally, the oligonucleotides of the invention may be used to inhibit the expression of one of several alternatively spliced mRNAs of a B7 transcript, resulting in the enhanced expression of other alternatively spliced B7 mRNAs. Such modulation is desirable for treating various inflammatory or autoimmune disorders or diseases, or disorders or diseases with an inflammatory component such as asthma, juvenile diabetes mellitus, myasthenia gravis, Graves' disease, rheumatoid arthritis, allograft rejection, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, contact dermatitis, rhinitis, various allergies, and cancers and their metastases. Such modulation is further desirable for preventing or modulating the development of such diseases or disorders in an animal suspected of being, or known to be, prone to such diseases or disorders. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions which comprise an antisense oligonucleotide to a B7 protein in combination with a second anti-inflammatory agent, such as a second antisense oligonucleotide to a protein which mediates intercellular interactions, e.g., an intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) protein.
Methods comprising contacting animals with oligonucleotides specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding B7 proteins are herein provided. These methods are useful as tools, for example, in the detection and determination of the role of B7 protein expression in various cell functions and physiological processes and conditions, and for the diagnosis of conditions associated with such expression. Such methods can be used to detect the expression of B7 genes (i.e., B7-1 or B7-2) and are thus believed to be useful both therapeutically and diagnostically. Methods of modulating the expression of B7 proteins comprising contacting animals with oligonucleotides specifically hybridizable with a B7 gene are herein provided. These methods are believed to be useful both therapeutically and diagnostically as a consequence of the association between B7 expression and T cell activation and proliferation. The present invention also comprises methods of inhibiting B7-associated activation of T cells using the oligonucleotides of the invention. Methods of treating conditions in which abnormal or excessive T cell activation and proliferation occurs are also provided. These methods employ the oligonucleotides of the invention and are believed to be useful both therapeutically and as clinical research and diagnostic tools. The oligonucleotides of the present invention may also be used for research purposes. Thus, the specific hybridization exhibited by the oligonucleotides of the present invention may be used for assays, purifications, cellular product preparations and in other methodologies which may be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art.
The methods disclosed herein are also useful, for example, as clinical research tools in the detection and determination of the role of B7-1 or B7-2 expression in various immune system functions and physiological processes and conditions, and for the diagnosis of conditions associated with their expression. The specific hybridization exhibited by the oligonucleotides of the present invention may be used for assays, purifications, cellular product preparations and in other methodologies which may be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, because the oligonucleotides of this invention specifically hybridize to nucleic acids encoding B7 proteins, sandwich and other assays can easily be constructed to exploit this fact. Detection of specific hybridization of an oligonucleotide of the invention with a nucleic acid encoding a B7 protein present in a sample can routinely be accomplished. Such detection may include detectably labeling an oligonucleotide of the invention by enzyme conjugation, radiolabeling or any other suitable detection system. A number of assays may be formulated employing the present invention, which assays will commonly comprise contacting a tissue or cell sample with a detectably labeled oligonucleotide of the present invention under conditions selected to permit hybridization and measuring such hybridization by detection of the label, as is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a bar graph showing the inhibitory effect of the indicated oligonucleotides on B7-1 protein expression in COS-7 cells.
FIG. 2 is a dose-response curve showing the inhibitory effect of oligonucleotides on cell surface expression of B7-1 protein. Solid line, ISIS 13812; dashed line, ISIS 13800; dotted line, ISIS 13805.
FIG. 3 is a bar graph showing the inhibitory effect of the indicated oligonucleotides on cell surface expression of B7-2 in COS-7 cells.
FIG. 4 is a bar graph showing the inhibitory effect of the indicated oligonucleotides, including ISIS 10373 (a 20-mer) and ISIS 10996 (a 15-mer) on cell surface expression of B7-2 in COS-7 cells.
FIG. 5 is a bar graph showing the specificity of inhibition of B7-1 or B7-2 protein expression by oligonucleotides. Cross-hatched bars, B7-1 levels; striped bars, B7-2 levels.
FIG. 6 is a dose-response curve showing the inhibitory effect of oligonucleotides having antisense sequences to ICAM-1 (ISIS 2302) or B7-2 (ISIS 10373) on cell surface expression of the ICAM-1 and B7-2 proteins. Solid line with X's, levels of B7-1 protein on cells treated with ISIS 10373; dashed line with asterisks, levels of ICAM-1 protein on cells treated with ISIS 10373; solid line with triangles, levels of B7-1 protein on cells treated with ISIS 2302; solid line with squares, levels of ICAM-1 protein on cells treated with ISIS 10373.
FIG. 7 is a bar graph showing the effect of the indicated oligonucleotides on T cell proliferation.
FIG. 8 is a dose-response curve showing the inhibitory effect of oligonucleotides on murine B7-2 protein expression in COS-7 cells. Solid line with asterisks, ISIS 11696; dashed line with triangles, ISIS 11866.
FIG. 9 is a bar graph showing the effect of oligonucleotides ISIS 11696 and ISIS 11866 on cell surface expression of murine B7-2 protein in IC-21 cells. Left (black) bars, no oligonucleotide; middle bars, 3 μM indicated oligonucleotide; right bars, 10 μM indicated oligonucleotide.
FIG. 10 is a graph showing the effect of ISIS 17456 on severity of EAE at various doses.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention employs oligonucleotides for use in antisense inhibition of the function of RNA and DNA encoding B7 proteins including B7-1 and B7-2. The present invention also employs oligonucleotides which are designed to be specifically hybridizable to DNA or messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding such proteins and ultimately to modulate the amount of such proteins transcribed from their respective genes. Such hybridization with mRNA interferes with the normal role of mRNA and causes a modulation of its function in cells. The functions of mRNA to be interfered with include all vital functions such as translocation of the RNA to the site for protein translation, actual translation of protein from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more mRNA species, and possibly even independent catalytic activity which may be engaged in by the RNA. The overall effect of such interference with mRNA function is modulation of the expression of a B7 protein, wherein “modulation” means either an increase (stimulation) or a decrease (inhibition) in the expression of a B7 protein. In the context of the present invention, inhibition is the preferred form of modulation of gene expression.
Oligonucleotides may comprise nucleotide sequences sufficient in identity and number to effect specific hybridization with a particular nucleic acid. Such oligonucleotides which specifically hybridize to a portion of the sense strand of a gene are commonly described as “antisense.” Antisense oligonucleotides are commonly used as research reagents, diagnostic aids, and therapeutic agents. For example, antisense oligonucleotides, which are able to inhibit gene expression with exquisite specificity, are often used by those of ordinary skill to elucidate the function of particular genes, for example to distinguish between the functions of various members of a biological pathway. This specific inhibitory effect has, therefore, been harnessed by those skilled in the art for research uses.
The specificity and sensitivity of oligonucleotides is also harnessed by those of skill in the art for therapeutic uses. For example, the following U.S. patents demonstrate palliative, therapeutic and other methods utilizing antisense oligonucleotides. U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,917 provides antisense oligonucleotides that inhibit human interleukin-1 receptor expression. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,890 is directed to antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the c-myb oncogene and antisense oligonucleotide therapies for certain cancerous conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,617 provides methods for treating cancer patients with antisense oligonucleotides. U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,195 provides oligonucleotide inhibitors of HIV. U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,810 provides oligomers capable of hybridizing to herpes simplex virus Vmw65 mRNA and inhibiting replication. U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,428 provides antisense oligonucleotides having antiviral activity against influenza virus. U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,463 provides antisense oligonucleotides and methods using them to inhibit HTLV-III replication. U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,717 provides oligonucleotides having a complementary base sequence to a portion of an oncogene. U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,019 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,423 are directed to phosphorothioate oligonucleotide analogs used to prevent replication of foreign nucleic acids in cells. U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,320 is directed to antisense oligonucleotides as antiviral agents specific to CMV. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,890 provides oligonucleotides complementary to at least a portion of the mRNA transcript of the human c-myb gene. U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,906 provides antisense oligonucleotides useful in the treatment of latent EBV infections.
It is preferred to target specific genes for antisense attack. “Targeting” an oligonucleotide to the associated nucleic acid, in the context of this invention, is a multistep process. The process usually begins with the identification of a nucleic acid sequence whose function is to be modulated. This may be, for example, a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a foreign nucleic acid from an infectious agent. In the present invention, the target is a cellular gene associated with several immune system disorders and diseases (such as inflammation and autoimmune diseases), as well as with ostensibly “normal” immune reactions (such as a host animal's rejection of transplanted tissue), for which modulation is desired in certain instances. The targeting process also includes determination of a region (or regions) within this gene for the oligonucleotide interaction to occur such that the desired effect, either detection or modulation of expression of the protein, will result. Once the target region have been identified, oligonucleotides are chosen which are sufficiently complementary to the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient specificity to give the desired effect.
Generally, there are five regions of a gene that may be targeted for antisense modulation: the 5′ untranslated region (hereinafter, the “5′-UTR”), the translation initiation codon region (hereinafter, the “tIR”), the open reading frame (hereinafter, the “ORF”), the translation termination codon region (hereinafter, the “tTR”) and the 3′ untranslated region (hereinafter, the “3′-UTR”). As is known in the art, these regions are arranged in a typical messenger RNA molecule in the following order (left to right, 5′ to 3′): 5′-UTR, tIR, ORF, tTR, 3′-UTR. As is known in the art, although some eukaryotic transcripts are directly translated, many ORFs contain one or more sequences, known as “introns,” which are excised from a transcript before it is translated; the expressed (unexcised) portions of the ORF are referred to as “exons” (Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 1983, Garland Publishing Inc., New York, pp. 411–415). Furthermore, because many eukaryotic ORFs are a thousand nucleotides or more in length, it is often convenient to subdivide the ORF into, e.g., the 5′ ORF region, the central ORF region, and the 3′ ORF region. In some instances, an ORF contains one or more sites that may be targeted due to some functional significance in vivo. Examples of the latter types of sites include intragenic stem-loop structures (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,438) and, in unprocessed mRNA molecules, intron/exon splice sites. Within the context of the present invention, one preferred intragenic site is the region encompassing the translation initiation codon of the open reading frame (ORF) of the gene. Because, as is known in the art, the translation initiation codon is typically 5′-AUG (in transcribed mRNA molecules; 5′-ATG in the corresponding DNA molecule), the translation initiation codon is also referred to as the “AUG codon,” the “start codon” or the “AUG start codon.” A minority of genes have a translation initiation codon having the RNA sequence 5′-GUG, 5′-UUG or 5′-CUG, and 5′-AUA, 5′-ACG and 5′-CUG have been shown to function in vivo. Furthermore, 5′-UUU functions as a translation initiation codon in vitro (Brigstock et al., Growth Factors, 1990, 4, 45; Gelbert et al., Somat. Cell. Mol. Genet., 1990, 16, 173; Gold and Stormo, in: Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Vol. 2, 1987, Neidhardt et al., eds., American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., p. 1303). Thus, the terms “translation initiation codon” and “start codon” can encompass many codon sequences, even though the initiator amino acid in each instance is typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or formylmethionine (prokaryotes). It is also known in the art that eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes may have two or more alternative start codons, any one of which may be preferentially utilized for translation initiation in a particular cell type or tissue, or under a particular set of conditions, in order to generate related polypeptides having different amino terminal sequences (Markussen et al., Development, 1.995, 121, 3723; Gao et al., Cancer Res., 1995, 55, 743; McDermott et al., Gene, 1992, 117, 193; Perri et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1991, 266, 12536; French et al., J. Virol., 1989, 63, 3270; Pushpa-Rekha et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1995, 270, 26993; Monaco et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1994, 269, 347; DeVirgilio et al., Yeast, 1992, 8, 1043; Kanagasundaram et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1992, 1171, 198; Olsen et al., Mol. Endocrinol., 1991, 5, 1246; Saul et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 1990, 56, 3117; Yaoita et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1990, 87, 7090; Rogers et al., EMBO J., 1990, 9, 2273). In the context of the invention, “start codon” and “translation initiation codon” refer to the codon or codons that are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA molecule transcribed from a gene encoding a B7 protein, regardless of the sequence(s) of such codons. It is also known in the art that a translation termination codon (or “stop codon”) of a gene may have one of three sequences, i.e., 5′-UAA, 5′-UAG and 5′-UGA (the corresponding DNA sequences are 5′-TAA, 5′-TAG and 5′-TGA, respectively). The terms “start codon region” and “translation initiation region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation initiation codon. Similarly, the terms “stop codon region” and “translation termination region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation termination codon.
In the context of this invention, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid or deoxyribonucleic acid. This term includes oligonucleotides composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent intersugar (backbone) linkages as well as oligonucleotides having non-naturally-occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced binding to target and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.
Specific examples of some preferred modified oligonucleotides envisioned for this invention include those containing phosphorothioates, phosphotriesters, methyl phosphonates, short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl intersugar linkages or short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic intersugar linkages. Most preferred are oligonucleotides with phosphorothioates and those with CH2—NH—O—CH2, CH2—N(CH3)—O—CH2 [known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone], CH2—O—N(CH3)—CH2, CH2—N(CH3)—N(CH3)—CH2 and O—N(CH3)—CH2—CH2 backbones, wherein the native phosphodiester backbone is represented as O—P—O—CH2). Also preferred are oligonucleotides having morpholino backbone structures (Summerton and Weller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506). Further preferred are oligonucleotides with NR—C(*)—CH2—CH2, CH2—NR—C(*)—CH2, CH2—CH2—NR—C(*), C(*)—NR—CH2—CH2 and CH2—C(*)—NR—CH2 backbones, wherein “*” represents O or S (known as amide backbones; DeMesmaeker et al., WO 92/20823, published Nov. 26, 1992). In other preferred embodiments, such as the peptide nucleic acid (PNA) backbone, the phosphodiester backbone of the oligonucleotide is replaced with a polyamide backbone, the nucleobases being bound directly or indirectly to the aza nitrogen atoms of the polyamide backbone (Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497; U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,082). Other preferred modified oligonucleotides may contain one or more substituted sugar moieties comprising one of the following at the 2′ position: OH, SH, SCH3, F, OCN, OCH3OCH3, OCH3O(CH2)nCH3, O(CH2)nNH2 or O(CH2)nCH3 where n is from 1 to about 10; C1 to C10 lower alkyl, alkoxyalkoxy, substituted lower alkyl, alkaryl or aralkyl; Cl; Br; CN; CF3; OCF3; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or N-alkenyl; SOCH3; SO2CH3; ONO2; NO2; N3; NH2; heterocycloalkyl; heterocycloalkaryl; aminoalkylamino; polyalkylamino; substituted silyl; an RNA cleaving group; a reporter group; an intercalator; a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide; or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide and other substituents having similar properties. A preferred modification includes 2′-methoxyethoxy (2—O—CH2CH2OCH3, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486–504) i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further preferred modification includes 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e., a O(CH2)2ON(CH3)2 group, also known as 2′-DMAOE, as described in examples hereinbelow, and 2′-dimethylamino-ethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethyl-amino-ethoxy-ethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e., 2′-O—CH2—O—CH2—N(CH2)2, also described in examples hereinbelow. (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486). Other preferred modifications include 2′-methoxy (2′-O—CH3), 2′-propoxy (2′-OCH2CH2CH3) and 2′-fluoro (2′-F). Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligonucleotide, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide and the 5′ position of the 5′ terminal nucleotide. Oligonucleotides may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyls in place of the pentofuranosyl group.
The oligonucleotides of the invention may additionally or alternatively include nucleobase modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases include adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleobases include nucleobases found only infrequently or transiently in natural nucleic acids, e.g., hypoxanthine, 6-methyladenine, 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (HMC), glycosyl HMC and gentiobiosyl HMC, as well synthetic nucleobases, e.g., 5-bromouracil, 5-hydroxymethyluracil, 8-azaguanine, 7-deazaguanine, N6(6-aminohexyl)adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine (Kornberg, A., DNA Replication, 1974, W.H. Freeman & Co., San Francisco, 1974, pp. 75–77; Gebeyehu, G., et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1987, 15, 4513).
Another preferred additional or alternative modification of the oligonucleotides of the invention involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide one or more lipophilic moieties which enhance the cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such lipophilic moieties may be linked to an oligonucleotide at several different positions on the oligonucleotide. Some preferred positions include the 31 position of the sugar of the 3′ terminal nucleotide, the 5′ position of the sugar of the 5′ terminal nucleotide, and the 2′ position of the sugar of any nucleotide. The N6 position of a purine nucleobase may also be utilized to link a lipophilic moiety to an oligonucleotide of the invention (Gebeyehu, G., et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1987, 15, 4513). Such lipophilic moieties include but are not limited to a cholesteryl moiety (Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86, 6553), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1994, 4, 1053), a thioether, e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol (Manoharan et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660, 306; Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1993, 3, 2765), a thiocholesterol (Oberhauser et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20, 533), an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J., 1991, 10, 111; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259, 327; Svinarchuk et al., Biochimie, 1993, 75, 49), a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1990, 18, 3777), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain (Manoharan et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14, 969), or adamantane acetic acid (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651), a palmityl moiety (Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1995, 1264, 229), or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety (Crooke et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1996, 277, 923). Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and methods for preparing such oligonucleotides, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,138,045, 5,218,105 and 5,459,255, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention also includes oligonucleotides which are chimeric oligonucleotides. “Chimeric” oligonucleotides or “chimeras,” in the context of this invention, are oligonucleotides which contain two or more chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one nucleotide. These oligonucleotides typically contain at least one region wherein the oligonucleotide is modified so as to confer upon the oligonucleotide increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. An additional region of the oligonucleotide may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of antisense inhibition of gene expression. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art. By way of example, such “chimeras” may be “gapmers,” i.e., oligonucleotides in which a central portion (the “gap”) of the oligonucleotide serves as a substrate for, e.g., RNase H, and the 5′ and 3′ portions (the “wings”) are modified in such a fashion so as to have greater affinity for the target RNA molecule but are unable to support nuclease activity (e.g., 2′-fluoro- or 2′-methoxyethoxy substituted). Other chimeras include “wingmers,” that is, oligonucleotides in which the 5′ portion of the oligonucleotide serves as a substrate for, e.g., RNase H, whereas the 3′ portion is modified in such a fashion so as to have greater affinity for the target RNA molecule but is unable to support nuclease activity (e.g., 2′-fluoro- or 2′-methoxyethoxy substituted), or vice-versa.
The oligonucleotides in accordance with this invention preferably comprise from about 8 to about 30 nucleotides. It is more preferred that such oligonucleotides comprise from about 15 to 25 nucleotides. As is known in the art, a nucleotide is a base-sugar combination suitably bound to an adjacent nucleotide through a phosphodiester, phosphorothioate or other covalent linkage.
The oligonucleotides used in accordance with this invention may be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art may additionally or alternatively be employed. It is also known to use similar techniques to prepare other oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives.
The oligonucleotides of the present invention can be utilized as therapeutic compounds, diagnostic tools and as research reagents and kits. The term “therapeutic uses” is intended to encompass prophylactic, palliative and curative uses wherein the oligonucleotides of the invention are contacted with animal cells either in vivo or ex vivo. When contacted with animal cells ex vivo, a therapeutic use includes incorporating such cells into an animal after treatment with one or more oligonucleotides of the invention. While not intending to be bound to a particular utility, the ex vivo modulation of, e.g., T cell proliferation by the oligonucleotides of the invention can be employed in, for example, potential therapeutic modalities wherein it is desired to modulate the expression of a B7 protein in APCs. As an example, oligonucleotides that inhibit the expression of B7-1 proteins are expected to enhance the availability of B7-2 proteins on the surface of APCS, thus increasing the costimulatory effect of B7-2 on T cells ex vivo (Levine et al., Science, 1996, 272, 1939).
For therapeutic uses, an animal suspected of having a disease or disorder which can be treated or prevented by modulating the expression or activity of a B7 protein is, for example, treated by administering oligonucleotides in accordance with this invention. The oligonucleotides of the invention can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of an oligonucleotide to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. Workers in the field have identified antisense, triplex and other oligonucleotide compositions which are capable of modulating expression of genes implicated in viral, fungal and metabolic diseases. Antisense oligonucleotides have been safely administered to humans and several clinical trials are presently underway. It is thus established that oligonucleotides can be useful therapeutic instrumentalities that can be configured to be useful in treatment regimes for treatment of cells, tissues and animals, especially humans.
The oligonucleotides of the present invention can be further used to detect the presence of B7-specific nucleic acids in a cell or tissue sample. For example, radiolabeled oligonucleotides can be prepared by 32P labeling at the 5′ end with polynucleotide kinase (Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, Volume 2, pg. 10.59). Radiolabeled oligonucleotides are then contacted with cell or tissue samples suspected of containing B7 message RNAs (and thus B7 proteins), and the samples are washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide. Radioactivity remaining in the sample indicates the presence of bound oligonucleotide, which in turn indicates the presence of nucleic acids complementary to the oligonucleotide, and can be quantitated using a scintillation counter or other routine means. Expression of nucleic acids encoding these proteins is thus detected.
Radiolabeled oligonucleotides of the present invention can also be used to perform autoradiography of tissues to determine the localization, distribution and quantitation of B7 proteins for research, diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. In such studies, tissue sections are treated with radiolabeled oligonucleotide and washed as described above, then exposed to photographic emulsion according to routine autoradiography procedures. The emulsion, when developed, yields an image of silver grains over the regions expressing a B7 gene. Quantitation of the silver grains permits detection of the expression of mRNA molecules encoding these proteins and permits targeting of oligonucleotides to these areas.
Analogous assays for fluorescent detection of expression of B7 nucleic acids can be developed using oligonucleotides of the present invention which are conjugated with fluorescein or other fluorescent tags instead of radiolabeling. Such conjugations are routinely accomplished during solid phase synthesis using fluorescently-labeled amidites or controlled pore glass (CPG) columns. Fluorescein-labeled amidites and CPG are available from, e.g., Glen Research, Sterling Va.
The present invention employs oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acids encoding B7 proteins and oligonucleotides targeted to nucleic acids encoding such proteins. Kits for detecting the presence or absence of expression of a B7 protein may also be prepared. Such kits include an oligonucleotide targeted to an appropriate gene, i.e., a gene encoding a B7 protein. Appropriate kit and assay formats, such as, e.g., “sandwich” assays, are known in the art and can easily be adapted for use with the oligonucleotides of the invention. Hybridization of the oligonucleotides of the invention with a nucleic acid encoding a B7 protein can be detected by means known in the art. Such means may include conjugation of an enzyme to the oligonucleotide, radiolabelling of the oligonucleotide or any other suitable detection systems. Kits for detecting the presence or absence of a B7 protein may also be prepared.
In the context of this invention, “hybridization” means hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleotides. For example, adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases which pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds. “Complementary,” as used herein, refers to the capacity for precise pairing between two nucleotides. For example, if a nucleotide at a certain position of an oligonucleotide is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleotide at the same position of a DNA or RNA molecule, then the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are considered to be complementary to each other at that position. The oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of corresponding positions in each molecule are occupied by nucleotides which can hydrogen bond with each other. Thus, “specifically hybridizable” and “complementary” are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of complementarity or precise pairing such that stable and specific binding occurs between the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA target. It is understood in the art that an oligonucleotide need not be 100% complementary to its target DNA sequence to be specifically hybridizable. An oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizable when binding of the oligonucleotide to the target DNA or RNA molecule interferes with the normal function of the target DNA or RNA to cause a decrease or loss of function, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the oligonucleotide to non-target sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, or in the case of in vitro assays, under conditions in which the assays are performed.
The formulation of therapeutic compositions and their subsequent administration is believed to be within the skill of those in the art. In general, for therapeutics, a patient in need of such therapy is administered an oligonucleotide in accordance with the invention, commonly in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in doses ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the disorder or disease state being treated. Further, the treatment regimen may last for a period of time which will vary depending upon the nature of the particular disease or disorder, its severity and the overall condition of the patient, and may extend from once daily to once every 20 years. Following treatment, the patient is monitored for changes in his/her condition and for alleviation of the symptoms of the disorder or disease state. The dosage of the oligonucleotide may either be increased in the event the patient does not respond significantly to current dosage levels, or the dose may be decreased if an alleviation of the symptoms of the disorder or disease state is observed, or if the disorder or disease state has been ablated.
