NZ732101B2 - Microrna compounds and methods for modulating mir-122 - Google Patents

Abstract

compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of less than 16 linked nucleosides, wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide comprises a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to nucleobases 2 to 9 of miR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1), and wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least 8 contiguous nucleosides of SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises 5-methylcytosine, β-D-deoxyribonucleosides, 2’-MOE nucleosides, and/or S-cEt nucleosides; and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage. Also disclosed is the use of said compound in the treatment of Hepatitis C. ide comprises at least 8 contiguous nucleosides of SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises 5-methylcytosine, β-D-deoxyribonucleosides, 2’-MOE nucleosides, and/or S-cEt nucleosides; and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage. Also disclosed is the use of said compound in the treatment of Hepatitis C.

Description

MICRORNA COMPOUNDS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING MIR-122 FIELD OF INVENTION Provided herein are compounds and methods for use in modulating the activity ofmiR- 122. Such methods comprise ent of diseases related to miR-122 activity, such HCV infection.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART MicroRNAs (microRNAs), also known as “mature microRNA” are small (approximately 18-24 nucleotides in length), ding RNA molecules encoded in the genomes of plants and animals. In certain instances, highly conserved, endogenously expressed microRNAs regulate the expression of genes by binding to the 3'—untranslated regions (3'-UTR) of c mRNAs. More than 1000 different microRNAs have been identified in plants and animals. Certain mature microRNAs appear to originate from long endogenous primary microRNA transcripts (also known as pri-microRNAs, pri-mirs, pri-miRs or pri-pre-microRNAs) that are often hundreds of nucleotides in length (Lee, et al., EMBO J., 2002, 21(17), 670). miR-122, a microRNA abundantly and specifically expressed in the liver, is a critical host factor for hepatitis C virus accumulation (Jopling et al., Science. 2005, 309(5740), 1577-81). miR-122 interacts with HCV by binding to two closely spaced seed sequence sites in the 5’ non-coding region of the HCV genome, resulting in stabilization of the HCV genome, supporting ation and translation a et al., J Virol., 2010, 84: 6615-6625; Machlin, et al., 2011). Importantly, the miR-122 binding sites are completely conserved in the HCV genome across all genotypes and subtypes (Wilson et al., J. Virol., 2011, 85: 2342-2350). Inhibition ofmiR-122 with anti-miR s in reduced total circulating cholesterol levels in mice and cynomolgus monkey, as well as changes in the expression of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis, fatty acid, and lipid metabolism (Esau et al., 2006, Cell Metabolism, 3: 87-98).

In chronically HCV-infected chimpanzees, weekly intravenous administration of anti-miR to asting and reversible suppression ofHCV RNA levels and reduced total serum cholesterol (Lanford et al., 2010, Science, 327: 198-201). In c treatment na'ive HCV ed ts, iR-122 treatment led to a ion in serum HCV RNA, thus demonstrating clinical of-concept. tis C (HCV) is a hepatotropic RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family and, addition to g HCV infection, is a major cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The current standard-of—care treatment, pegylated eron in combination with ribavirin, is poorly tolerated by many patients and can have a response rate as low as 50% in some patients. Several direct acting anti- viral NS3 protease inhibitors are currently approved for use in HCV-infected patients, however the emergence of resistance mutations in HCV requires treatment with additional agents. Developing therapies include NS3/4A protease inhibitors, NSSA protein inhibitors, nucleoside/tide NSSB polymerase inhibitors and non-nucleoside NSSB inhibitors. However, there remains a need for additional therapies to treat ed individuals who do not respond to current treatments, who relapse following successful treatment, or who have a low tolerability for one or more currently used drugs. Resistance to antiviral therapy is a major problem associated with a high mutation rate of HCV and is seen even with combinations of drugs working through multiple mechanisms. Accordingly, therapeutics that target conserved, on-resistant viral host factors, such as miR-122, represent an opportunity to effect higher and more e cure rates.

Y OF INVENTION Provided herein are compounds sing a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 16 to 22 linked nucleosides, wherein the nucleobase ce of the ed oligonucleotide is complementary to miR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least 16 contiguous nucleosides of the following nucleoside pattern I in the 5’ to 3’ orientation: (R)X-NQ-NQ-NB-NB-NQ-NB-NQ-NB-NQ-NB-NB-(NZ)Y wherein each R is, independently, a non-bicyclic nucleoside or a bicyclic nucleoside; X is from 4 to 10; each NB is, independently, a bicyclic nucleoside; each NQ is, independently, a non-bicyclic nucleoside; Y is O or 1; and NZ is a modified nucleoside or an unmodified nucleoside.

