Nuclear factor κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides prevent endotoxin-induced fatal liver failure in a murine model

Endotoxin syndrome is a systemic inflammatory response mediated by inflammatory cytokines. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is the dominant regulator of the production of these cytokines by inflammatory cells. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of in vivo transfer of synthetic double-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) with high affinity against NF-kappaB (NF-kappaB/decoy/ODN) as a therapeutic strategy for treating endotoxin-induced fatal liver injury. Liver injury was induced by administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to Propionibacterium acnes-primed BALB/C mice. NF-kappaB/decoy/ODN was transferred into the portal vein using a fusigenic liposome with hemagglutinating virus of Japan. NF-kappaB/decoy/ODN was preferentially transferred to Kupffer cells, and activation of NF-kappaB after the LPS challenge was suppressed, leading to decreased inflammatory cytokine production. As a result, the massive necrosis and hepatocyte apoptosis observed in the control mice was dramatically attenuated and the survival rate improved. In conclusion, NF-kappaB/decoy/ODN transfer in vivo effectively suppressed endotoxin-induced fatal liver injury in mice.