In some cases, it may be more effective to treat a patient with an oligonucleotide of the invention in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities in order to increase the efficacy of a treatment regimen. In the context of the invention, the term “treatment regimen” is meant to encompass therapeutic, palliative and prophylactic modalities. In a preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotides of the invention are used in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive agent, preferably one or more antisense oligonucleotides targeted to an intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), preferably to ICAM-1. Other anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive agents that may be used in combination with the oligonucleotides of the invention include, but are not limited to, soluble ICAM proteins (e.g., sICAM-1), antibody-toxin conjugates, prednisone, methylprednisolone, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, interferons, sympathomimetics, conventional antihistamines (histamine H1 receptor antagonists, including, for example, brompheniramine maleate, chlorpheniramine maleate, dexchlorpheniramine maleate, tripolidine HCl, carbinoxamine maleate, clemastine fumarate, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine HCl, diphenylpyraline HCl, doxylamine succinate, tripelennamine citrate, tripelennamine HCl, cyclizine HCl, hydroxyzine HCl, meclizine HCl, methdilazine HCl, promethazine HCl, trimeprazine tartrate, azatadine maleate, cyproheptadine HCl, terfenadine, etc.), histamine H2 receptor antagonists (e.g., ranitidine). See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed., Berkow et al., eds., 1987, Rahway, N.J., pages 302–336 and 2516–2522). When used with the compounds of the invention, such agents may be used individually, sequentially, or in combination with one or more other such agents.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to one B7 mRNA species (e.g., B7-1) is used in combination with an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to a second B7 mRNA species (e.g., B7-2) in order to inhibit the costimulatory effect of B7 molecules to a more extensive degree than can be achieved with either oligonucleotide used individually. In a related version of this embodiment, two or more oligonucleotides of the invention, each targeted to an alternatively spliced B7-1 or B7-2 mRNA, are combined with each other in order to inhibit expression of both forms of the alternatively spliced mRNAs. It is known in the art that, depending on the specificity of the modulating agent employed, inhibition of one form of an alternatively spliced mRNA may not result in a sufficient reduction of expression for a given condition to be manifest. Thus, such combinations may, in some instances, be desired to inhibit the expression of a particular B7 gene to an extent necessary to practice one of the methods of the invention.
Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily, to once every 20 years. In the case of in individual known or suspected of being prone to an autoimmune or inflammatory condition, prophylactic effects may be achieved by administration of preventative doses, ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily, to once every 20 years. In like fashion, an individual may be made less susceptible to an inflammatory condition that is expected to occur as a result of some medical treatment, e.g., graft versus host disease resulting from the transplantation of cells, tissue or an organ into the individual.
The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic and to mucous membranes including vaginal and rectal delivery), pulmonary, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation of powders or aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal, intranasal, epidermal and transdermal, oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion; or intracranial, e.g., intrathecal or intraventricular, administration. Oligonucleotides with at least one 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification are believed to be particularly useful for oral administration.
Formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful.
Compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets or tablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable.
Compositions for parenteral, intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives.
Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages may vary depending on the relative potency of individual oligonucleotides, and can generally be estimated based on EC50s found to be effective in in vitro and in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even once every 2 to 20 years.
The following examples illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the same. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain through routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific substances and procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Synthesis of Nucleic Acids Oligonucleotides
Oligonucleotides were synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer using standard phosphoramidite chemistry with oxidation using iodine. β-Cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites were purchased from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). For phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, the standard oxidation bottle was replaced by a 0.2 M solution of 3H-1,2-benzodithiole-3-one-1,1-dioxide in acetonitrile for the stepwise thiation of the phosphite linkages. The thiation cycle wait step was increased to 68 seconds and was followed by the capping step.
The 2′-fluoro phosphorothioate oligonucleotides of the invention were synthesized using 5′-dimethoxytrityl-3′-phosphoramidites and prepared as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 463,358, filed Jan. 11, 1990, now abandoned, and Ser. No. 566,977, filed Aug. 13, 1990, now abandoned, which are assigned to the same assignee as the instant application and which are incorporated by reference herein. The 2′-fluoro oligonucleotides were prepared using phosphoramidite chemistry and a slight modification of the standard DNA synthesis protocol: deprotection was effected using methanolic ammonia at room temperature.
The 2′-methoxy (2′-O-methyl) oligonucleotides of the invention were synthesized using 2′-methoxy β-cyanoethyldiisopropyl-phosphoramidites (Chemgenes, Needham Mass.) and the standard cycle for unmodified oligonucleotides, except the wait step after pulse delivery of tetrazole and base is increased to 360 seconds. Other 2′-alkoxy oligonucleotides are synthesized by a modification of this method, using appropriate 2′-modified amidites such as those available from Glen Research, Inc., Sterling, Va. The 3′-base used to start the synthesis was a 2′-deoxyribonucleotide. The 2′-O-propyl oligonucleotides of the invention are prepared by a slight modification of this procedure.
The 2′ methoxyethoxy (2′-O—CH2CH2OCH3) oligonucleotides of the invention were synthesized according to the method of Martin, Helv. Chim. Acta 1995, 78, 486. For ease of synthesis, the last nucleotide was a deoxynucleotide. All 2′-O—CH2CH2OCH3- cytosines were 5-methyl cytosines, which were synthesized according to the following procedures.
Synthesis of 5-Methyl cytosine monomers:
2,2′-Anhydro [1-(β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-methyluridine]
5-Methyluridine (ribosylthymine, commercially available through Yamasa, Choshi, Japan) (72.0 g, 0.279 M), diphenylcarbonate (90.0 g, 0.420 M) and sodium bicarbonate (2.0 g, 0.024 M) were added to DMF (300 mL). The mixture was heated to reflux, with stirring, allowing the evolved carbon dioxide gas to be released in a controlled manner. After 1 hour, the slightly darkened solution was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting syrup was poured into diethylether (2.5 L), with stirring. The product formed a gum. The ether was decanted and the residue was dissolved in a minimum amount of methanol (ca. 400 mL). The solution was poured into fresh ether (2.5 L) to yield a stiff gum. The ether was decanted and the gum was dried in a vacuum oven (60° C. at 1 mm Hg for 24 h) to give a solid which was crushed to a light tan powder (57 g, 85% crude yield). The material was used as is for further reactions.
2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine
2,2′-Anhydro-5-methyluridine (195 g, 0.81 M), tris(2-methoxyethyl)borate (231 g, 0.98 M) and 2-methoxyethanol (1.2 L) were added to a 2 L stainless steel pressure vessel and placed in a pre-heated oil bath at 160° C. After heating for 48 hours at 155–160° C., the vessel was opened and the solution evaporated to dryness and triturated with MeOH (200 mL). The residue was suspended in hot acetone (1 L). The insoluble salts were filtered, washed with acetone (150 mL) and the filtrate evaporated. The residue (280 g) was dissolved in CH3CN (600 mL) and evaporated. A silica gel column (3 kg) was packed in CH2Cl2/acetone/MeOH (20:5:3) containing 0.5% Et3NH. The residue was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (250 mL) and adsorbed onto silica (150 g) prior to loading onto the column. The product was eluted with the packing solvent to give 160 g (63%) of product.
2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine
2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5-methyluridine (160 g, 0.506 M) was co-evaporated with pyridine (250 mL) and the dried residue dissolved in pyridine (1.3 L). A first aliquot of dimethoxytrityl chloride (94.3 g, 0.278 M) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for one hour. A second aliquot of dimethoxytrityl chloride (94.3 g, 0.278 M) was added and the reaction stirred for an additional one hour. Methanol (170 mL) was then added to stop the reaction. HPLC showed the presence of approximately 70% product. The solvent was evaporated and triturated with CH3CN (200 mL). The residue was dissolved in CHCl3 (1.5 L) and extracted with 2×500 mL of saturated NaHCO3 and 2×500 mL of saturated NaCl. The organic phase was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated. 275 g of residue was obtained. The residue was purified on a 3.5 kg silica gel column, packed and eluted with EtOAc/Hexane/Acetone (5:5:1) containing 0.5% Et3NH. The pure fractions were evaporated to give 164 g of product. Approximately 20 g additional was obtained from the impure fractions to give a total yield of 183 g (57%).
3′-O-Acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine
2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine (106 g, 0.167 M), DMF/pyridine (750 mL of a 3:1 mixture prepared from 562 mL of DMF and 188 mL of pyridine) and acetic anhydride (24.38 mL, 0.258 M) were combined and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction was monitored by tlc by first quenching the tlc sample with the addition of MeOH. Upon completion of the reaction, as judged by tic, MeOH (50 mL) was added and the mixture evaporated at 35° C. The residue was dissolved in CHCl3 (800 mL) and extracted with 2×200 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate and 2×200 mL of saturated NaCl. The water layers were back extracted with 200 mL of CHCl3. The combined organics were dried with sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 122 g of residue (approx. 90% product). The residue was purified on a 3.5 kg silica gel column and eluted using EtOAc/Hexane(4:1). Pure product fractions were evaporated to yield 96 g (84%).
3′-O-Acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl-4-triazoleuridine
A first solution was prepared by dissolving 3′-O-acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine (96 g, 0.144 M) in CH3CN (700 mL) and set aside. Triethylamine (189 mL, 1.44 M) was added to a solution of triazole (90 g, 1.3 M) in CH3CN (1 L), cooled to −5° C. and stirred for 0.5 h using an overhead stirrer. POCl3 was added dropwise, over a 30 minute period, to the stirred solution maintained at 0–10° C., and the resulting mixture stirred for an additional 2 hours. The first solution was added to the later solution dropwise, over a 45 minute period. The resulting reaction mixture was stored overnight in a cold room. Salts were filtered from the reaction mixture and the solution was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (1 L) and the insoluble solids were removed by filtration. The filtrate was washed with 1×300 mL of NaHCO3 and 2×300 mL of saturated NaCl, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was triturated with EtOAc to give the title compound.
2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine
A solution of 3′-O-acetyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl-4-triazoleuridine (103 g, 0.141 M) in dioxane (500 mL) and NH4OH (30 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The dioxane solution was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with MeOH (2×200 mL). The residue was dissolved in MeOH (300 mL) and transferred to a 2 liter stainless steel pressure vessel. MeOH (400 mL) saturated with NH3 gas was added and the vessel heated to 100° C. for 2 hours (tic showed complete conversion). The vessel contents were evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in EtOAc (500 mL) and washed once with saturated NaCl (200 mL). The organics were dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated to give 85 g (95%) of the title compound.
N4-Benzoyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine
2′-O-Methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine (85 g, 0.134 M) was dissolved in DMF (800 mL) and benzoic anhydride (37.2 g, 0.165 M) was added with stirring. After stirring for 3 hours, tlc showed the reaction to be approximately 95% complete. The solvent was evaporated and the residue azeotroped with MeOH (200 mL). The residue was dissolved in CHCl3 (700 mL) and extracted with saturated NaHCO3 (2×300 mL) and saturated NaCl (2×300 mL), dried over MgSO4 and evaporated to give a residue (96 g). The residue was chromatographed on a 1.5 kg silica column using EtOAc/Hexane (1:1) containing 0.5% Et3NH as the eluting solvent. The pure product fractions were evaporated to give 90 g (90%) of the title compound.
N4-Benzoyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine-3′-amidite
N4-Benzoyl-2′-O-methoxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methylcytidine (74 g, 0.10 M) was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (1 L). Tetrazole diisopropylamine (7.1 g) and 2-cyanoethoxy-tetra(isopropyl)phosphite (40.5 mL, 0.123 M) were added with stirring, under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred for 20 hours at room temperature (tlc showed the reaction to be 95% complete). The reaction mixture was extracted with saturated NaHCO3 (1×300 mL) and saturated NaCl (3×300 mL). The aqueous washes were back-extracted with CH2Cl2 (300 mL), and the extracts were combined, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated. The residue obtained was chromatographed on a 1.5 kg silica column using EtOAc\Hexane (3:1) as the eluting solvent. The pure fractions were combined to give 90.6 g (87%) of the title compound.
2′-O-(Aminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites and 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites
2′-(Dimethylaminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites
2′-(Dimethylaminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites [also known in the art as 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites] are prepared as described in the following paragraphs. Adenosine, cytidine and guanosine nucleoside amidites are prepared similarly to the thymidine (5-methyluridine) except the exocyclic amines are protected with a benzoyl moiety in the case of adenosine and cytidine and with isobutyryl in the case of guanosine.
5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O2-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine
O2-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (Pro. Bio. Sint., Varese, Italy, 100.0 g, 0.416 mmol), dimethylaminopyridine (0.66 g, 0.013 eq, 0.0054 mmol) were dissolved in dry pyridine (500 ml) at ambient temperature under an argon atmosphere and with mechanical stirring. tert-Butyldiphenylchlorosilane (125.8 g, 119.0 mL, 1.1 eq, 0.458 mmol) was added in one portion. The reaction was stirred for 16 h at ambient temperature. TLC (Rf 0.22, ethyl acetate) indicated a complete reaction. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. This was partitioned between dichloromethane (1 L) and saturated sodium bicarbonate (2×1 L) and brine (1 L). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. The oil was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and ethyl ether (600 mL) and the solution was cooled to −10° C. The resulting crystalline product was collected by filtration, washed with ethyl ether (3×200 mL) and dried (40° C., 1 mm Hg, 24 h) to 149 g (74.8%) of white solid. TLC and NMR were consistent with pure product.
5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine
In a 2 L stainless steel, unstirred pressure reactor was added borane in tetrahydrofuran (1.0 M, 2.0 eq, 622 mL). In the fume hood and with manual stirring, ethylene glycol (350 mL, excess) was added cautiously at first until the evolution of hydrogen gas subsided.
5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O2-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (149 g, 0.311 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (0.074 g, 0.003 eq) were added with manual stirring. The reactor was sealed and heated in an oil bath until an internal temperature of 160° C. was reached and then maintained for 16 h (pressure<100 psig). The reaction vessel was cooled to ambient and opened. TLC (Rf 0.67 for desired product and Rf 0.82 for ara-T side product, ethyl acetate) indicated about 70% conversion to the product. In order to avoid additional side product formation, the reaction was stopped, concentrated under reduced pressure (10 to 1 mm Hg) in a warm water bath (40–100° C.) with the more extreme conditions used to remove the ethylene glycol. [Alternatively, once the low boiling solvent is gone, the remaining solution can be partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The product will be in the organic phase.] The residue was purified by column chromatography (2 kg silica gel, ethyl acetate-hexanes gradient 1:1 to 4:1). The appropriate fractions were combined, stripped and dried to product as a white crisp foam (84 g, 50%), contaminated starting material (17.4 g) and pure reusable starting material 20 g. The yield based on starting material less pure recovered starting material was 58%. TLC and NMR were consistent with 99% pure product.
2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy) ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine
5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (20 g, 36.98 mmol) was mixed with triphenylphosphine (11.63 g, 44.36 mmol) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (7.24 g, 44.36 mmol). It was then dried over P2O5 under high vacuum for two days at 40° C. The reaction mixture was flushed with argon and dry THF (369.8 mL, Aldrich, sure seal bottle) was added to get a clear solution. Diethyl-azodicarboxylate (6.98 mL, 44.36 mmol) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The rate of addition is maintained such that resulting deep red coloration is just discharged before adding the next drop. After the addition was complete, the reaction was stirred for 4 hrs. By that time TLC showed the completion of the reaction (ethylacetate:hexane, 60:40). The solvent was evaporated in vacuum. Residue obtained was placed on a flash column and eluted with ethyl acetate:hexane (60:40), to get 2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy) ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine as white foam (21.819 g, 86%).
5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl]-5-methyluridine
2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine (3.1 g, 4.5 mmol) was dissolved in dry CH2Cl2 (4.5 mL) and methylhydrazine (300 mL, 4.64 mmol) was added dropwise at −10° C. to 0° C. After 1 h the mixture was filtered, the filtrate was washed with ice cold CH2Cl2 and the combined organic phase was washed with water, brine and dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. The solution was concentrated to get 2′-O-(aminooxyethyl) thymidine, which was then dissolved in MeOH (67.5 mL). To this formaldehyde (20% aqueous solution, w/w, 1.1 eq.) was added and the resulting mixture was strirred for 1 h. Solvent was removed under vacuum; residue chromatographed to get 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[(2-formadoximinooxy) ethyl]-5-methyluridine as white foam (1.95 g, 78%).
5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine
5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl]-5-methyluridine (1.77 g, 3.12 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 1M pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (PPTS) in dry MeOH (30.6 mL). Sodium cyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added to this solution at 10° C. under inert atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at 10° C. After that the reaction vessel was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 h, the reaction monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH2Cl2). Aqueous NaHCO3 solution (5%, 10 mL) was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20 mL). Ethyl acetate phase was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4, evaporated to dryness. Residue was dissolved in a solution of 1M PPTS in MeOH (30.6 mL). Formaldehyde (20% w/w, 30 mL, 3.37 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Reaction mixture cooled to 10° C. in an ice bath, sodium cyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added and reaction mixture stirred at 10° C. for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the reaction mixture was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. To the reaction mixture 5% NaHCO3 (25 mL) solution was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×25 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 and evaporated to dryness. The residue obtained was purified by flash column chromatography and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH2Cl2 to get 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine as a white foam (14.6 g, 80%).
2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine
Triethylamine trihydrofluoride (3.91 mL, 24.0 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF and triethylamine (1.67 mL, 12 mmol, dry, kept over KOH). This mixture of triethylamine-2HF was then added to 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine (1.40 g, 2.4 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. Reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH2Cl2). Solvent was removed under vacuum and the residue placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH2Cl2 to get 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (766 mg, 92.5%).
5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine
2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (750 mg, 2.17 mmol) was dried over P2O5 under high vacuum overnight at 40° C. It was then co-evaporated with anhydrous pyridine (20 mL). The residue obtained was dissolved in pyridine (11 mL) under argon atmosphere. 4-dimethylaminopyridine (26.5 mg, 2.60 mmol), 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (880 mg, 2.60 mmol) was added to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until all of the starting material disappeared. Pyridine was removed under vacuum and the residue chromatographed and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH2Cl2 (containing a few drops of pyridine) to get 5′-O-DMT-2-O-(dimethylamino-oxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (1.13 g, 80%).
5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite]
5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (1.08 g, 1.67 mmol) was co-evaporated with toluene (20 mL). To the residue N,N-diisopropylamine tetrazonide (0.29 g, 1.67 mmol) was added and dried over P2O5 under high vacuum overnight at 40° C. Then the reaction mixture was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (8.4 mL) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N1,N1-tetraisopropylphosphoramidite (2.12 mL, 6.08 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hrs under inert atmosphere. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (hexane:ethyl acetate 1:1). The solvent was evaporated, then the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (70 mL) and washed with 5% aqueous NaHCO3 (40 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na2SO4 and concentrated. Residue obtained was chromatographed (ethyl acetate as eluent) to get 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine -3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] as a foam (1.04 g, 74.9%).
2′-(Aminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites
2′-(Aminooxyethoxy) nucleoside amidites [also known in the art as 2′-O-(aminooxyethyl) nucleoside amidites] are prepared as described in the following paragraphs. Adenosine, cytidine and thymidine nucleoside amidites are prepared similarly.
N2-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite]
The 2′-O-aminooxyethyl guanosine analog may be obtained by selective 2′-O-alkylation of diaminopurine riboside. Multigram quantities of diaminopurine riboside may be purchased from Schering AG (Berlin) to provide 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl) diaminopurine riboside along with a minor amount of the 3-O-isomer. 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl) diaminopurine riboside may be resolved and converted to 2′-0-(2-ethylacetyl)guanosine by treatment with adenosine deaminase. (McGee, D. P. C., Cook, P. D., Guinosso, C. J., WO 94/02501 A1 940203.) Standard protection procedures should afford 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine and 2′-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5-O-(4,4-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine which may be reduced to provide 2-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine. As before the hydroxyl group may be displaced by N-hydroxyphthalimide via a Mitsunobu reaction, and the protected nucleoside may phosphitylated as usual to yield 2-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl) guanosine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite].
2-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (2′-DMAEOE) nucleoside amidites
2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy nucleoside amidites (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethylaminoethoxyethyl, i.e., 2′-O—CH2—O—CH2—N(CH2)2, or 2′-DMAEOE nucleoside amidites) are prepared as follows. Other nucleoside amidites are prepared similarly.
2′-O-[2 (2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy) ethyl]-5-methyl uridine
2[2-(Dimethylamino)ethoxy] ethanol (Aldrich, 6.66 g, 50 mmol) is slowly added to a solution of borane in tetra-hydrofuran (1 M, 10 mL, 10 mmol) with stirring in a 100 mL bomb. Hydrogen gas evolves as the solid dissolves. O2-,2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (1.2 g, 5 mmol), and sodium bicarbonate (2.5 mg) are added and the bomb is sealed, placed in an oil bath and heated to 155° C. for 26 hours. The bomb is cooled to room temperature and opened. The crude solution is concentrated and the residue partitioned between water (200 mL) and hexanes (200 mL). The excess phenol is extracted into the hexane layer. The aqueous layer is extracted with ethyl acetate (3×200 mL) and the combined organic layers are washed once with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue is columned on silica gel using methanol/methylene chloride 1:20 (which has 2% triethylamine) as the eluent. As the column fractions are concentrated a colorless solid forms which is collected to give the title compound as a white solid.
5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-[2 (2-N,N-dimethyl aminoethoxy)ethyl)]-5-methyl uridine
To 0.5 g (1.3 mmol) of 2′-O-[2(2-N,N-dimethylamino-ethoxy)ethyl)]-5-methyl uridine in anhydrous pyridine (8 mL), triethylamine (0.36 mL) and dimethoxytrityl chloride (DMT-Cl, 0.87 g, 2 eq.) are added and stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is poured into water (200 mL) and extracted with CH2Cl2 (2×200 mL). The combined CH2Cl2 layers are washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, followed by saturated NaCl solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvent followed by silica gel chromatography using MeOH:CH2Cl2:Et3N (20:1, v/v, with 1% triethylamine) gives the title compound.
5′-O-Dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-[2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy) ethyl)]-5-methyl uridine-3-O-(cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite
Diisopropylaminotetrazolide (0.6 g) and 2-cyanoethoxy-N,N-diisopropyl phosphoramidite (1.1 mL, 2 eq.) are added to a solution of 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-[2(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethoxy)ethyl)]-5-methyluridine (2.17 g, 3 mmol) dissolved in CH2Cl2 (20 mL) under an atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight and the solvent evaporated. The resulting residue is purified by silica gel flash column chromatography with ethyl acetate as the eluent to give the title compound.
Purification:
After cleavage from the controlled pore glass column (Applied Biosystems) and deblocking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide at 55° C. for 18 hours, the oligonucleotides were purified by precipitation twice out of 0.5 M NaCl with 2.5 volumes ethanol. Analytical gel electrophoresis was accomplished in 20% acrylamide, 8 M urea, 45 mM Tris-borate buffer, pH 7.0.
Oligodeoxynucleotides and their phosphorothioate analogs were judged from electrophoresis to be greater than 80% full length material.
B7 Antisense Oligonucleotides
A series of oligonucleotides with sequences designed to hybridize to the published human B7-1 (hB7-1) and murine (mB7-1) mRNA sequences (Freeman et al., J. Immunol., 1989, 143, 2714, and Freeman et al., J. Exp. Med., 1991, 174, 625 respectively). The sequences of and modifications to these oligonucleotides, and the location of each of their target sites on the hB7-1 mRNA, are given in Tables 1 and 2. Similarly, a series of oligonucleotides with sequences designed to hybridize to the human B7-2 (hB7-2) and murine B7-2 (mB7-2) mRNA published sequences (respectively, Azuma et al., Nature, 1993, 366, 76; Chen et al., J. Immunol., 1994, 152, 4929) were synthesized. The sequences of and modifications to these oligonucleotides and the location of each of their target sites on the hB7-2 mRNA are described in Tables 3 and 4. Antisense oligonucleotides targeted to ICAM-1, including ISIS 2302 (SEQ ID NO: 17), have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,788, which issued May 7, 1996, hereby incorporated by reference. ISIS 1082 (SEQ ID NO: 102) and ISIS 3082 (SEQ ID NO: 101) have been previously described (Stepkowski et al., J. Immunol., 1994, 153, 5336).
Subsequent to their initial cloning, alternative splicing events of B7 transcripts have been reported. The reported alternative splicing for B7-1 is relatively simple, in that it results in messages extended 5′ relative to the 5′ terminus of the human and murine B7-1 cDNA sequences originally reported (Borriello et al., J. Immunol., 1994, 153, 5038; Inobe et al., J. Immunol., 1996, 157, 588). In order to retain the numbering of the B7-1 sequences found in the references initially reporting B7-1 sequences, positions within these 5′ extensions of the initially reported sequences have been given negative numbers (beginning with position −1, the most 3′ base of the 5′ extension) in Tables 1 and 2. The processing of murine B7-2 transcripts is considerably more complex than that so far reported for B7-1; for example, at least five distinct murine B7-2 mRNAs, and at least two distinct human B7-2 mRNAs, can be produced by alternative splicing events (Borriello et al., J. Immunol., 1995, 155, 5490; Freeman et al., WO 95/03408, published Feb. 2, 1995; see also Jellis et al., Immunogenet., 1995, 42, 85). The nature of these splicing events is such that different 5′ exons are used to produce distinct B7-2 mRNAs, each of which has a unique 5′ sequence but which share a 3′ portion consisting of some or all of the B7-2 sequence initially reported. As a result, positions within the 5′ extensions of B7-2 messages cannot be uniquely related to a position within the sequence initially reported. Accordingly, in Table 3, a different set of coordinates (corresponding to those of SEQ ID NO: 1 of WO 95/03408) and, in Table 4, the exon number (as given in Borriello et al., J. Immunol., 1995, 155, 5490) is used to specify the location of targeted sequences which are not included in the initially reported B7-2 sequence. Furthermore, although these 5′ extended messages contain potential in-frame start codons upstream from the ones indicated in the initially published sequences, for simplicity's sake, such additional potential start codons are not indicated in the description of target sites in Tables 1–4.
In Tables 1–4, the following abbreviations are used: UTR, untranslated region; ORF, open reading frame; tIR, translation initiation region; tTR, translation termination region; FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate. Chemical modifications are indicated as follows. Residues having 2′ fluoro (2′F), 2′-methoxy (2′MO) or 2′-methoxyethoxy (2′ME) modification are emboldened, with the type of modification being indicated by the respective abbreviations. Unless otherwise indicated, interresidue linkages are phosphodiester linkages; phosphorothioate linkages are indicated by an “S” in the superscript position (e.g., TSA). Target positions are numbered according to Freeman et al., J. Immunol., 1989, 143:2714 (human B7-1 cDNA sequence; Table 1), Freeman et al., J. Exp. Med., 1991, 174, 625 (murine B7-1 cDNA sequence; Table 2), Azuma et al., Nature, 1993, 366:76 (human B7-2 cDNA sequence; Table 3) and Chen et al., J. Immunol., 1994, 152:4929 (murine B7-2 cDNA sequence; Table 4). Nucleotide base codes are as given in 37 C.F.R. § 1.822(b)(1).