In n embodiments, a compound provided herein comprises a modified ucleotide comprising at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, or 22 contiguous sides of nucleoside pattern I.

In certain embodiments, each bicyclic nucleoside is independently selected from an LNA nucleoside, a cEt nucleoside, and an ENA nucleoside. In certain embodiments, at least two ic nucleosides are different from one another. In certain embodiments, all bicyclic nucleosides have the same sugar moiety as one another. In certain embodiments, each bicyclic nucleoside is a cEt nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, a cEt nucleoside is an S-cEt nucleoside. In certain embodiments, a cEt nucleoside is an R-cEt nucleoside. In n embodiments, each bicyclic side is an LNA nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, at least two non-bicyclic nucleosides comprise sugar moieties that are different from one another. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic side has the same type of sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside is independently selected from a B- D-deoxyribonucleoside, a B-D-ribonucleoside, 2’-O-methyl nucleoside, a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, and a 2’-fluoronucleoside. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside is independently selected from a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside, and a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic side is a 2’-MOE nucleoside. In certain embodiments, no more than two cyclic nucleosides are 2’-MOE nucleosides, wherein each other non-bicyclic nucleoside is a oxyribonucleoside. In n embodiments, the t and the 3’-most non-bicyclic nucleosides are 2’-MOE nucleosides and each other non-bicyclic nucleoside is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside. In n embodiments, two non- bicyclic nucleosides are 2’-MOE nucleosides and each other non-bicyclic nucleoside is a [5-D- deoxyribonucleoside.

In certain embodiments, each R is a 2’-MOE nucleoside. In certain embodiments, X is 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. In certain embodiments, Y is O. In certain embodiments, Y is 1.

In certain embodiments, X is 7, each R is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl side, each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside, each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside, and Y is O.

In certain embodiments, X is 4; (R)X is NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4, wherein each ofNR1 and N18 is a S-cEt nucleoside and each ofNR2 and NR4 is a oxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt side; each NQ is a oxyribonucleoside; Y is 1; and NZ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside.

In certain embodiments, X is 4; (R)X is Z-NR3-NR4, wherein each ofNR1 and NR4 is a S-cEt nucleoside and each ofNR2 and NR3 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; Y is 1; and NZ is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, X is 7; (R)X is NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7, wherein each of NR1, NR2, NR3, and NR4 and is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each of NRS and NR7 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside, and NR6 is S-cEt nucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In certain embodiments, X is 7; (R)X is NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7, wherein each of NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4’ and NRS is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, NR6 is S-cEt nucleoside, and NR7 is a [5-D- deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt side; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In certain embodiments, X is 7; (R)X is NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7, wherein each of NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4,NR5, and NR6 is 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, and NR7 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In certain embodiments, X is 10; (R)X is NR1-NR2-Nm-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7-NR8-NR9-NR10, wherein each of NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4, NR5, and NR6 is 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each of NR7 and NR9 is a an S- cEt nucleoside; each of NRg and NR10 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is 0.

In certain embodiments, X is 10; (R)X is NR1-NR2-NR3-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7-NR8-NR9-NR10, n each of NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4, NR5, and NR6 is 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each of NR7 and NR9 is a an S- cEt nucleoside; and each ofNRS and NR10 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; Y is 1 and NZ is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl side.

In certain embodiments, X is 4; (R)X is NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4, wherein each ofNRland NR4 is an S-cEt nucleoside, and each of NRI and N18 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a oxyribonucleoside; Y is 1 and NZ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside.

In certain embodiments, X is 4; (R)X is NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4, wherein NR1 is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each ofNR2 and NR4 is an S-cEt nucleoside, and N18 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt side; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; Y is 1 and NZ is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl side.

In n embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% complementary to the nucleobase ce ofmiR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

In certain embodiments, wherein at least one intemucleoside linkage is a modified intemucleoside linkage, or wherein each internucleoside linkage is a modified intemucleoside linkage, and, optionally, wherein the modified intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage.

In certain ments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is ed from SEQ ID NOs: 3 to 6, wherein each T is independently selected from T and U.