TABLE 1







Sequences of Oligonucleotides Targeted to Human B7-1 mRNA











Target Position; Site
Oligonucleotide Sequence (5′ −> 3′)
SEQ ID


ISIS #
(and/or Description)
and Chemical Modifications
NO:





13797
0053–0072; 5′ UTR
GSGSGSTSASASGSASCSTSCSCSASCSTSTSCSTSGSA
22


13798
0132–0151; 5′ UTR
GSGSGSTSCSTSCSCSASASASGSGSTSTSGSTSGSGSA
23


13799
0138–0157; 5′ UTR
GSTSTSCSCSTSGSGSGSTSCSTSCSCSASASASGSGST
24


13800
0158–0177; 5′ UTR
ASCSASCSASCSASGSASGSASTSTSGSGSASGSGSGST
25


13801
0193–0212; 5′ UTR
GSCSTSCSASCSGSTSASGSASASGSASCSCSCSTSCSC
26


13802
0217–0236; 5′ UTR
GSGSCSASGSGSGSCSTSGSASTSGSASCSASASTSCSC
27


13803
0226–0245; 5′ UTR
TSGSCSASASASASCSASGSGSCSASGSGSGSCSTSGSA
28


13804
0246–0265; 5′ UTR
ASGSASCSCSASGSGSGSCSASCSTSTSCSCSCSASGSG
29


13805
0320–0339; tIR
CSCSTSGSCSCSTSCSCSGSTSGSTSGSTSGSGSCSCSC
30


13806
0380–0399; 5′ ORF
GSASCSCSASGSCSCSASGSCSASCSCSASASGSASGSC
31


13807
0450–0469; 5′ ORF
CSCSASCSASGSGSASCSASGSCSGSTSTSGSCSCSASC
32


13808
0568–0587; 5′ ORF
CSCSGSGSTSTSCSTSTSGSTSASCSTSCSGSGSGSCSC
33


13809
0634–0653; central ORF
GSCSCSCSTSCSGSTSCSASGSASTSGSGSGSCSGSCSA
51


13810
0829–0848; central ORF
CSCSASASCSCSASGSGSASGSASGSGSTSGSASGSGSC
34


13811
1102–1121; 3′ ORF
GSGSCSASASASGSCSASGSTSASGSGSTSCSASGSGSC
35


13812
1254–1273; 3′-UTR
GSCSCSTSCSASTSGSASTSCSCSCSCSASCSGSASTSC
36


13872
(scrambled # 13812)
ASGSTSCSCSTSASCSTSASCSCSASGSCSCSGSCSCST
52


12361
0056–0075; 5′ UTR
TSCSASGSGSGSTSASASGSASCSTSCSCSASCSTSTSC
38


12348
0056–0075; 5′ UTR
TCAGGGSTSASASGSASCSTSCSCACTTC (2′ME)
38


12473
0056–0075; 5′ UTR
TSCSASGSGSGSTSASASGSASCSTSCSCSASCSTSTSC (2′Fl)
38


12362
0143–0162; 5′ UTR
ASGSGSGSTSGSTSTSCSCSTSGSGSGSTSCSTSCSCSA
39


12349
0143–0162; 5′ UTR
AGGGTGSTSTSCSCSTSGSGSGSTCTCCA (2′ME)
39


12474
0143–0162; 5′ UTR
ASGSGSGSTSGSTSTSCSCSTSGSGSGSTSCSTSCSCSA (2′Fl)
39


12363
0315–0334; tIR
CSTSCSCSGSTSGSTSGSTSGSGSCSCSCSASTSGSGSC
40


12350
0315–0334; tIR
CTCCGTSGSTSGSTSGSGSCSCCATGGC (2′ME)
40


12475
0315–0334; tIR
CSTSCSCSGSTSGSTSGSTSGSGSCSCSCSASTSGSGSC (2′Fl)
40


12364
0334–0353; 5′ ORF
GSGSASTSGSGSTSGSASTSGSTSTSCSCSCSTSGSCSC
41


12351
0334–0353; 5′ ORF
GGATGGSTSGSASTSGSTSTSCCCTGCC (2′ME)
41


12476
0334–0353; 5′ ORF
GSGSASTSGSGSTSGSASTSGSTSTSCSCSCSTSGSCSC (2′Fl)
41


12365
0387–0406; 5′ ORF
TSGSASGSASASASGSASCSCSASGSCSCSASGSCSASC
42


12352
0387–0406; 5′ ORF
TGAGAASASGSASCSCSASGSCSCAGCAC (2′ME)
42


12477
0387–0406; 5′ ORF
TSGSASGSASASASGSASCSCSASGSCSCSASGSCSASC (2′Fl)
42


12366
0621–0640; central ORF
GSGSGSCSGSCSASGSASGSCSCSASGSGSASTSCSASC
43


12353
0621–0640; central ORF
GGGCGCSASGSASGSCSCSASGGATCAC (2′ME)
43


12478
0621–0640; central ORF
GSGSGSCSGSCSASGSASGSCSCSASGSGSASTSCSASC (2′Fl)
43


12367
1042–1061; 3′ ORF
GSGSCSCSCSASGSGSASTSGSGSGSASGSCSASGSGST
44


12354
1042–1061; 3′ ORF
GGCCCASGSGSASTSGSGSGSAGCAGGT (2′ME)
44


12479
1042–1061; 3′ ORF
GSGSCSCSCSASGSGSASTSGSGSGSASGSCSASGSGST (2′Fl)
44


12368
1069–1088; tTR
ASGSGSGSCSGSTSASCSASCSTSTSTSCSCSCSTSTSC
45


12355
1069–1088; tTR
AGGGCGSTSASCSASCSTSTSTCCCTTC (2′ME)
45


12480
1069–1088; tTR
ASGSGSGSCSGSTSASCSASCSTSTSTSCSCSCSTSTSC (2′Fl)
45


12369
1100–1209; tTR
CSASGSCSCSCSCSTSTSGSCSTSTSCSTSGSCSGSGSA
46


12356
1100–1209; tTR
CAGCCCSCSTSTSGSCSTSTSCSTGCGGA (2′ME)
46


12481
1100–1209; tTR
CSASGSCSCSCSCSTSTSGSCSTSTSCSTSGSCSGSGSA (2′Fl)
46


12370
1360–1380; 3′ UTR
ASASGSGSASGSASGSGSGSASTSGSCSCSASGSCSCSA
47


12357
1360–1380; 3′ UTR
AAGGAGSASGSGSGSASTSGSCCAGCCA (2′ME)
47


12482
1360–1380; 3′ UTR
ASASGSGSASGSASGSGSGSASTSGSCSCSASGSCSCSA (2′Fl)
47


12914
(−0038 to −0059; 5′ UTR of
CSTSGSTSTSASCSTSTSTSASCSASGSASGSGSGSTSTSTSG
48



alternative mRNA)
(2′MO)


12915
(−0035 to −0059; 5′ UTR of
CSTSTSCSTSGSTSTSASCSTSTSTSASCSASGSASGSGSGSTSTSTSG
49



alternative mRNA)
(2′MO)


13498
(−0038 to −0058; 5′ UTR of
CSTSGSTSTSASCSTSTSTSASCSASGSASGSGSGSTSTST
50



alternative mRNA)
(2′ME)


13499
(−0038 to −0058; 5′ UTR of
CTGTTACTTTACAGAGGGTTT
50



alternative mRNA)
(2′ME)
















TABLE 2







Sequences of Oligonucleotides Targeted to Murine B7-1 mRNA












Oligonucleotide Sequence (5′ −> 3′)
SEQ ID


ISIS #
Target Position; Site
and Chemical Modifications
NO:





14419
0009–0028; 5′ UTR
ASGSTSASASGSASGSTSCSTSASTSTSGSASGSGSTSA
53


14420
0041–0060; 5′ UTR
GSGSTSTSGSASGSTSTSTSCSASCSASASCSCSTSGSA
54


14421
0071–0091; 5′ UTR
GSTSCSCSASCSASGSASASTSGSGSASASCSASGSASG
55


14422
0109–0128; 5′ UTR
GSGSCSASTSCSCSASCSCSCSGSGSCSASGSASTSGSC
56


14423
0114–0133; 5′ UTR
TSGSGSASTSGSGSCSASTSCSCSASCSCSCSGSGSCSA
57


14424
0168–0187; 5′ UTR
ASGSGSCSASCSCSTSCSCSTSASGSGSCSTSCSASCSA
58


14425
0181–0200; 5′ UTR
GSCSCSASASTSGSGSASGSCSTSTSASGSGSCSASCSC
59


14426
0208–0217; 5′ UTR
CSASTSGSASTSGSGSGSGSASASASGSCSCSASGSGSA
60


14427
0242–0261; tIR
ASASTSTSGSCSASASGSCSCSASTSASGSCSTSTSCSA
61


14428
0393–0412; 5′ ORF
CSGSGSCSASASGSGSCSASGSCSASASTSASCSCSTST
62


14909
0478–0497; 5′ ORF
CSCSCSASGSCSASASTSGSASCSASGSASCSASGSCSA
63


14910
0569–0588; central ORF
GSGSTSCSTSGSASASASGSGSASCSCSASGSGSCSCSC
64


14911
0745–0764; central ORF
TSGSGSGSASASASCSCSCSCSCSGSGSASASGSCSASA
65


14912
0750–0769; central ORF
GSGSCSTSTSTSGSGSGSASASASCSCSCSCSCSGSGSA
66


14913
0825–0844; 3′ ORF
TSCSASGSASTSTSCSASGSGSASTSCSCSTSGSGSGSA
67


14914
0932–0951; 3′ ORF
CSCSCSASGSGSTSGSASASGSTSCSCSTSCSTSGSASC
68


14915
1001–1020; 3′ ORF
CSTSGSCSGSCSCSGSASASTSCSCSTSGSCSCSCSCSA
69


14916
1125–1144; tTR
CSASGSGSCSCSCSGSASASGSGSTSASASGSGSCSTSG
70


14917
1229–1248; 3′ UTR
TSCSASGSCSTSASGSCSASCSGSGSTSGSCSTSGSASA
71


14918
1329–1348; 3′ UTR
GSGSCSCSCSASGSCSASASASCSTSTSGSCSCSCSGST
72


14919
1377–1393; 3′ UTR
CSCSASCSCSASCSASGSTSGSGSGSCSTSCSASGSCSC
73


12912
−0067 to −0049; 5′ UTR
GSGSCSCSASTSGSASGSGSGSCSASASTSCSTSASA
74




(2′MO)


12913
−0067 to −0047; 5′ UTR
GSTSGSGSCSCSASTSGSASGSGSGSCSASASTSCSTSASA
75




(2′MO)


13496
−0067 to −0047; 5′ UTR
GSTSGSGSCSCSASTSGSASGSGSGSCSASASTSCSTSASA
75




(2′ME)


13497
−0067 to −0047; 5′ UTR
GTGGCCATGAGGGCAATCTAA
75




(2′ME)
















TABLE 3







Sequences of Oligonucleotides Targeted to Human B7-2 mRNA










ISIS #
Target Position*; Site**
Oligonucleotide Sequence (5′ −> 3′)
SEQ ID NO:













 9133
1367–1386; 3′-UTR
TSTSCSCSASGSGSTSCSASTSGSASGSCSCSASTSTSA
3


10715
scrambled control of #
GSASTSTSTSASASCSASTSTSTSGSGSCSGSCSCSCSA
76



9133


 9134
1333–1352; 3′-UTR
CSASTSASASGSGSTSGSTSGSCSTSCSTSGSASASGSTSG
4


 9135
1211–1230; 3′-UTR
TSTSASCSTSCSASTSGSGSTSASASTSGSTSCSTSTSTS
5


 9136
1101–1120; tTR
ASTSTSASASASASASCSASTSGSTSASTSCSASCSTSTS
6


10716
(scrambled # 9136)
ASASASGSTSTSASCSASASCSASTSTSASTSASTSCST
77


 9137
0054–0074; 5′-UTR
GSGSASASCSASCSASGSASASGSCSASASGSGSTSGSGST
7


 9138
0001–0020; 5′-UTR
CSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSCSTSASASGSGSCSTSCSCST
8


 9139
0133–0152; tIR
CSCSCSASTSASGSTSGSCSTSGSTSCSASCSASASAST
9


10877
(scrambled # 9139)
ASGSTSGSCSGSASTSTSCSTSCSASASASCSCSTSASC
78


10367
0073–0092; 5′-UTR
GSCSASCSASGSCSASGSCSASTSTSCSCSCSASASGSG
10


10368
0240–0259; 5′ ORF
TSTSGSCSASASASTSTSGSGSCSASTSGSGSCSASGSG
11


10369
1122–1141; 3′-UTR
TSGSGSTSASTSGSGSGSCSTSTSTSASCSTSCSTSTST
12


10370
1171–1190; 3′-UTR
ASASASASGSGSTSTSGSCSCSCSASGSGSASASCSGSG
13


10371
1233–1252; 3′-UTR
GSGSGSASGSTSCSCSTSGSGSASGSCSCSCSCSCSTST
14


10372
1353–1372; 3′-UTR
CSCSASTSTSASASGSCSTSGSGSGSCSTSTSGSGSCSC
15


11149
0019–0034; 5′-UTR
TSASTSTSTSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSC
79


11151
0020–0034; 5′-UTR
TSASTSTSTSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSC
80


11150
0021–0034; 5′-UTR
TSASTSTSTSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSC
81


10373
0011–0030; 5′-UTR
TSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSC
16


10721
(scrambled # 10373)
CSGSASCSASGSCSTSCSCSTSGSCSGSCSTSCSCSTSC
82


10729
(5′FITC # 10373)
TSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSC
16


10782
(5′cholesterol # 10373)
TSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSC
16



# 10373 Deletion



Derivatives:


10373
0011–0030; 5′-UTR
TSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSC
16


10888
0011–0026; 5′-UTR
ASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSC
83


10889
0015–0030; 5′-UTR
TSGSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
84


10991
0015–0024; 5′-UTR
CSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
85


10992
0015–0025; 5′-UTR
GSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
86


10993
0015–0026; 5′-UTR
ASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
87


10994
0015–0027; 5′-UTR
GSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
88


10995
0015–0028; 5′-UTR
CSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
89


10996
0015–0029; 5′-UTR
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
90


11232
0017–0029; 5′ UTR
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGST
91



# 10996 Derivatives:


10996
0015-0029; 5′-UTR
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
90


11806
(scrambled # 10996)
GSCSCSGSCSCSGSCSCSASASGSTSCST
92


11539
(fully 2′MO # 10996)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC (2′MO)
90


11540
(control for # 11539)
GSCSCSGSCSCSGSCSCSASASGSTSCST (2′MO)
92


11541
(# 10996 7-base “gapmer”)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC (2′MO)
90


11542
(control for # 11541)
GSCSCSGSCSCSGSCSCSASASGSTSCST (2′MO)
92


11543
(# 10996 9-base “gapmer”)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC (2′MO)
90


11544
(control for # 11543)
GSCSCSGSCSCSGSCSCSASASGSTSCST (2′MO)
92


11545
(# 10996 5′ “wingmer”)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC (2′MO)
90


11546
(control for # 11545)
GSCSCSGSCSCSGSCSCSASASGSTSCST (2′MO)
92


11547
(# 10996 3′ “wingmer”)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC (2′MO)
90


11548
(control for # 11547)
GSCSCSGSCSCSGSCSCSASASGSTSCST (2′MO)
92


12496
((2′–5′)A4 # 10996)
GCGAGCTCCCCGTAC
90


13107
((2′–5′)A4 # 10996)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC
90


12492
((2′–5′)A4 # 10996)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC (2′MO)
90


12495
((2′–5′)A4 # 10996)
GSCSGSASGSCSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASC (2′MO)
90


12887
(1–24 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of
GSASGSASASGSCSASASASGSCSTSTSTSCSASCSCSCSTSGSTSG
93



WO 95/03408; alternative
(2′MO)



mRNA)


12888
(1–22 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of
GSASASGSCSASASASGSCSTSTSTSCSASCSCSCSTSGSTSG
94



WO 95/03408; alternative
(2′MO)



mRNA)


12889
(1–19 of SEQ ID NO: 1 of
GSCSASASASGSCSTSTSTSCSASCSCSCSTSGSTSG
95



WO 95/03408; alternative
(2′MO)



mRNA)


12890
0001–0024
CSTSCSCSCSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSCSTSASASGSGSCSTSCSCST
96




(2′MO)


12891
0001–0022
CSCSCSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSCSTSASASGSGSCSTSCSCST
97




(2′MO)


12892
0001–0020
CSCSGSTSASCSCSTSCSCSTSASASGSGSCSTSCSC
98




(2′MO)
















TABLE 4







Sequences of Oligonucleotides Targeted to Murine B7-2 mRNA










ISIS #
Target Position; Site
Oligonucleotide Sequence (5′ −> 3′)
SEQ ID NO:





11347
1094–1113; 3′ UTR
ASGSASASTSTSCSCSASASTSCSASGSCSTSGSASGSA
121


11348
1062–1081; 3′ UTR
TSCSTSGSASGSASASASCSTSCSTSGSCSASCSTSTSC
122


11349
1012–1031; 3′ UTR
TSCSCSTSCSASGSGSCSTSCSTSCSASCSTSGSCSCST
123


11350
0019–1138; 5′ UTR
GSGSTSTSGSTSTSCSASASGSTSCSCSGSTSGSCSTSG
124


11351
0037–0056; 5′ UTR
ASCSASCSGSTSCSTSASCSASGSGSASGSTSCSTSGSG
103


11352
0089–0108; tIR
CSASASGSCSCSCSASTSGSGSTSGSCSASTSCSTSGSG
104


11353
0073–0092; tIR
CSTSGSGSGSGSTSCSCSASTSCSGSTSGSGSGSTSGSC
105


11354
0007–0026; 5′ UTR
CSCSGSTSGSCSTSGSCSCSTSASCSASGSGSASGSCSC
106


11695
0058–0077; 5′ UTR
GSGSTSGSCSTSTSCSCSGSTSASASGSTSTSCSTSGSG
107


11696
0096–0117; tIR
GSGSASTSTSGSCSCSASASGSCSCSCSASTSGSGSTSG
108


11866
(scrambled # 11696)
CSTSASASGSTSASGSTSGSCSTSASGSCSCSGSGSGSA
109


11697
0148–0167; 5′ ORF
TSGSCSGSTSCSTSCSCSASCSGSGSASASASCSASGSC
110


11698
0319–0338; 5′ ORF
GSTSGSCSGSGSCSCSCSASGSGSTSASCSTSTSGSGSC
111


11699
0832–0851; 3′ ORF
ASCSASASGSGSASGSGSASGSGSGSCSCSASCSASGST
112


11700
0753–0772; 3′ ORF
TSGSASGSASGSGSTSTSTSGSGSASGSGSASASASTSC
113


11701
0938–0957; 3′ ORF
GSASTSASGSTSCSTSCSTSCSTSGSTSCSASGSCSGST
114


11702
0890–0909; 3′ ORF
GSTSTSGSCSTSGSGSGSCSCSTSGSCSTSASGSGSCST
115


11865
(scrambled # 11702)
CSTSASGSGSTSCSTSCSGSTSCSGSTSCSGSGSTSGSG
116


11703
1003–1022; tTR
TSCSTSCSASCSTSGSCSCSTSTSCSASCSTSCSTSGSC
117


13100
Exon 1 (Borriello et al., J.
GSTSASCSCSASGSASTSGSASASGSGSTSTSASTSCSASA
118



Immun., 1995, 155, 5490;
(2′ MO)



5′ UTR of alternative mRNA)


13101
Exon 4 (Borriello et al.;
CSTSTSTSGSGSASGSASTSTSASTSTSCSGSASGSTST
119



5′ UTR of alternative mRNA)
(2′ MO)


13102
Exon 5 (Borriello et al.;
GSCSASASGSTSGSTSASASASGSCSCSCSTSGSASGST
120



5′ UTR of alternative mRNA)
(2′ MO)









cDNA clones:

A cDNA encoding the sequence for human B7-1 was isolated by using the reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Poly A+ RNA from Daudi cells (ATCC accession No. CCL 213) was reverse transcribed using oligo-dT primer under standard conditions. Following a 30 minute reaction at 42° C. and heat inactivation, the reaction mixture (20 μL) was brought to 100 μL with water. A 10 μL aliquot from the RT reaction was then amplified in a 50 μL PCR reaction using the 5′ primer,
5′-GAT-CAG-GGT-ACC-CCA-AAG-AAA-AAG-TGA-TTT-GTC-ATT-GC-3′ (sense, SEQ ID NO: 20), and the 3′ primer,
5′-GAT-AGC-CTC-GAG-GAT-AAT-GAA-TTG-GCT-GAC-AAG-AC-3′ (antisense, SEQ ID NO: 21).
The primers included unique restriction sites for subcloning of the PCR product into the vector pcDNA-3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.). The 5′ primer was designed to have identity with bases 1 to 26 of the published human B7-1 sequence (Freeman et al., J. Immmunol., 1989, 143, 2714; positions 13–38 of the primer) and includes a Kpn I restriction site (positions 7–12 of the primer) for use in cloning. The 3′ primer was designed to be complementary to bases 1450 to 1471 of the published sequence for B7-1 (positions 14–35 of the primer) and includes a Xho I restriction site (positions 7–12 of the primer). Following PCR, the reaction was extracted with phenol and precipitated using ethanol. The product was digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes and the full-length fragment purified by agarose gel and ligated into the vector pcDNA-3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) prepared by digesting with the same enzymes. The resultant construct, pcB7-1, was confirmed by restriction mapping and DNA sequence analysis using standard procedures. A mouse B7-1 clone, pcmB7-1, was isolated in a similar manner by RT-PCR of RNA isolated from a murine B-lymphocyte cell line, 70Z3.
A cDNA encoding the sequence for human B7-2, position 1 to 1391, was also isolated by RT-PCR. Poly A+ RNA from Daudi cells (ATCC accession No. CCL 213) was reverse transcribed using oligo-dT primer under standard conditions. Following a 30 minute reaction at 42° C. and heat inactivation, the reaction mixture (20 μL) was brought to 100 μL with water. A 10 μL aliquot from the RT reaction was then amplified in a 50 μL PCR reaction using the 5′ primer,
5′-GAT-CAG-GGT-ACC-AGG-AGC-CTT-AGG-AGG-TAC-GG-3′ (sense, SEQ ID NO: 1), and the 3′ primer,
5′-GAT-AGC-CTC-GAG-TTA-TTT-CCA-GGT-CAT-GAG-CCA-3′ (antisense, SEQ ID NO: 2).
The 5′ primer was designed to have identity with bases 1–20 of the published B7-2 sequence (Azuma et al., Nature, 1993, 366, 76 and Genbank Accession No. L25259; positions 13–32 of the primer) and includes a Kpn I site (positions 7–12 of the primer) for use in cloning. The 3′ primer was designed to have complementarity to bases 1370–1391 of the published sequence for B7-2 (positions 13–33 of the primer) and includes an Xho I restriction site (positions 7–12 of the primer). Following PCR, the reaction was extracted with phenol and precipitated using ethanol. The product was digested with Xho I and Kpn I, and the full-length fragment purified by agarose gel and ligated into the vector pcDNA-3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.) prepared by digesting with the same enzymes. The resultant construct, pcB7-2, was confirmed by restriction mapping and DNA sequence analysis using standard procedures.
A mouse B7-2 clone, pcmB7-2, was isolated in a similar manner by RT-PCR of RNA isolated from P388D1 cells using the 5′ primer,
5′-GAT-CAG-GGT-ACC-AAG-AGT-GGC-TCC-TGT-AGG-CA (sense, SEQ ID NO: 99), and the 3′ primer,
5′-GAT-AGC-CTC-GAG-GTA-GAA-TTC-CAA-TCA-GCT-GA (antisense, SEQ ID NO: 100).
The 5′ primer has identity with bases 1–20, whereas the 3′ primer is complementary to bases 1096–1115, of the published murine B7-2 sequence (Chen et al., J. Immun., 1994, 152, 4929). Both primers incorporate the respective restriction enzyme sites found in the other 5′ and 3′ primers used to prepare cDNA clones. The RT-PCR product was restricted with Xho I and Kpn I and ligated into pcDNA-3 (Invitrogen, San Diego, Calif.).
Other cDNA clones, corresponding to mRNAs resulting from alternative splicing events, are cloned in like fashion, using primers containing the appropriate restriction sites and having identity with (5′ primers), or complementarity to (3′ primers), the selected B7 mRNA.
Example 2
Modulation of hB7-1 Expression by Oligonucleotides
The ability of oligonucleotides to inhibit B7-1 expression was evaluated by measuring the cell surface expression of B7-1 in transfected COS-7 cells by flow cytometry.
Methods:
A T-175 flask was seeded at 75% confluency with COS-7 cells (ATCC accession No. CRL 1651). The plasmid pcB7-1 was introduced into cells by standard calcium phosphate transfection. Following a 4 hour transfection, the cells were trypsinized and seeded in 12-well dishes at 80% confluency. The cells were allowed to adhere to the plastic for 1 hour and were then washed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). OptiMEMTM (GIBCO-BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) medium was added along with 15 μg/mL of LipofectinTM (GIBCO-BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) and oligonucleotide at the indicated concentrations. After four additional hours, the cells were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and incubated with fresh oligonucleotide at the same concentration in DMEM (Dulbecco et al., Virol., 1959, 8, 396; Smith et al., Virol., 1960, 12, 185) with 10% fetal calf sera (FCS).
In order to monitor the effects of oligonucleotides on cell surface expression of B7-1, treated COS-7 cells were harvested by brief trypsinization 24–48 hours after oligonucleotide treatment. The cells were washed with PBS, then resuspended in 100 μL of staining buffer (PBS, 0.2% BSA, 0.1% azide) with 5 μL conjugated anti-B7-1-antibody (i.e., anti-hCD80-FITC, Ancell, Bayport, Minn.; FITC: fluorescein isothiocyanate). The cells were stained for 30 minutes at 4° C., washed with PBS, resuspended in 300 μL containing 0.5% paraformaldehyde. Cells were harvested and the fluorescence profiles were determined using a flow cytometer.
Results:
The oligonucleotides shown in Table 1 were evaluated, in COS-7 cells transiently expressing B7-1 cDNA, for their ability to inhibit B7-1 expression. The results (FIG. 1) identified ISIS 13805, targeted to the translation initiation codon region, and ISIS 13812, targeted to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR), as the most active oligonucleotides with greater than 50% inhibition of B7-1 expression. These oligonucleotides are thus highly preferred. ISIS 13799 (targeted to the 5′ untranslated region), ISIS 13802 (targeted to the 5′ untranslated region), ISIS 13806 and 13807 (both targeted to the 5′ region of the ORF), and ISIS 13810 (targeted to the central portion of the ORF) demonstrated 35% to 50% inhibition of B7-1 expression. These sequences are therefore also preferred.
Oligonucleotide ISIS 13800, which showed essentially no inhibition of B7-1 expression in the flow cytometry assay, and ISIS Nos. 13805 and 13812 were then evaluated for their ability to inhibit cell surface expression of B7-1 at various concentrations of oligonucleotide. The results of these assays are shown in FIG. 2. ISIS 13812 was a superior inhibitor of B7-1 expression with an IC50 of approximately 150 nM. ISIS 13800, targeted to the 5′ UTR, was essentially inactive.
Example 3
Modulation of hB7-2 Protein by Oligonucleotides
In an initial screen, the ability of hB7-2 oligonucleotides to inhibit B7-2 expression was evaluated by measuring the cell surface expression of B7-2 in transfected COS-7 cells by flow cytometry. The methods used were similar to those given in Example 2, with the exceptions that (1) COS-7 cells were transfected with the plasmids pbcB7-2 or BBG-58, a human ICAM-1 (CD54) expression vector (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) introduced into cells by standard calcium phosphate transfection, (2) the oligonucleotides used were those described in Table 2, and (3) a conjugated anti-B7-2 antibody (i.e., anti-hCD86-FITC or anti-CD86-PE, PharMingen, San Diego, Calif.; PE: phycoerythrin) was used during flow cytometry.
Results:
The results are shown in FIG. 3. At a concentration of 200 nM, ISIS 9133, ISIS 9139 and ISIS 10373 exhibited inhibitory activity of 50% or better and are therefore highly preferred. These oligonucleotides are targeted to the 3′ untranslated region (ISIS 9133), the translation initiation codon region (ISIS 9139) and the 5′ untranslated region (ISIS 10373). At the same concentration, ISIS 10715, ISIS 10716 and ISIS 10721, which are scrambled controls for ISIS 9133, ISIS 9139 and ISIS 10373, respectively, showed no inhibitory activity. Treatment with ISIS 10367 and ISIS 10369 resulted in greater than 25% inhibition, and these oligonucleotides are thus also preferred. These oligonucleotides are targeted to the 5′ (ISIS 10367) and 3′ (ISIS 10369) untranslated regions.
Example 4
Modulation of hB7-2 mRNA by Oligonucleotides
Methods:
For ribonuclease protection assays, cells were harvested 18 hours after completion of oligonucleotide treatment using a Totally RNATM kit (Ambion, Austin, Tex.). The probes for the assay were generated from plasmids pcB7-2 (linearized by digestion with Bgl II) and pTRI-b-actin (Ambion Inc., Austin, Tex.). In vitro transcription of the linearized plasmid from the SP6 promoter was performed in the presence of α-32P-UTP (800 Ci/mmole) yielding an antisense RNA complementary to the 3′ end of B7-2 (position 1044–1391). The probe was gel-purified after treatment with DNase I to remove DNA template. Ribonuclease protection assays were carried out using an RPA IITM kit (Ambion) according to the manufacturer's directions. Total RNA (5 μg) was hybridized overnight, at 42° C., with 105 cpm of the B7-2 probe or a control beta-actin probe. The hybridization reaction was then treated, at 37° C. for 30 minutes, with 0.4 units of RNase A and 2 units of RNase T1. Protected RNA was precipitated, resuspended in 10 μL of gel loading buffer and electrophoresed on a 6% acrylamide gel with 50% w/v urea at 20 W. The gel was then exposed and the lanes quantitated using a PhosphorImager (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale, Calif.) essentially according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Results:
The extent of oligonucleotide-mediated hB7-2 mRNA modulation generally paralleled the effects seen for hB7-2 protein (Table 5). As with the protein expression (flow cytometry) assays, the most active oligonucleotides were ISIS 9133, ISIS 9139 and 10373. None of the oligonucleotides tested had an inhibitory effect on the expression of b-actin mRNA in the same cells.







TABLE 5







Activities of Oligonucleotides Targeted to hB7-2 mRNA














% Control
% Control RNA



ISIS NO.
SEQ ID NO.
Protein
Expression
















9133
3
70.2
46.0



9134
4
88.8
94.5



9135
5
98.2
83.4



9136
6
97.1
103.1



9137
7
80.5
78.1



9138
8
86.4
65.9



9139
9
47.9
32.6



10367
10
71.3
52.5



10368
11
81.0
84.5



10369
12
71.3
81.5



10370
13
84.3
83.2



10371
14
97.3
92.9



10372
15
101.7
82.5



10373
16
43.5
32.7










Example 5
Additional hB7-1 and hB7-2 Oligonucleotides
Oligonucleotides having structures and/or sequences that were modified relative to the oligonucleotides identified during the initial screening were prepared. These oligonucleotides were evaluated for their ability to modulate human B7-2 expression using the methods described in the previous Examples.
ISIS 10996, an oligonucleotide having a 15 nucleotide sequence derived from the 20 nucleotide sequence of ISIS 10373, was also prepared and evaluated. ISIS 10996 comprises 15 nucleotides, 5′-GCG-AGC-TCC-CCG-TAC (SEQ ID NO: 90) contained within the sequence of ISIS 10373. Both ISIS 10373 and 10996 overlap a potential stem-loop structure located within the B7-2 message comprising bases 1–67 of the sequence of hB7-2 presented by Azuma et al. (Nature, 1993, 366, 76). While not intending to be bound by any particular theory regarding their mode(s) of action, ISIS 10373 and ISIS 10996 have the potential to bind as loop 1 pseudo-half-knots at a secondary structure within the target RNA. U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,438, which issued Apr. 30, 1996, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, describes methods for modulating gene expression by the formation of pseudo-half-knots. Regardless of their mode(s) of action, despite having a shorter length than ISIS 10373, the 15-mer ISIS 10996 is as (or more) active in the B7-2 protein expression assay than the 20-mer from which it is derived (FIG. 4; ISIS 10721 is a scrambled control for ISIS 10373). A related 16-mer, ISIS 10889, was also active in the B7-2 protein expression assay. However, a structurally related 14-mer (ISIS 10995), 13-mer (ISIS 10994), 12-mer (ISIS 10993), 11-mer (ISIS 10992) and 10-mer (ISIS 10991) exhibited little or no activity in this assay. ISIS 10996 was further derivatized in the following ways.
ISIS 10996 derivatives having 2′ methoxethoxy substitutions were prepared, including a fully substituted derivative (ISIS 11539), “gapmers” (ISIS 11541 and 11543) and “wingmers” (ISIS 11545 and 11547). As explained in Example 5, the 2′ methoxyethoxy substitution prevents the action of some nucleases (e.g., RNase H) but enhances the affinity of the modified oligonucleotide for its target RNA molecule. These oligonucleotides are tested for their ability to modulate hB7-2 message or function according to the methods of Examples 3, 4, 7 and 8.
ISIS 10996 derivatives were prepared in order to be evaluated for their ability to recruit RNase L to a target RNA molecule, e.g., hB7-2 message. RNase L binds to, and is activated by, (2′–5′) (A)n, which is in turn produced from ATP by (2′–5′)(A)n, synthetase upon activation by, e.g., interferon. RNase L has been implicated in antiviral mechanisms and in the regulation of cell growth as well (Sawai, Chemica scripta, 1986, 21, 169; Charachon et al., Biochemistry, 1990, 29, 2550). The combination of anti-B7 oligonucleotides conjugated to (2′–5′) (A)n is expected to result in the activation of RNase L and its targeting to the B7 message complementary to the oligonucleotide sequence. The following oligonucleotides have identical sequences (i.e., that of ISIS 10996) and identical (2′-5′)(A)4 “caps” on their 5′ termini: ISIS 12492, 12495, 12496 and 13107. The adenosyl residues have 3′ hydroxyl groups and are linked to each other by phosphorothioate linkages. The (3′–5′) portion of the oligonucleotide, which has a sequence complementary to a portion of the human B7-2 RNA, is conjugated to the (2′–5′) (A)4 “cap” via a phosphorothioate linkage from the 5′ residue of the (3′–5′) portion of the oligonucleotide to an n-aminohexyl linker which is bonded to the “cap” via another phosphorothioate linkage. In order to test a variety of chemically diverse oligonucleotides of this type for their ability to recruit RNase L to a specific message, different chemical modifications were made to this set of four oligonucleotides as follows. ISIS 12496 consists of unmodified oligonucleotides in the (3′–5′) portion of the oligonucleotide. In ISIS 13107, phosphorothioate linkages replace the phosphate linkages found in naturally occurring nucleic acids. Phosphorothioate linkages are also employed in ISIS 12492 and 12495, which additionally have 2′-methoxyethoxy substitutions. These oligonucleotides are tested for their ability to modulate hB7-2 message or function according to the methods of Examples 3, 4, 7 and 8.
Derivatives of ISIS 10996 having modifications at the 2′ position were prepared and evaluated. The modified oligonucleotides included ISIS 11539 (fully 2′-O-methyl), ISIS 11541 (having 2′-O-methyl “wings” and a central 7-base “gap”), ISIS 11543 (2′-O-methyl wings with a 9-base gap), ISIS 11545 (having a 5′ 2′-O-methyl wing) and ISIS 11547 (having a 3′ 2′-O-methyl wing). The results of assays of 2′-O-methyl oligonucleotides were as follows. ISIS 11539, the fully 2′O-methyl version of ISIS 10996, was not active at all in the protein expression assay. The gapped and winged oligonucleotides (ISIS 11541, 11543, 11545 and 11547) each showed some activity at 200 nM (i.e., from 60 to 70% expression relative to untreated cells), but less than that demonstrated by the parent compound, ISIS 10996 (i.e., about 50% expression). Similar results were seen in RNA expression assays.
ISIS 10782, a derivative of ISIS 10373 to which cholesterol has been conjugated via a 5′ n-aminohexyl linker, was prepared. Lipophilic moieties such as cholesterol have been reported to enhance the uptake by cells of oligonucleotides in some instances, although the extent to which uptake is enhanced, if any, remains unpredictable. ISIS 10782, and other oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, are tested for their ability to modulate B7-2 message or function according to the methods of Examples 3, 4, 7 and 8.
A series of 2′-methoxyethoxy (herein, “2′ME”) and 2′-fluoride (herein, “2′F”) “gapmer” derivatives of the hB7-1 oligonucleotides ISIS 12361 (ISIS Nos. 12348 and 12473, respectively), ISIS 12362 (ISIS Nos. 12349 and 12474), ISIS 12363 (ISIS Nos. 12350 and 12475), ISIS 12364 (ISIS Nos. 12351 and 12476), ISIS 12365 (ISIS Nos. 12352 and 12477), ISIS 12366 (ISIS Nos. 12353 and 12478), ISIS 12367 (ISIS Nos. 12354 and 12479), ISIS 12368 (ISIS Nos. 12355 and 12480), ISIS 12369 (ISIS Nos. 12356 and 12481) and ISIS 12370 (ISIS Nos. 12357 and 12482) were prepared. The central, non-2′-modified portions (“gaps”) of these derivatives support RNase H activity when the oligonucleotide is bound to its target RNA, even though the 2′-modified portions do not. However, the 2′-modified “wings” of these oligonucleotides enhance their affinity to their target RNA molecules (Cook, Chapter 9 In: Antisense Research and Applications, Crooke et al., eds., CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 171–172).
Another 2′ modification is the introduction of a methoxy (MO) group at this position. Like 2′ME- and 2′F-modified oligonucleotides, this modification prevents the action of RNase H on duplexes formed from such oligonucleotides and their target RNA molecules, but enhances the affinity of an oligonucleotide for its target RNA molecule. ISIS 12914 and 12915 comprise sequences complementary to the 5′ untranslated region of alternative hB7-1 mRNA molecules, which arise from alternative splicing events of the primary hB7-1 transcript. These oligonucleotides include 2′ methoxy modifications, and the enhanced target affinity resulting therefrom may allow for greater activity against alternatively spliced B7-1 mRNA molecules which may be present in low abundance in some tissues (Inobe et al., J. Immun., 1996, 157, 582). Similarly, ISIS 13498 and 13499, which comprise antisense sequences to other alternative hB7-1 mRNAs, include 2′ methoxyethoxy modifications in order to enhance their affinity for their target molecules, and 2′ methoxyethoxy or 2′methoxy substitutions are incorporated into the hB7-2 oligonucleotides ISIS 12912, 12913, 13496 and 13497. These oligonucleotides are tested for their ability to modulate hB7-1 essentially according to the methods of Example 2 or hB7-2 according to the methods of Examples 3, 4, 7 and 8, with the exception that, when necessary, the target cells are transfected with a cDNA clone corresponding to the appropriate alternatively spliced B7 transcript.
Example 6
Specificity of Antisense Modulation
Several oligonucleotides of the invention were evaluated in a cell surface expression flow cytometry assay to determine the specificity of the oligonucleotides for B7-1 as contrasted with activity against B7-2. The oligonucleotides tested in this assay included ISIS 13812, an inhibitor of B7-1 expression (FIG. 1; Example 2) and ISIS 10373, an inhibitor of B7-2 expression (FIG. 3; Example 3). The results of this assay are shown in FIG. 5. ISIS 13812 inhibits B7-1 expression with little or no effect on B7-2 expression. As is also seen in FIG. 5, ISIS 10373 inhibits B7-2 expression with little or no effect on B7-1 expression. ISIS 13872 (SEQ ID NO: 37, AGT-CCT-ACT-ACC-AGC-CGC-CT), a scrambled control of ISIS 13812, and ISIS 13809 (SEQ ID NO: 51) were included in these assays and demonstrated essentially no activity against either B7-1 or B7-2.
Example 7
Modulation of hB7-2 Expression by Oligonucleotides in Antigen Presenting Cells
The ability of ISIS 10373 to inhibit expression from the native B7-2 gene in antigen presenting cells (APCs) was evaluated as follows.
Methods:
Monocytes were cultured and treated with oligonucleotides as follows. For dendritic cells, EDTA-treated blood was layered onto PolymorphprepTM (1.113 g/mL; Nycomed, Oslo, Norway) and sedimented at 500×g for 30 minutes at 20° C. Mononuclear cells were harvested from the interface. Cells were washed with PBS, with serum-free RPMI media (Moore et al., N.Y. J. Med., 1968, 68, 2054) and then with RPMI containing 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Monocytes were selected by adherence to plastic cell culture cell culture dishes for 1 h at 37° C. After adherence, cells were treated with oligonucleotides in serum-free RPMI containing LipofectinTM (8 μg/mL). After 4 hours, the cells were washed. Then RPMI containing 5% FBS and oligonucleotide was added to cells along with interleukin-4 (IL-4; R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) (66 ng/mL) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) (66 ng/mL) to stimulate differentiation (Romani et al., J. Exp. Med., 1994, 180, 83, 1994). Cells were incubated for 48 hours, after which cell surface expression of various molecules was measured by flow cytometry.
Mononuclear cells isolated from fresh blood were treated with oligonucleotide in the presence of cationic lipid to promote cellular uptake. As a control oligonucleotide, ISIS 2302 (an inhibitor of ICAM-1 expression; SEQ ID NO: 17) was also administered to the cells. Expression of B7-2 protein was measured by flow cytometry according to the methods of Example 2. Monoclonal antibodies not described in the previous Examples included anti-hCD3 (Ancell, Bayport, Minn.) and anti-HLA-DR (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.).
Results:
As shown in FIG. 6, ISIS 10373 has a significant inhibitory effect on B7-2 expression with an IC50 of approximately 250 nM. ISIS 10373 had only a slight effect on ICAM-1 expression even at a dose of 1 μM. ISIS 2302 (SEQ ID NO: 17), a control oligonucleotide which has been shown to inhibit ICAM-1 expression, had no effect on B7-2 expression, but significantly decreased ICAM-1 levels with an IC50 of approximately 250 nM. Under similar conditions, ISIS 10373 did not affect the cell surface expression of B7-1, HLA-DR or CD3 as measured by flow cytometry.
Example 8
Modulation of T Cell Proliferation by Oligonucleotides
The ability of ISIS 2302 and ISIS 10373 to inhibit T cell proliferation was evaluated as follows. Monocytes treated with oligonucleotide and cytokines (as in Example 6) were used as antigen presenting cells in a T cell proliferation assay. The differentiated monocytes were combined with CD4+ T cells from a separate donor. After 48 hours, proliferation was measured by [3H] thymidine incorporation.
Methods:
For T cell proliferation assays, cells were isolated from EDTA-treated whole blood as described above, except that a faster migrating band containing the lymphocytes was harvested from just below the interface. Cells were washed as described in Example 6 after which erythrocytes were removed by NH4Cl lysis. T cells were purified using a T cell enrichment column (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) essentially according to the manufacturer's directions. CD4+ T cells were further enriched from the entire T cell population by depletion of CD8+ cells with anti-CD8-conjugated magnetic beads (AMAC, Inc., Westbrook, Me.) according to the manufacturer's directions. T cells were determined to be >80% CD4+ by flow cytometry using Cy-chrome-conjugated anti-CD4 mAb (PharMingen, San Diego, Calif.).
Antigen presenting cells (APCs) were isolated as described in Example 6 and treated with mitomycin C (25 μg/mL) for 1 hour then washed 3 times with PBS. APCs (105 cells) were then combined with 4×104 CD4+ T cells in 350 μL of culture media. Where indicated, purified CD3 mAb was also added at a concentration of 1 μg/mL. During the last 6 hours of the 48 hour incubation period, proliferation was measured by determining uptake of 1.5 uCi of [3H]-thymidine per well. The cells were harvested onto filters and the radioactivity measured by scintillation counting.
Results:
As shown in FIG. 7, mononuclear cells which were not cytokine-treated slightly induced T cell proliferation, presumably due to low levels of costimulatory molecules expressed on the cells. However, when the cells were treated with cytokines and induced to differentiate to dendritic-like cells, expression of both ICAM-1 and B7-2 was strongly upregulated. This resulted in a strong T cell proliferative response which could be blocked with either anti-ICAM-1 (ISIS 2302) or anti-B7-2 (ISIS 10373) oligonucleotides prior to induction of the mononuclear cells. The control oligonucleotide (ISIS 10721) had an insignificant effect on T cell proliferation. A combination treatment with both the anti-ICAM-1 (ISIS 2302) and anti-B7-2 (ISIS 10373) oligonucleotides resulted in a further decrease in T cell response.
Example 9
Modulation of Murine B7 Genes by Oligonucleotides
Oligonucleotides (see Table 4) capable of inhibiting expression of murine B7-2 transiently expressed in COS-7 cells were identified in the following manner. A series of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides complementary to murine B7-2 (mB7-2) cDNA were screened for their ability to reduce mB7-2 levels (measured by flow cytometry as in Example 2, except that a conjugated anti-mB7-2 antibody (i.e., anti-mCD86-PE, PharMingen, San Diego, Calif.) in COS-7 cells transfected with an mB7-2 cDNA clone. Anti-mB7-2 antibody may also be obtained from the hybridoma deposited at the ATCC under accession No. HB-253. Oligonucleotides (see Table 2) capable of modulating murine B7-1 expression are isolated in like fashion, except that a conjugated anti-mB7-1 antibody is used in conjunction with COS-7 cells transfected with an mB7-1 cDNA clone.
For murine B7-2, the most active oligonucleotide identified was ISIS 11696 (GGA-TTG-CCA-AGC-CCA-TGG-TG, SEQ ID NO: 18), which is complementary to position 96–115 of the cDNA, a site which includes the translation initiation (AUG) codon. FIG. 8 shows a dose-response curve for ISIS 11696 and a scrambled control, ISIS 11866 (CTA-AGT-AGT-GCT-AGC-CGG-GA, SEQ ID NO: 19). ISIS 11696 inhibited cell surface expression of B7-2 in COS-7 cells with an IC50 in the range of 200–300 nM, while ISIS 11866 exhibited less than 20% inhibition at the highest concentration tested (1000 nM).
In order to further evaluate the murine B7-2 antisense oligonucleotides, the IC-21 cell line was used. IC-21 monocyte/macrophage cell line expresses both B7-1 and murine B7-2 (mB7-2) constitutively. A 2-fold induction of expression can be achieved by incubating the cells in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; GIBCO-BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) (Hathcock et al., Science, 1993, 262, 905).
IC-21 cells (ATCC; accession No. TIB 186) were seeded at 80% confluency in 12-well plates in DMEM media with 10% FCS. The cells were allowed to adhere to the plate overnight. The following day, the medium was removed and the cells were washed with PBS. Then 500 μL of OptiMEMTM (GIBCO-BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) supplemented with 15 μg/mL of LipofectinTM (GIBCO-BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.) was added to each well. Oligonucleotides were then added directly to the medium at the indicated concentrations. After incubation for 4 hours, the cells were washed with PBS and incubated overnight in culture medium supplemented with 15 μg/mL of LPS. The following day, cells were harvested by scraping, then analyzed for cell surface expression by flow cytometry.
ISIS 11696 and ISIS 11866 were administered to IC-21 cells in the presence of LipofectinTM (GIBCO-BRL, Gaithersburg, Md.). The results are shown in FIG. 9. At a concentration of 10 uM, ISIS 11696 inhibited mB7-2 expression completely (and decreased mB7-2 levels below the constitutive level of expression), while the scrambled control oligonucleotide, ISIS 11866, produced only a 40% reduction in the level of induced expression. At a concentration of 3 uM, levels of induced expression were greatly reduced by ISIS 11696, while ISIS 11866 had little effect.
Modified oligonucleotides, comprising 2′ substitutions (e.g., 2′ methoxy, 2′ methoxyethoxy) and targeted to alternative transcripts of murine B7-1 (ISIS 12914, 12915, 13498, 13499) or murine B7-2 (ISIS 13100, 13100 and 13102) were prepared. These oligonucleotides are tested for their ability to modulate murine B7 essentially according to the above methods using IC-21 cells or COS-7 transfected with a cDNA clone corresponding to the appropriate alternatively spliced B7 transcript.
Example 10
Modulation of Allograft Rejection by Oligonucleotides
A murine model for evaluating compounds for their ability to inhibit heart allograft rejection has been previously described (Stepkowski et al., J. Immunol., 1994, 153, 5336). This model was used to evaluate the immunosuppressive capacity of antisense oligonucleotides to B7 proteins alone or in combination with antisense oligonucleotides to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).
Methods:
Heart allograft rejection studies and oligonucleotide treatments of BALB/c mice were performed essentially as previously described (Stepkowski et al., J. Immunol., 1994, 153, 5336). Antisense oligonucleotides used included ISIS 11696, ISIS 3082 (targeted to ICAM-1) and ISIS 1082 (a control oligonucleotide targeted to the herpes virus UL-13 gene sequence). Dosages used were 1, 2, 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg of individual oligonucleotide (as indicated below); when combinations of oligonucleotides were administered, each oligonucleotide was given at a dosage of 1, 5 or 10 mg/kg (total oligonucleotide dosages of 2, 10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively). The survival times of the transplanted hearts and their hosts were monitored and recorded.
Results:
The mean survival time for untreated mice was 8.2±0.8 days (7,8,8,8,9,9 days). Treatment of the mice for 7 days with ISIS 1082 (SEQ ID NO: 125, unrelated control oligonucleotide) slightly reduced the mean survival times to 7.1±0.7 days (5 mg/kg/day; 6,7,7,7,8,8) or 7.0±0.8 days(10 mg/kg/day; 6,7,7,8). Treatment of the mice for seven days with the murine B7-2 oligonucleotide ISIS 11696 (SEQ ID NO: 108) increased the mean survival time to 9.3 days at two doses (2 mg/kg/day, 9.3±0.6 days, 9,9,10; 10 mg/kg/day, 9.3±1.3 days, 8,9,9,11). Treatment of mice for seven days with an ICAM-1 oligonucleotide, ISIS 3082, also increased the mean survival of the mice over several doses. Specifically, at 1 mg/kg/day, the mean survival time (MSD) was 11.0±0.0 (11,11,11); at 2.5 mg/kg/day, the MSD was 12.0±2.7 (10,12,13,16); at 5 mg/kg/day, the MSD was 14.1±2.7 (10,12,12,13,16,16,17,17); and, at 10 mg/kg/day, the MSD was 15.3±5.8 (12,12,13,24). Some synergistic effect was seen when the mice were treated for seven days with 1 mg/kg/day each of ISIS 3082 and 11696: the MSD was 13.8±1.0 (13,13,14,15).
Example 11
Detection of Nucleic Acids Encoding B7 Proteins
Oligonucleotides are radiolabeled after synthesis by 32P-labeling at the 5′ end with polynucleotide kinase. Sambrook et al., “Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual,” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, Volume 2, pg. 11.31. Radiolabeled oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to a nucleic acid encoding a B7 protein is contacted with a tissue or cell sample suspected of B7 protein expression under conditions in which specific hybridization can occur, and the sample is washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide. A similar control is maintained wherein the radiolabeled oligonucleotide is contacted with a normal tissue or cell sample under conditions that allow specific hybridization, and the sample is washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide. Radioactivity remaining in the samples indicates bound oligonucleotide and is quantitated using a scintillation counter or other routine means. A greater amount of radioactivity remaining in the samples, as compared to control tissues or cells, indicates increased expression of a B7 gene, whereas a lesser amount of radioactivity in the samples relative to the controls indicates decreased expression of a B7 gene.
Radiolabeled oligonucleotides of the invention are also useful in autoradiography. A section of tissues suspected of expressing a B7 gene is treated with radiolabeled oligonucleotide and washed as described above, then exposed to photographic emulsion according to standard autoradiography procedures. A control of a normal tissue section is also maintained. The emulsion, when developed, yields an image of silver grains over the regions expressing a B7 gene, which is quantitated. The extent of B7 expression is determined by comparison of the silver grains observed with control and test samples.
Analogous assays for fluorescent detection of expression of a B7 gene use oligonucleotides of the invention which are labeled with fluorescein or other fluorescent tags. Labeled oligonucleotides are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) using standard phosphoramidite chemistry. b-Cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites are purchased from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Fluorescein-labeled amidites are purchased from Glen Research (Sterling, Va.). Incubation of oligonucleotide and biological sample is carried out as described above for radiolabeled oligonucleotides except that, instead of a scintillation counter, a fluorescence microscope is used to detect the fluorescence. A greater amount of fluorescence in the samples, as compared to control tissues or cells, indicates increased expression of a B7 gene, whereas a lesser amount of fluorescence in the samples relative to the controls indicates decreased expression of a B7 gene.
Example 12
Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Human B7-1 Antisense Oligonucleotides
Additional oligonucleotides targeting human B7-1 were synthesized. Oligonucleotides were synthesized as uniformly phosphorothioate chimeric oligonucleotides having regions of five 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides at the wings and a central region of ten deoxynucleotides. Oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 6.
Oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 4. Results are shown in Table 7.
Oligonucleotides 22315 (SEQ ID NO: 128), 22316 (SEQ ID NO: 26), 22317 (SEQ ID NO: 129), 22320 (SEQ ID NO: 132), 22324 (SEQ ID NO: 135), 22325 (SEQ ID NO: 136), 22334 (SEQ ID NO: 145), 22335 (SEQ ID NO: 146), 22337 (SEQ ID NO: 148), and 22338 (SEQ ID NO: 36) resulted in 50% or greater inhibition of B7-1 mRNA in this assay.