In certain embodiments, the modified ucleotide has 0, 1, 2, or 3 mismatches with respect to the nucleobase sequence of miR-122.

In certain embodiments a compound has the structure: AEMCCEAEMCCEMCCEAETETGUSCsACsACsTCsCs (SEQ ID NO: 4); CSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSA (SEQ ID NO: 3); MCCSCATSTGTSMCCSAMCCSAMCCSTMCCSMCCSAE (SEQ ID NO: 3); AEMCCEAEMCCECASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS (SEQ ID NO: 4); AEMCCEAEMCCEMCCEASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS (SEQ ID NO: 4); AEMCCEAEMCCEMCCEAETTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS (SEQ ID NO: 4); MCCEAEAEAEMCCEAECSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS (SEQ ID NO: 5); MCCEAEAEAEMCCEAECSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSTE (SEQ ID NO: 6); CSCAUSTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSA (SEQ ID NO: 3); or MCCECSAUSTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSAE (SEQ ID NO: 3); n the superscript “Me” indicates 5-methylcytosine; nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B- D-deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “E” are 2’-MOE nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides; and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

In some embodiments, a compound has the structure: USTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSAS; or CsAsCsAsCsUsCsCs wherein nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D-deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides; and each ucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside e. In some such embodiments, the compound is compound 38591, 38633, 38998, or 38634.

Any of the compounds provided herein may comprise a conjugate moiety linked to the 5’ terminus or the 3’ terminus of the d oligonucleotide. In n embodiments, the compound comprises a conjugate moiety linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a conjugate moiety linked to the 5’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a first conjugate moiety linked to the 3’ us of the modified oligonucleotide and a second conjugate moiety linked to the 5’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the conjugate moiety ses at least one ligand selected from a carbohydrate, cholesterol, a lipid, a phospholipid, an antibody, a lipoprotein, a hormone, a peptide, a Vitamin, a steroid, and a cationic lipid.

In n embodiments, a compound has the structure Ln-linker-MO, wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a compound has the ure Ln-linker-X-MO, wherein each L is, ndently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; X is a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a compound has the structure Ln-linker-Xl-Nm-Xz-MO, wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N is, independently, a modified or fied nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a odiester linkage or a orothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a nd has the structure Ln-linker-X-Nm-Y-MO, wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X is a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is a modified ucleotide.

In n embodiments, a compound has the structure Ln-linker-Y-Nm-Y-MO, wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; each Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, if n is greater than 1, Ln-linker has the structure: §L—Q’—§'S _Q”_ \ “in wherein each L is, independently, a ligand; n is from 1 to 10; S is a scaffold; and Q’ and Q” are, independently, linking groups.

In certain embodiments, Q’ and Q” are each independently selected from a e, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2- C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 , a tuted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), imidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid.

In certain embodiments, a scaffold links 2, 3, 4, or 5 ligands to a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a scaffold links 3 s to a modified oligonucleotide.

A nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(i): NR1Q'1L1 LZQ'ZRZN 0 NR303'L3 wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a g group; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a e, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and ohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each selected from H and methyl.

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(ii): OQ'1L1 OQ'2L2 "QR1 N OQ'3L3 wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1 is selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’l, Q’z, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene , an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), imidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1 is ed from H, methyl, ethyl, , isopropyl, and butyl. In some ments, R1 is H or methyl.

A further iting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(iii): NR1Q'1L1 NR 0' L2 2 2 NR3Q'3L3 IIQR4N wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’l, Q’z, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 l, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a tuted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a idine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), imidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each selected from H and methyl.

A further nonlimiting ary Structure E is Structure E(iV): L1Q'1R1N NR3Q" NRZQ'ZLZ wherein L1 and L2 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, ed from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’z, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 l, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, , ethyl, propyl, pyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and methyl.

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(V): L1 Q'1 R1 N NR2Q'2L2 o NR3Q" wherein L1 and L2 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’z, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and .

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(Vi): LQ’RN2 2 2 wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, and R3 are each, ndently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, ndently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene , an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 l, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, , ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and methyl.

A further nonlimiting ary Structure E is Structure E(Vii): NRZQ’ZLZ NR3Q’3L3 O\ /O O\ /O O\ /O\ L1Q1R1N, P P P Q,.

//\Z’ //\ZI //\ZI CH3 Z CH3 Z CH3 Z n L1, L2, and L3 are each, ndently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; R1, R2, and R3 are each, ndently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl; and Z and Z’ are each independently selected from O and S.