TABLE 6







Nucleotide Sequences of Human B7-1 Chimeric (deoxy gapped)


Oligodeoxynucleotides













SEQ
TARGET GENE
GENE


ISIS
NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE1
ID
NUCLEOTIDE
TARGET


NO.
(5′ −> 3′)
NO:
CO-ORDINATES2
REGION














22313
AGACTCCACTTCTGAGATGT
126
0048–0067
5′-UTR


22314
TGAAGAAAAATTCCACTTTT
127
0094–0113
5′-UTR


22315
TTTAGTTTCACAGCTTGCTG
128
0112–0129
5′-UTR


22316
GCTCACGTAGAAGACCCTCC
26
0193–0212
5′-UTR


22317
TCCCAGGTGCAAAACAGGCA
129
0233–0252
5′-UTR


22318
GTGAAAGCCAACAATTTGGA
130
0274–0293
5′-UTR


22319
CATGGCTTCAGATGCTTAGG
131
0301–0320
AUG


22320
TTGAGGTATGGACACTTGGA
132
0351–0370
coding


22321
GACCAGCCAGCACCAAGAGC
31
0380–0399
coding


22322
GCGTTGCCACTTCTTTCACT
133
0440–0459
coding


22323
TTTTGCCAGTAGATGCGAGT
134
0501–0520
coding


22324
GGCCATATATTCATGTCCCC
135
0552–0571
coding


22325
GCCAGGATCACAATGGAGAG
136
0612–0631
coding


22326
GTATGTGCCCTCGTCAGATG
137
0640–0659
coding


22327
TTCAGCCAGGTGTTCCCGCT
138
0697–0716
coding


22328
GGAAGTCAGCTTTGACTGAT
139
0725–0744
coding


22329
CCTCCAGAGGTTGAGCAAAT
140
0798–0817
coding


22330
CCAACCAGGAGAGGTGAGGC
141
0827–0846
coding


22331
GAAGCTGTGGTTGGTTGTCA
142
0940–0959
coding


22332
TTGAAGGTCTGATTCACTCT
143
0987–1006
coding


22333
AAGGTAATGGCCCAGGATGG
144
1050–1069
coding


22334
AAGCAGTAGGTCAGGCAGCA
145
1098–1117
coding


22335
CCTTGCTTCTGCGGACACTG
146
1185–1204
3′-UTR


22336
AGCCCCTTGCTTCTGCGGAC
147
1189–1208
3′-UTR


22337
TGACGGAGGCTACCTTCAGA
148
1216–1235
3′-UTR


22338
GCCTCATGATCCCCACGATC
36
1254–1273
3′-UTR


22339
GTAAAACAGCTTAAATTTGT
149
1286–1305
3′-UTR


22340
AGAAGAGGTTACATTAAGCA
150
1398–1417
3′-UTR


22341
AGATAATGAATTGGCTGACA
151
1454–1473
3′-UTR


24733
GCGTCATCATCCGCACCATC
152
control


24734
CGTTGCTTGTGCCGACAGTG
153
control


24735
GCTCACGAAGAACACCTTCC
154
control





1Emboldened residues are 2′-methoxyethoxy residues (others are 2′-deoxy-). All 2′-methoxyethyl cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages.


2Co-ordinates from Genbank Accession No. M27533, locus name “HUMIGB7”.













TABLE 7







Inhibition of Human B7-1 mRNA Expression by Chimeric (deoxy


gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides












SEQ
GENE




ISIS
ID
TARGET
% mRNA
% mRNA


No:
NO:
REGION
EXPRESSION
INHIBITION





basal
—
—
100% 
—


13805
30
AUG
46%
54%


13812
36
3′-UTR
22%
78%


22313
126
5′-UTR
75%
25%


22314
127
5′-UTR
69%
31%


22315
128
5′-UTR
49%
51%


22316
26
5′-UTR
42%
58%


22317
129
5′-UTR
43%
57%


22318
130
5′-UTR
63%
37%


22319
131
AUG
68%
32%


22320
132
coding
45%
55%


22321
31
coding
57%
43%


22324
135
coding
46%
54%


22325
136
coding
46%
54%


22326
137
coding
62%
38%


22328
139
coding
64%
36%


22329
140
coding
59%
41%


22330
141
coding
54%
46%


22331
142
coding
62%
38%


22332
143
coding
67%
33%


22333
144
coding
73%
27%


22334
145
coding
43%
57%


22335
146
3′-UTR
43%
57%


22336
147
3′-UTR
55%
45%


22337
148
3′-UTR
42%
58%


22338
36
3′-UTR
40%
60%


22339
149
3′-UTR
69%
31%


22340
150
3′-UTR
71%
29%


22341
151
3′-UTR
59%
41%









Dose response experiments were performed on several of the more active oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 4 except that the concentration of oligonucleotide was varied as shown in Table 8. Mismatch control oligonucleotides were included. Results are shown in Table 8.
All antisense oligonucleotides tested showed a dose response effect with inhibition of mRNA approximately 60% or greater.







TABLE 8







Dose Response of COS-7 Cells to B7-1


Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Antisense Oligonucleotides













SEQ







ID
ASO Gene

% mRNA
% mRNA


ISIS #
NO:
Target
Dose
Expression
Inhibition





basal
—
—
—
100% 
—













22316
 26
5′-UTR
10
nM
99%
 1%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
73%
27%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
58%
42%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
33%
67%


24735
154
control
10
nM
100% 
—


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
95%
 5%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
81%
19%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
75%
25%


22335
146
3′-UTR
10
nM
81%
19%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
63%
37%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
43%
57%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
35%
65%


24734
153
control
10
nM
94%
 6%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
96%
 4%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
94%
 6%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
84%
16%


22338
 36
3′-UTR
10
nM
68%
32%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
60%
40%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
53%
47%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
41%
59%


24733
152
control
10
nM
90%
10%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
91%
 9%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
90%
10%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
80%
20%









Example 13
Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Mouse B7-1 Antisense Oligonucleotides
Additional oligonucleotides targeting mouse B7-1 were synthesized. Oligonucleotides were synthesized as uniformly phosphorothioate chimeric oligonucleotides having regions of five 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides at the wings and a central region of ten deoxynucleotides. Oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 9.
Oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 4. Results are shown in Table 10.
Oligonucleotides 18105 (SEQ ID NO: 156), 18106 (SEQ ID NO: 157), 18109 (SEQ ID NO: 160), 18110 (SEQ ID NO: 161), 18111 (SEQ ID NO: 162), 18112 (SEQ ID NO: 163), 18113 (SEQ ID NO: 164), 18114 (SEQ ID NO: 165), 18115 (SEQ ID NO: 166), 18117 (SEQ ID NO: 168), 18118 (SEQ ID NO: 169), 18119 (SEQ ID NO: 170), 18120 (SEQ ID NO: 171), 18122 (SEQ ID NO: 173), and 18123 (SEQ ID NO: 174) resulted in greater than approximately 50% inhibition of B7-1 mRNA in this assay.







TABLE 9







Nucleotide Sequences of Mouse B7-1 Chimeric (deoxy gapped)


Oligodeoxynucleotides













SEQ
TARGET GENE
GENE


ISIS
NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE1
ID
NUCLEOTIDE
TARGET


NO.
(5′ −> 3′)
NO:
CO-ORDINATES2
REGION





18104
AGAGAAACTAGTAAGAGTCT
155
0018–0037
5′-UTR


18105
TGGCATCCACCCGGCAGATG
156
0110–0129
5′-UTR


18106
TCGAGAAACAGAGATGTAGA
157
0144–0163
5′-UTR


18107
TGGAGCTTAGGCACCTCCTA
158
0176–0195
5′-UTR


18108
TGGGGAAAGCCAGGAATCTA
159
0203–0222
5′-UTR


18109
CAGCACAAAGAGAAGAATGA
160
0310–0329
coding


18110
ATGAGGAGAGTTGTAACGGC
161
0409–0428
coding


18111
AAGTCCGGTTCTTATACTCG
162
0515–0534
coding


18112
GCAGGTAATCCTTTTAGTGT
163
0724–0743
coding


18113
GTGAAGTCCTCTGACACGTG
164
0927–0946
coding


18114
CGAATCCTGCCCCAAAGAGC
165
0995–1014
coding


18115
ACTGCGCCGAATCCTGCCCC
166
1002–1021
coding


18116
TTGATGATGACAACGATGAC
167
1035–1054
coding


18117
CTGTTGTTTGTTTCTCTGCT
168
1098–1117
coding


18118
TGTTCAGCTAATGCTTCTTC
169
1134–1153
coding


18119
GTTAACTCTATCTTGTGTCA
170
1263–1282
3′-UTR


18120
TCCACTTCAGTCATCAAGCA
171
1355–1374
3′-UTR


18121
TGCTCAATACTCTCTTTTTA
172
1680–1699
3′-UTR


18122
AGGCCCAGCAAACTTGCCCG
173
1330–1349
3′-UTR


18123
AACGGCAAGGCAGCAATACC
174
0395–0414
coding





1Emboldened residues are 2′-methoxyethoxy residues (others are 2′-deoxy-). All 2′-methoxyethyl cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages.


2Co-ordinates from Genbank Accession No. X60958, locus name “MMB7BLAA”.













TABLE 10







Inhibition of Mouse B7-1 mRNA Expression by Chimeric (deoxy


gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides













GENE




ISIS
SEQ ID
TARGET
% mRNA
% mRNA


No:
NO:
REGION
EXPRESSION
INHIBITION





basal
—
—
100.0% 
—


18104
155
5′-UTR
60.0%
40.0%


18105
156
5′-UTR
32.0%
68.0%


18106
157
5′-UTR
51.0%
49.0%


18107
158
5′-UTR
58.0%
42.0%


18108
159
5′-UTR
82.0%
18.0%


18109
160
coding
45.5%
54.5%


18110
161
coding
21.0%
79.0%


18111
162
coding
38.0%
62.0%


18112
163
coding
42.0%
58.0%


18113
164
coding
24.6%
75.4%


18114
165
coding
25.6%
74.4%


18115
166
coding
33.5%
66.5%


18116
167
coding
65.6%
34.4%


18117
168
coding
46.7%
53.3%


18118
169
coding
31.7%
68.3%


18119
170
3′-UTR
24.0%
76.0%


18120
171
3′-UTR
26.7%
73.3%


18121
172
3′-UTR
114.0% 
—


18122
173
3′-UTR
42.0%
58.0%


18123
174
coding
42.0%
58.0%









Example 14
Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Human B7-2 Antisense Oligonucleotides
Additional oligonucleotides targeting human B7-2 were synthesized. Oligonucleotides were synthesized as uniformly phosphorothioate chimeric oligonucleotides having regions of five 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides at the wings and a central region of ten deoxynucleotides. Oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 11.
Oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 4. Results are shown in Table 12.
Oligonucleotides 22284 (SEQ ID NO: 16), 22286 (SEQ ID NO: 176), 22287 (SEQ ID NO: 177), 22288 (SEQ ID NO: 178), 22289 (SEQ ID NO: 179), 22290 (SEQ ID NO: 180), 22291 (SEQ ID NO: 181), 22292 (SEQ ID NO: 182), 22293 (SEQ ID NO: 183), 22294 (SEQ ID NO: 184), 22296 (SEQ ID NO: 186), 22299 (SEQ ID NO: 189), 22300 (SEQ ID NO: 190), 22301 (SEQ ID NO: 191), 22302 (SEQ ID NO: 192), 22303 (SEQ ID NO: 193), 22304 (SEQ ID NO: 194), 22306 (SEQ ID NO: 196), 22307 (SEQ ID NO: 197), 22308 (SEQ ID NO: 198), 22309 (SEQ ID NO: 199), 22310 (SEQ ID NO: 200), and 22311 (SEQ ID NO: 201) resulted in greater than 50% inhibition of B7-2 mRNA in this assay.







TABLE 11







Nucleotide Sequences of Human B7-2 Chimeric (deoxy gapped)


Oligodeoxynucleotides













SEQ
TARGET GENE
GENE


ISIS
NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE1
ID
NUCLEOTIDE
TARGET


NO.
(5′ −> 3′)
NO:
CO-ORDINATES2
REGION














22284
TGCGAGCTCCCCGTACCTCC
16
0011–0030
5′-UTR


22285
CAGAAGCAAGGTGGTAAGAA
175
0049–0068
5′-UTR


22286
GCCTGTCCACTGTAGCTCCA
176
0113–0132
5′-UTR


22287
AGAATGTTACTCAGTCCCAT
177
0148–0167
AUG


22288
TCAGAGGAGCAGCACCAGAG
178
0189–0208
coding


22289
TGGCATGGCAGGTCTGCAGT
179
0232–0251
coding


22290
AGCTCACTCAGGCTTTGGTT
180
0268–0287
coding


22291
TGCCTAAGTATACCTCATTC
181
0324–0343
coding


22292
CTGTCAAATTTCTCTTTGCC
182
0340–0359
coding


22293
CATATACTTGGAATGAACAC
183
0359–0378
coding


22294
GGTCCAACTGTCCGAATCAA
184
0392–0411
coding


22295
TGATCTGAAGATTGTGAAGT
185
0417–0436
coding


22296
AAGCCCTTGTCCTTGATCTG
186
0430–0449
coding


22297
TGTGATGGATGATACATTGA
187
0453–0472
coding


22298
TCAGGTTGACTGAAGTTAGC
188
0529–0548
coding


22299
GTGTATAGATGAGCAGGTCA
189
0593–0612
coding


22300
TCTGTGACATTATCTTGAGA
190
0694–0713
coding


22301
AAGATAAAAGCCGCGTCTTG
191
0798–0817
coding


22302
AGAAAACCATCACACATATA
192
0900–0919
coding


22303
AGAGTTGCGAGGCCGCTTCT
193
0947–0968
coding


22304
TCCCTCTCCATTGTGTTGGT
194
0979–0998
coding


22305
CATCAGATCTTTCAGGTATA
195
1035–1054
coding


22306
GGCTTTACTCTTTAATTAAA
196
1115–1134
stop


22307
GAAATCAAAAAGGTTGCCCA
197
1178–1197
3′-UTR


22308
GGAGTCCTGGAGCCCCCTTA
198
1231–1250
3′-UTR


22309
TTGGCATACGGAGCAGAGCT
199
1281–1300
3′-UTR


22310
TGTGCTCTGAAGTGAAAAGA
200
1327–1346
3′-UTR


22311
GGCTTGGCCCATAAGTGTGC
201
1342–1361
3′-UTR


22312
CCTAAATTTTATTTCCAGGT
202
1379–1398
3′-UTR


24736
GCTCCAAGTGTCCCAATGAA
203
control


24737
AGTATGTTTCTCACTCCGAT
204
control


24738
TGCCAGCACCCGGTACGTCC
205
control





1Emboldened residues are 2′-methoxyethoxy residues (others are 2′-deoxy-). All 2′-methoxyethyl cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages.


2Co-ordinates from Genbank Accession No. U04343 locus name “HSU04343”.













TABLE 12







Inhibition of Human B7-2 mRNA Expression by Chimeric (deoxy


gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides













GENE




ISIS
SEQ ID
TARGET
% mRNA
% mRNA


No:
NO:
REGION
EXPRESSION
INHIBITION





basal
—
—
100% 
 0%


10373
 16
5′-UTR
24%
76%


22284
 16
5′-UTR
30%
70%


22285
175
5′-UTR
74%
26%


22286
176
5′-UTR
39%
61%


22287
177
AUG
27%
73%


22288
178
coding
38%
62%


22289
179
coding
41%
59%


22290
180
coding
42%
58%


22291
181
coding
41%
59%


22292
182
coding
39%
61%


22293
183
coding
43%
57%


22294
184
coding
21%
79%


22295
185
coding
66%
34%


22296
186
coding
42%
58%


22297
187
coding
54%
46%


22298
188
coding
53%
47%


22299
189
coding
46%
54%


22300
190
coding
39%
61%


22301
191
coding
51%
49%


22302
192
coding
41%
59%


22303
193
coding
46%
54%


22304
194
coding
41%
59%


22305
195
coding
57%
43%


22306
196
stop
44%
56%


22307
197
3′-UTR
45%
55%


22308
198
3′-UTR
40%
60%


22309
199
3′-UTR
42%
58%


22310
200
3′-UTR
41%
59%


22311
201
3′-UTR
49%
51%


22312
202
3′-UTR
83%
17%









Dose response experiments were performed on several of the more active oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 4 except that the concentration of oligonucleotide was varied as shown in Table 13. Mismatch control oligonucleotides were included. Results are shown in Table 13.
All antisense oligonucleotides tested showed a dose response effect with maximum inhibition of mRNA approximately 50% or greater.







TABLE 13







Dose Response of COS-7 Cells to B7-2


Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Antisense Oligonucleotides













SEQ ID
ASO Gene

% mRNA
% mRNA


ISIS #
NO:
Target
Dose
Expression
Inhibition





basal
—
—
—
100% 
—













22284
 16
5′-UTR
10
nM
92%
 8%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
72%
28%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
59%
41%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
48%
52%


24738
205
control
10
nM
81%
19%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
92%
 8%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
101% 
—


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
124% 
—


22287
177
AUG
10
nM
93%
 7%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
79%
21%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
66%
34%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
45%
55%


24737
204
control
10
nM
85%
15%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
95%
 5%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
87%
13%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
99%
 1%


22294
184
coding
10
nM
93%
 7%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
95%
 5%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
58%
42%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
45%
55%


24736
203
control
10
nM
102% 
—


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
101% 
—


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
100% 
—


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
107% 
—









Example 15
Chimeric (Deoxy Gapped) Mouse B7-2 Antisense Oligonucleotides
Additional oligonucleotides targeting mouse B7-2 were synthesized. Oligonucleotides were synthesized as uniformly phosphorothioate chimeric oligonucleotides having regions of five 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides at the wings and a central region of ten deoxynucleotides. Oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 14.
Oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 4. Results are shown in Table 15.
Oligonucleotides 18084 (SEQ ID NO: 206), 18085 (SEQ ID NO: 207), 18086 (SEQ ID NO: 208), 18087 (SEQ ID NO: 209), 18089 (SEQ ID NO: 211), 18090 (SEQ ID NO: 212), 18091 (SEQ ID NO: 213), 18093 (SEQ ID NO: 215), 18095 (SEQ ID NO: 217), 18096 (SEQ ID NO: 218), 18097 (SEQ ID NO: 219), 18098 (SEQ ID NO: 108), 18102 (SEQ ID NO: 223), and 18103 (SEQ ID NO: 224) resulted in 50% or greater inhibition of B7-2 mRNA expression in this assay.







TABLE 14







Nucleotide Sequences of Mouse B7-2 Chimeric (deoxy gapped)


Oligodeoxynucleotides













SEQ
TARGET GENE
GENE


ISIS
NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE1
ID
NUCLEOTIDE
TARGET


NO.
(5′  −> 3′)
NO:
CO-ORDINATES2
REGION





18084
GCTGCCTACAGGAGCCACTC
206
0003–0022
5′-UTR


18085
TCAAGTCCGTGCTGCCTACA
207
0013–0032
5′-UTR


18086
GTCTACAGGAGTCTGGTTGT
208
0033–0052
5′-UTR


18087
AGCTTGCGTCTCCACGGAAA
209
0152–0171
coding


18088
TCACACTATCAAGTTTCTCT
210
0297–0316
coding


18089
GTCAAAGCTCGTGCGGCCCA
211
0329–0348
coding


18090
GTGAAGTCGTAGAGTCCAGT
212
0356–0375
coding


18091
GTGACCTTGCTTAGACGTGC
213
0551–0570
coding


18092
CATCTTCTTAGGTTTCGGGT
214
0569–0588
coding


18093
GGCTGTTGGAGATACTGAAC
215
0663–0682
coding


18094
GGGAATGAAAGAGAGAGGCT
216
0679–0698
coding


18095
ACATACAATGATGAGCAGCA
217
0854–0873
coding


18096
GTCTCTCTGTCAGCGTTACT
218
0934–0953
coding


18097
TGCCAAGCCCATGGTGCATC
219
0092–0111
AUG


18098
GGATTGCCAAGCCCATGGTG
108
0096–0115
AUG


18099
GCAATTTGGGGTTCAAGTTC
220
0967–0986
coding


18100
CAATCAGCTGAGAACATTTT
221
1087–1106
3′-UTR


18101
TTTTGTATAAAACAATCATA
222
0403–0422
coding


18102
CCTTCACTCTGCATTTGGTT
223
0995–1014
stop


18103
TGCATGTTATCACCATACTC
224
0616–0635
coding





1Emboldened residues are 2′-methoxyethoxy residues (others are 2′-deoxy-). All 2′-methoxyethyl cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages.


2Co-ordinates from Genbank Accession No. S70108 locus name “S70108”.













TABLE 15







Inhibition of Mouse B7-2 mRNA Expression by Chimeric (deoxy


gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides












SEQ
GENE




ISIS
ID
TARGET
% mRNA
% mRNA


No:
NO:
REGION
EXPRESSION
INHIBITION





basal
—
—
100.0% 
 0.0%


18084
206
5′-UTR
36.4%
63.6%


18085
207
5′-UTR
35.0%
65.0%


18086
208
5′-UTR
40.1%
59.9%


18087
209
coding
42.1%
57.9%


18088
210
coding
52.3%
47.7%


18089
211
coding
20.9%
79.1%


18090
212
coding
36.6%
63.4%


18091
213
coding
37.1%
62.9%


18092
214
coding
58.9%
41.1%


18093
215
coding
32.7%
67.3%


18094
216
coding
63.8%
36.2%


18095
217
coding
34.3%
65.7%


18096
218
coding
32.3%
67.7%


18097
219
AUG
24.5%
75.5%


18098
108
AUG
32.2%
67.8%


18099
220
coding
66.8%
33.2%


18100
221
3′-UTR
67.2%
32.8%


18101
222
coding
88.9%
11.1%


18102
223
stop
33.8%
66.2%


18103
224
coding
30.2%
69.8%









Example 16
Effect of B7 Antisense Oligonucleotides on Cell Surface Expression
B7 antisense oligonucleotides were tested for their effect on cell surface expression of both B7-1 and B7-2. Cell surf ace expression was measured as described in Example 2. Experiments were done for both human B7 and mouse B7. Results f or human B7 are shown in Table 16. Results for mouse B7 are shown in Table 17.
In both species, B7-1 antisense oligonucleotides were able to specifically reduce the cell surface expression of B7-1. B7-2 antisense oligonucleotides were specific for the B7-2 family member. These oligonucleotides were also specific for their effect on B7-1 and B7-2 mRNA levels.







TABLE 16







Inhibition of Human B7 Cell Surface Expression by Chimeric


(deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides












SEQ





ISIS
ID
GENE
% B7-1
% B7-2


No:
NO:
TARGET
EXPRESSION
EXPRESSION





basal
—
—
100% 
 0%


22316
 26
B7-1
31%
100% 


22317
129
B7-1
28%
91%


22320
132
B7-1
37%
86%


22324
135
B7-1
37%
91%


22325
136
B7-1
32%
89%


22334
145
B7-1
28%
92%


22335
146
B7-1
23%
95%


22337
148
B7-1
48%
101% 


22338
 36
B7-1
22%
96%


22284
 16
B7-2
88%
32%


22287
177
B7-2
92%
35%


22294
184
B7-2
77%
28%
















TABLE 17







Inhibition of Mouse B7 Cell Surface Expression by Chimeric


(deoxy gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides












SEQ
GENE




ISIS
ID
TARGET
% B7-1
% B7-2


No:
NO:
REGION
EXPRESSION
EXPRESSION





basal
—
—
100% 
 0%


18089
211
B7-2
85%
36%


18097
219
B7-2
87%
28%


18110
161
B7-1
31%
93%


18113
164
B7-1
25%
91%


18119
170
B7-1
27%
98%









Dose response experiments were performed on several of the more active human B7-1 antisense oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 2 except that the concentration of oligonucleotide was varied as shown in Table 18. Results are shown in Table 18.
All antisense oligonucleotides tested showed a dose response effect with inhibition of cell surface expression approximately 60% or greater.







TABLE 18







Dose Response of COS-7 Cells to B7-1


Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Antisense Oligonucleotides













SEQ







ID
ASO Gene

% Surface
% Surface


ISIS #
NO:
Target
Dose
Expression
Inhibition





basal
—
—
—
100% 
—













22316
26
5′-UTR
10
nM
74%
26%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
74%
26%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
47%
53%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
34%
66%


22335
146 
3′-UTR
10
nM
81%
19%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
69%
31%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
47%
53%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
38%
62%


22338
36
3′-UTR
10
nM
78%
22%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
65%
35%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
50%
50%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
40%
60%









Dose response experiments were performed on several of the more active human B7-2 antisense oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotides were screened as described in Example 2 except that the concentration of oligonucleotide was varied as shown in Table 19. Results are shown in Table 19.
All antisense oligonucleotides tested showed a dose response effect with maximum inhibition of cell surface expression 85% or greater.







TABLE 19







Dose Response of COS-7 Cells to B7-2


Chimeric (deoxy gapped) Antisense Oligonucleotides













SEQ







ID
ASO Gene

% Surface
% Surface


ISIS #
NO:
Target
Dose
Expression
Inhibition





basal
—
—
—
100% 
—













22284
 16
5′-UTR
10
nM
63%
37%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
60%
40%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
37%
63%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
15%
85%


22287
177
AUG
10
nM
93%
 7%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
60%
40%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
32%
68%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
15%
85%


22294
184
coding
10
nM
89%
11%


′′
′′
′′
30
nM
62%
38%


′′
′′
′′
100
nM
29%
71%


′′
′′
′′
300
nM
12%
88%









Example 17
Effect of B7-1 Antisense Oligonucleotides in a Murine Model for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was used as a murine model for arthritis (Mussener, A., et al., Clin. Exp. Immunol., 1997, 107, 485–493). Female DBA/1LacJ mice (Jackson Laboratories, Bar Harbor, Me.) between the ages of 6 and 8 weeks were used to assess the activity of B7-1 antisense oligonucleotides.
On day 0, the mice were immunized at the base of the tail with 100 μg of bovine type II collagen which is emulsified in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CPA). On day 7, a second booster dose of collagen was administered by the same route. On day 14, the mice were injected subcutaneously with 100 μg of LPS. Oligonucleotide was administered intraperitoneally daily (10 mg/kg bolus) starting on day −3 (three days before day 0) and continuing for the duration of the study. Oligonucleotide 17456 (SEQ ID NO. 173) is a fully phosphorothioated analog of 18122.
Weights were recorded weekly. Mice were inspected daily for the onset of CIA. Paw widths are rear ankle widths of affected and unaffected joints were measured three times a week using a constant tension caliper. Limbs were clinically evaluated and graded on a scale from 0–4 (with 4 being the highest).
Results are shown in Table 20. Treatment with B7-1 and B7-2 antisense oligonucleotides was able to reduce the incidence of the disease, but had modest effects on severity. The combination of 17456 (SEQ ID NO. 173) and 11696 (SEQ ID NO. 108) was able to significantly reduce the incidence of the disease and its severity.