In some embodiments, Q’l, Q’z, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and methyl. In some embodiments, Z or Z’ on at least one P atom is S, and the other Z or Z’ is O (i.e., a phosphorothioate linkage). In some ments, each —OP(Z)(Z’)O- is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, Z and Z’ are both 0 on at least one P atom (i.e., a phosphodiester e). In some embodiments, each —OP(Z)(Z’)O- is a odiester linkage.

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(Viii): NRZQ'ZLZ "QR4N NQK VN/V NRBQ'BLB L1Q'1R1N wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a e, an ether, polyethylene , an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 l, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 l, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each selected from H and methyl.

Nonlimiting exemplary scaffolds and/or s comprising scaffolds, and synthesis thereof, are described, e.g., PCT Publication No.

No. 2012/0157509 A1; US. Patent No. 5,994,517; US. Patent No. 7,491,805 B2; US. Patent No. 8,313,772 B2; Manoharan, M., Chapter 16, Antisense Drug Technology, Crooke, S.T., Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2001, 391-469.

In certain embodiments, a compound has the structure: wherein: B is ed from —O-, -S-, -N(RN)-, —Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-, —Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-X-, and —Z- P(Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-Y-; MO is a modified oligonucleotide; RN is selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and benzyl; Z, Z’, and Z” are each independently selected from O and S; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside; m is from 1 to 5; X is ed from a phosphodiester linkage and a phosphorothioate linkage; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and the wavy line indicates the tion to the rest of the linker and ligand(s).

In certain embodiments, X is a phosphodiester linkage.

In certain embodiments, n is from 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or 1 to 2. In certain embodiments, n is 3.

In certain ments, at least one ligand is a carbohydrate.

In certain ments, at least one ligand is selected from mannose, glucose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, fructose, fucose, xylose, D-mannose, L-mannose, D-galactose, ctose, D-glucose, L- glucose, D-ribose, L-ribose, D-arabinose, L-arabinose, D-fructose, L-fructose, D-fucose, L-fucose, D- xylose, se, alpha-D-mannofuranose, beta-D-mannofuranose, alpha-D-mannopyranose, beta-D- mannopyranose, D-glucofuranose, Beta-D-glucofuranose, alpha-D-glucopyranose, - yranose, alpha-D-galactofuranose, beta-D-galactofuranose, alpha-D-galactopyranose, beta-D- galactopyranose, alpha-D-ribofuranose, beta-D-ribofuranose, alpha-D-ribopyranose, beta-D-ribopyranose, alpha-D-fructofiiranose, alpha-D-fructopyranose, glucosamine, galactosamine, sialic acid, N- acetylgalactosamine.

In certain embodiments, at least one ligand is selected from N—acetylgalactosamine, galactose, galactosamine, N—formylgalactosamine, N—propionyl-galactosamine, tanoylgalactosamine, and N- iso-butanoyl-galactosamine.

In certain embodiments, each ligand is N—acetylgalactosamine.

In certain embodiments, a compound has the structure: | H I \ V \ ”it ‘ “‘ O wherein each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a odiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a compound provided herein comprises a modified nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the modified oligonucleotide has the structure CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL (SEQ ID NO: 7), wherein the subscript “L” indicates an LNA and nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D-deoxyribonucleosides, and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate ucleoside linkage, and wherein the conjugate moiety is linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and has the structure: I H X; if“? :9 “n ‘ ‘ 0 V ‘ wherein each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, at least one of X1 and X2 is a odiester linkage. In certain embodiments, each of X1 and X2 is a phosphodiester linkage. In n embodiments, m is 1. In certain embodiments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5.

In certain embodiments, Nm is N’pN”, wherein each N’ is, independently, a modifid or fied nucleoside and p is from O to 4; and N” is a nucleoside comprising an unmodified sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, p is O. In certain embodiments, p is l, 2, 3, or 4.