TABLE 20







Effect of B7 antisense oligonucleotide on CIA













SEQ

%





ID
Dose
Inci-


ISIS # (s)
NO
mg/kg
dence
Peak day1
Severity2





control

—
70%
6.7 ± 2.9
3.2 ± 1.1


17456 (B7-1)
173
10
50%
12.1 ± 4.6 
2.7 ± 1.3


11696 (B7-2)
108
10
  37.5%
11.6 ± 4.5 
3.4 ± 1.8


17456/11696

10
30%
1.0 ± 0.6
0.7 ± 0.4


18110 (B7-1)
161
10
  55.6%
2.0 ± 0.8
2.0 ± 1.3


18089 (B7-2)
211
10
  44.4%
6.8 ± 2.2
2.3 ± 1.3


18110/18089

10
60%
11.6 ± 0.7 
4.5 ± 1.7





1Peak day is the day from onset of maximum swelling for each joint measure.


2Severity is the total clinical score divided by the total number of mice in the group.






Example 18
Effect of B7-1 Antisense Oligonucleotides in a Murine Model for Multiple Sclerosis
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a commonly accepted murine model for multiple sclerosis (Myers, K. J., et al., J. Neuroimmunol., 1992, 41, 1–8). SJL/H, PL/J, (SJLxPL/J)F1, (SJLxBalb/c)F1 and Balb/c female mice between the ages of 6 and 12 weeks are used to test the activity of a B7-1 antisense oligonucleotide.
The mice are immunized in the two rear foot pads and base of the tail with an emulsion consisting of encephalitogenic protein or peptide (according to Myers, K. J., et al., J. of Immunol., 1993, 151, 2252–2260) in Complete Freund's Adjuvant supplemented with heat killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Two days later, the mice receive an intravenous injection of 500 ng Bordatella pertussis toxin and additional adjuvant.
Alternatively, the disease may also be induced by the adoptive transfer of T-cells. T-cells are obtained from the draining of the lymph nodes of mice immunized with encephalitogenic protein or peptide in CFA. The T cells are grown in tissue culture for several days and then injected intravenously into naive syngeneic recipients.
Mice are monitored and scored daily on a 0–5 scale for signals of the disease, including loss of tail muscle tone, wobbly gait, and various degrees of paralysis.
Oligonucleotide 17456 (SEQ ID NO. 173), a fully phosphorothioated analog of 18122, was compared to a saline control and a fully phosphorothioated oligonucleotide of random sequence (Oligonucleotide 17460). Results of this experiment are shown in FIG. 11.
As shown in FIG. 11, for all doses of oligonucleotide 17456 tested, there is a protective effect, i.e. a reduction of disease severity. At 0.2 mg/kg, this protective effect is greatly reduced after day 20, but at the higher doses tested, the protective effect remains throughout the course of the experiment (day 40). The control oligonucleotide gave results similar to that obtained with the saline control.
Example 19
Additional Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeted to Human B7-1
Additional oligonucleotides targeting human B7-1 were synthesized. Oligonucleotides were synthesized as uniformly phosphorothioate chimeric oligonucleotides having regions of five 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides at the wings and a central region of ten deoxynucleotides. Oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 21.
The human promonocytic leukaemia cell line, THP-1 (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.) was maintained in RPMI 1640 growth media supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS; Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). A total of 1×107 cells were electroporated at an oligonucleotide concentration of 10 micromolar in 2 mm cuvettes, using an Electrocell Manipulator 600 instrument (Biotechnologies and Experimental Research, Inc.) employing 200 V, 1000 μF. Electroporated cells were then transferred to petri dishes and allowed to recover for 16 hrs. Cells were then induced with LPS at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml for 16 hours. RNA was isolated and processed as described in previous examples. Results are shown in Table 22.
Oligonucleotides 113492, 113495, 113498, 113499, 113501, 113502, 113504, 113505, 113507, 113510, 113511, 113513 and 113514 (SEQ ID NO: 228, 231, 234, 235, 237, 238, 240, 241, 243, 247, 248, 250 and 251) resulted in 50% or greater inhibition of B7-1 mRNA expression in this assay.







TABLE 21







Nucleotide Sequences of Human B7-1 Chimeric (deoxy gapped)


Oligodeoxynucleotides














TARGET GENE





SEQ
NUCLEOTIDE
GENE


ISIS
NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE1
ID
CO-
TARGET


NO.
(5′  −> 3′)
NO.
ORDINATES2
REGION














113489
CCCTCCAGTGATGTTTACAA
225
179
5′ UTR


113490
GAAGACCCTCCAGTGATGTT
226
184
5′ UTR


113491
CGTAGAAGACCCTCCAGTGA
227
188
5′ UTR


113492
TTCCCAGGTGCAAAACAGGC
228
234
5′ UTR


113493
TGGCTTCAGATGCTTAGGGT
229
299
5′ UTR


113494
CCTCCGTGTGTGGCCCATGG
230
316
AUG


113495
GGTGATGTTCCCTGCCTCCG
231
330
Coding


113496
GATGGTGATGTTCCCTGCCT
232
333
Coding


113497
AGGTATGGACACTTGGATGG
233
348
Coding


113498
GAAAGACCAGCCAGCACCAA
234
384
Coding


113499
CAGCGTTGCCACTTCTTTCA
235
442
Coding


113500
GTGACCACAGGACAGCGTTG
236
454
Coding


113501
AGATGCGAGTTTGTGCCAGC
237
491
Coding


113502
CCTTTTGCCAGTAGATGCGA
238
503
Coding


113503
CGGTTCTTGTACTCGGGCCA
239
567
Coding


113504
CGCAGAGCCAGGATCACAAT
240
618
Coding


113505
CTTCAGCCAGGTGTTCCCGC
241
698
Coding


113506
TAACGTCACTTCAGCCAGGT
242
706
Coding


113507
TTCTCCATTTTCCAACCAGG
243
838
Coding


113508
CTGTTGTGTTGATGGCATTT
245
863
Coding


113509
CATGAAGCTGTGGTTGGTTG
246
943
Coding


113510
AGGAAAATGCTCTTGCTTGG
247
1018
Coding


113511
TGGGAGCAGGTTATCAGGAA
248
1033
Coding


113512
TAAGGTAATGGCCCAGGATG
249
1051
Coding


113513
GGTCAGGCAGCATATCACAA
250
1090
Coding


113514
GCCCCTTGCTTCTGCGGACA
251
1188
3′ UTR


113515
AGATCTTTTCAGCCCCTTGC
252
1199
3′ UTR


113516
TTTGTTAAGGGAAGAATGCC
253
1271
3′ UTR


113517
AAAGGAGAGGGATGCCAGCC
254
1362
3′ UTR


113518
CAAGACAATTCAAGATGGCA
255
1436
3′ UTR





1Emboldened residues are 2′-methoxyethoxy residues (others are 2′-deoxy-). All 2′-methoxyethyl cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages.


2Co-ordinates from Genbank Accession No. M27533 to which the oligonucleotides are targeted.













TABLE 22







Inhibition of Human B7-1 mRNA Expression by Chimeric (deoxy


gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides













GENE




ISIS
SEQ ID
TARGET
% mRNA
% mRNA


No:
NO:
REGION
EXPRESSION
INHIBITION














113489
225
5′ UTR
122
—


113490
226
5′ UTR
183
—


113491
227
5′ UTR
179
—


113492
228
5′ UTR
27
73


113493
229
5′ UTR
488
—


113494
230
AUG
77
23


113495
231
Coding
43
57


113496
232
Coding
71
29


113497
233
Coding
78
22


113498
234
Coding
37
63


113499
235
Coding
25
75


113500
236
Coding
83
17


113501
237
Coding
36
64


113502
238
Coding
26
74


113503
239
Coding
65
35


113504
240
coding
46
54


113505
241
Coding
40
60


113506
242
Coding
105
—


113507
243
Coding
36
64


113508
245
Coding
117
—


113509
246
Coding
62
38


113510
247
Coding
43
57


113511
248
Coding
48
52


113512
249
Coding
73
27


113513
250
Coding
48
52


113514
251
3′ UTR
35
65


113515
252
3′ UTR
184
—


113516
253
3′ UTR
83
17


113517
254
3′ UTR
201
—


113518
255
3′ UTR
97
03









Example 20
Additional Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeted to Human B7-2
Additional oligonucleotides targeting human B7-2 were synthesized. Oligonucleotides were synthesized as uniformly phosphorothioate chimeric oligonucleotides having regions of five 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides at the wings and a central region of ten deoxynucleotides. Oligonucleotide sequences are shown in Table 23.
The human promonocytic leukaemia cell line, THP-1 (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.) was maintained in RPMI 1640 growth media supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS; Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.). A total of 1×107 cells were electroporated at an oligonucleotide concentration of 10 micromolar in 2 mm cuvettes, using an Electrocell Manipulator 600 instrument (Biotechnologies and Experimental Research, Inc.) employing 200 V, 1000 μF. Electroporated cells were then transferred to petri dishes and allowed to recover for 16 hrs Cells were then induced with LPS and dibutyryl cAMP (500 μM) for 16 hours. RNA was isolated and processed as described in previous examples. Results are shown in Table 24.
Oligonucleotides ISIS 113131, 113132, 113134, 113138, 113142, 113144, 113145, 113146, 113147, 113148, 113149, 113150, 113153, 113155, 113157, 113158, 113159 and 113160 (SEQ ID NO: 256, 257, 259, 263, 267, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 278, 280, 282, 283, 284 and 285) resulted in 50% or greater inhibition of B7-2 mRNA expression in this assay.







TABLE 23







Nucleotide Sequences of Human B7-2 Chimeric (deoxy gapped)


Oligodeoxynucleotides














TARGET






GENE




SEQ
NUCLEOTIDE
GENE


ISIS
NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE1
ID
CO-
TARGET


NO.
(5′  −> 3′)
NO:
ORDINATES2
REGION














113131
CGTGTGTCTGTGCTAGTCCC
256
38
5′ UTR


113132
GCTGCTTCTGCTGTGACCTA
257
83
5′ UTR


113133
TATTTGCGAGCTCCCCGTAC
258
15
5′ UTR


113134
GCATAAGCACAGCAGCATTC
259
79
5′ UTR


113135
TCCAAAAAGAGACCAGATGC
260
97
5′ UTR


113136
AAATGCCTGTCCACTGTAGC
261
117
5′ UTR


113137
CTTCAGAGGAGCAGCACCAG
262
191
Coding


113138
GAATCTTCAGAGGAGCAGCA
263
195
Coding


113139
CAAATTGGCATGGCAGGTCT
264
237
Coding


113140
GCTTTGGTTTTGAGAGTTTG
265
257
Coding


113141
AGGCTTTGGTTTTGAGAGTT
266
259
Coding


113142
GCTCACTCAGGCTTTGGTTT
267
267
Coding


113143
GGTCCTGCCAAAATACTACT
268
288
Coding


113144
AGCCCTTGTCCTTGATCTGA
269
429
Coding


113145
TGTGGGCTTTTTGTGATGGA
270
464
Coding


113146
AATCATTCCTGTGGGCTTTT
271
473
Coding


113147
CCGTGTATAGATGAGCAGGT
272
595
Coding


113148
ACCGTGTATAGATGAGCAGG
273
596
Coding


113149
TCATCTTCTTAGGTTCTGGG
274
618
Coding


113150
ACAAGCTGATGGAAACGTCG
275
720
Coding


113151
TGCTCGTAACATCAGGGAAT
276
747
Coding


113152
AAGATGGTCATATTGCTCGT
277
760
Coding


113153
CGCGTCTTGTCAGTTTCCAG
278
787
Coding


113154
CAGCTGTAATCCAAGGAATG
279
864
Coding


113155
GGGCTTCATCAGATCTTTCA
280
1041
Coding


113156
CATGTATCACTTTTGTCGCA
281
1093
Coding


113157
AGCCCCCTTATTACTCATGG
282
1221
3′ UTR


113158
GGAGTTACAGGGAGGCTATT
283
1261
3′ UTR


113159
AGTCTCCTCTTGGCATACGG
284
1290
3′ UTR


113160
CCCATAAGTGTGCTCTGAAG
285
1335
3′ UTR





1Emboldened residues are 2′-methoxyethoxy residues (others are 2′-deoxy-). All 2′-methoxyethyl cytosines and 2′-deoxy cytosines residues are 5-methyl-cytosines; all linkages are phosphorothioate linkages.


2For ISIS# 113131 and 113132, co-ordinates are from Genbank Accession No. L25259, locus name “HUMB72A”. For remaining oligonucleotides, co-ordinates are from Genbank Accession No. U04343, locus name “HSU04343”.













TABLE 24







Inhibition of Human B7-2 mRNA Expression by Chimeric (deoxy


gapped) Phosphorothioate Oligodeoxynucleotides













GENE




ISIS
SEQ ID
TARGET
% mRNA
% mRNA


No:
NO:
REGION
EXPRESSION
INHIBITION














113131
256
5′ UTR
13
87


113132
257
5′ UTR
17
83


113133
258
5′ UTR
214
—


113134
259
5′ UTR
27
73


113135
260
5′ UTR
66
34


113136
261
5′ UTR
81
19


113137
262
Coding
57
43


113138
263
Coding
12
88


113140
265
Coding
214
—


113141
266
Coding
126
—


113142
267
Coding
35
65


113143
268
Coding
118
—


113144
269
Coding
41
59


113145
270
Coding
46
54


113146
271
Coding
32
68


113147
272
Coding
35
65


113148
273
Coding
23
77


113149
274
Coding
29
71


113150
275
Coding
19
81


113151
276
Coding
208
—


113152
277
Coding
89
11


113153
278
Coding
19
81


113154
279
Coding
63
37


113155
280
Coding
13
87


113156
281
Coding
83
17


113157
282
3′ UTR
13
87


113158
283
3′ UTR
20
80


113159
284
3′ UTR
43
57


113160
285
3′ UTR
09
91









Example 21
Human Skin Psoriasis Model
Animal models of psoriasis based on xenotransplantation of human skin from psoriatic patients are advantageous because they involve the direct study of affected human tissue. Psoriasis is solely a disease of the skin and consequently, engraftment of human psoriatic skin onto SCID mice allows psoriasis to be created with a high degree of fidelity in mice. One such model is that of Dam et al., J. Invest. Dermatol., 1999, 113, 1082–1089. Briefly, keratome biopsies containing both dermis and epidermis are obtained from either clinically symptomless skin of psoriatic patients, or from psoriatic plaques. The keratomes are transferred to Earle's balanced Salt Solution (GIBCO, Grand Island, N.Y.) supplemented with 400 U pennicilin/ml, 400 ug streptomycin/ml, and 4 mg gentamicin/ml, and stored at 4° C. Immediately before orthotopic transplantation onto the flank of 6–8 week old anesthetized C.B-17 SCID mice (Taconic Farms, Germantown, N.Y.), human skin xenografts (1.7×2.2×0.05 cm) are cut from the keratomes, and the grafts are secured to each SCID mouse with absorbable sutures and covered with dressings for 1 wk. Animals are randomized into treatment groups and test compound (in this case the human B7-1 oligonucleotide ISIS 113492 or the human B7-2 oligonucleotide ISIS 113131, or a combination of both oligonucleotides) is injected intradermally into the xenografts using a 30 G needle. Within 3–4 weeks the animals are sacrificed and 4 mm punch biopsies are taken from each xenograft. Biopsies are fixed in formalin for paraffin embedding and/or transferred to cryotubes and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80° C.

## Claims

1. An antisense compound 20 to 30 nucleobases in length targeted to a nucleic acid molecule encoding human B7, said compound comprising SEQ ID NO: 256.

2. The antisense compound of claim 1 which is an antisense oligonucleotide.

3. The antisense compound of claim 2 which is modified.

4. The antisense compound of claim 2 which comprises at least one modified internucleoside linkage.

5. The antisense compound of claim 4 wherein the modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.

6. The antisense compound of claim 5 wherein every internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.

7. The antisense compound of claim 2 which comprises at least one modified sugar moiety.

8. The antisense compound of claim 7 wherein the modified sugar moiety is a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar moiety.

9. The antisense compound of claim 2 which comprises at least one modified nucleobase.

10. The antisense compound of claim 9 wherein the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.

11. The antisense compound of claim 9 wherein nucleobases 1–5 and 16–20 comprise a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification.

12. The antisense compound of claim 9, wherein each cytidine residue comprises a 5-methyl modification.

13. The antisense compound of claim 1, that is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

14. The antisense compound of claim 13 that is a sodium salt.

15. A composition comprising the antisense compound of claim 1 in combination with a carrier or diluent.

16. The composition of claim 15 further comprising a colloidal dispersion system.

17. The composition of claim 15 further comprising an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive agent.

18. A composition comprising an antisense compound consisting of SEQ ID NO: 256.

19. The composition of claim 18, wherein every internucleoside linkage of the antisense compound is a phosphorothioate linkage.

20. The composition of claim 18, wherein each cytidine residue of the antisense compound comprises a 5-methyl modification.

21. The composition of claim 18, wherein the antisense compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

22. The composition of claim 21 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a sodium salt.

23. The composition of claim 18 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

24. The composition of claim 21 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

25. A composition comprising an antisense compound comprising SEQ ID NO: 256, wherein every internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage, and nucleobases 1–5 and 16–20 comprise a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification.

26. The composition of claim 25, wherein each cytidine residue of the antisense compound comprises a 5-methyl modification.

27. The composition of claim 26, wherein the antisense compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a sodium salt.

29. The composition of claim 25, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

30. A composition comprising an antisense compound consisting of SEQ ID NO: 256, wherein every internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage, and nucleobases 1–5 and 16–20 comprise a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification.

31. The composition of claim 30, wherein each cytidine residue of the antisense compound comprises a 5-methyl modification.

32. The composition of claim 31, wherein the antisense compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

33. The composition of claim 32, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a sodium salt.

34. The composition of claim 30, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

35. The composition of claim 32, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

36. A composition comprising an antisense compound consisting of SEQ ID NO: 256, wherein every internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage, nucleobases 14 and 15–18 comprise a 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification, and cytidine residues at positions 5 and 10 comprise a 5-methyl modification.

37. The composition of claim 36, wherein the compound is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

38. The composition of claim 37, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a sodium salt.

39. The composition of claim 36, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

40. The composition of claim 37, further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.