In certain embodiments, each N’ comprises an unmodified sugar moiety. In certain ments, each fied sugar moiety is, ndently, a B-D-ribose or a B-D-deoxyribose. In certain embodiments, N” comprises a purine nucleobase. In certain embodiments, N” comprises a pyrimidine nucleobase. In n embodiments, at least one N’ comprises a purine nucleobase. In certain embodiments, each purine base is independently selected from adenine, guanine, nthine, xanthine, and ylguanine. In certain embodiments, N” is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine or a [3-D- deoxyriboguanosine. In certain embodiments, at least one N’ comprises a pyrimidine nucleobase. In certain ments, each dine nucleobase is ndently selected from cytosine, 5- methylcytosine, thymine, uracil, and 5,6-dihydrouracil.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the sugar moiety of each N is independently selected from a B-D-ribose, a B-D-deoxyribose, a 2’-O-methoxy sugar, a 2’-O-methyl sugar, a 2’-fluoro sugar, and a bicyclic sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, each bicyclic sugar moiety is independently selected from a cEt sugar moiety, an LNA sugar moiety, and an ENA sugar . In certain embodiments, a cEt sugar moiety is an S-cEt sugar moiety. In n embodiments, a cEt sugar moiety is an R-cEt sugar moiety. In any embodiments described herein, the sugar moiety of each N may be independently selected from B-D-ribose, a B-D-deoxyribose, and a 2’-fluoro sugar.

Provided herein are compounds comprising a modified nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the modified oligonucleotide has the ure AEMCCEAEMCCEMCCEAETETGUSCSACSACSTCSCS (SEQ ID NO: 4), wherein nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D-deoxyribonucleosides, sides followed by a ipt “E” are 2’-MOE nucleosides, nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides, and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate ucleoside linkage; and wherein the conjugate moiety is linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and has the structure: \ “(KN “v0.1.0 “m / NH H H l | O ?H I a {j y t 0-... ‘x, 1,.) .\ KNH' ,r\_\,.o\ ., —§\ 7,.\ e k, n TI “ ,,,,, V ‘ r ‘n‘ " 0 0 0 <3" 0 , .. ' 0 ,\ \mH N ‘ n H wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage; m is 1; N is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide.

Provided herein are compounds comprising a ed nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the modified oligonucleotide has the structure CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL (SEQ ID NO: 7), wherein the subscript “L” indicates an LNA and nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D- deoxyribonucleosides, and each intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage, and wherein the ate moiety is linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and has the \ *N-_.w.;.,0 Nm A A JNH " I; H L | f“ \i X if "’7‘ \ 0*» ‘k \ \NH H \ ,NH\’ . L V r x o o a) O .«\ ‘\ /\\ \\ I“\’n""NH a wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage; m is 1; N is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, all of the CL sides are MCCL nucleosides, n the superscript “Me” indicates 5-methylcytosine.

Provided herein are methods of inhibiting the activity of miR-l22 in a cell comprising contacting a cell with any compound provided herein. In certain embodiments, the cell is cell is in vivo. In n embodiments, cell is in vitro.

Provided herein are methods of administering to an HCV-infected t any of the compouds provided herein. In certain embodiments, the administering reduces the symptoms of HCV infection. In n embodiments, the administering ts a d in serum HCV RNA. In certain embodiments, the administering delays a rebound in serum HCV RNA. In certain embodiments, a subject having HCV infection is selected for treatment with a compound provided herein. In certain embodiments, an HCV- infected subject is infected with one or more HCV genotypes selected from genotype 1, genotype 2, genotype 3, genotype 4, genotype 5, and genotype 6. In certain embodiments, prior to administration of a compound provided herein, the subject was determined to be infected with one or more HCV genotypes selected from genotype 1, genotype 2, genotype 3, pe 4, genotype 5, and genotype 6. In certain embodiments, the HCV genotype is selected from genotype la, genotype 1b, genotype 2a, genotype 2b, genotype 2c, genotype 2d, genotype 3a, pe 3b, genotype 3c, genotype 3d, genotype 3e, genotype 3f, genotype 4a, genotype 4b, genotype 4c, genotype 4d, pe 4e, genotype 4f, genotype 4g, genotype 4h, pe 4i, genotype 4j, genotype 5a, and genotype 6a. In certain ments, the HCV genotype is selected from genotype 1a, 1b, and 2.

Any of the methods provided here may comprise administering at least one onal therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the at least one therapeutic agent is selected from a protease inhibitor, a polymerase inhibitor, a cofactor inhibitor, an RNA polymerase inhibitor, a structural protein inhibitor, a non-structural protein inhibitor, a cyclophilin inhibitor, an entry tor, a TLR7 agonist, and an interferon. In n embodiments, the at least one therapeutic agent is selected from a se inhibitor, an NSSA inhibitor, an NS3/4A inhibitor, a nucleoside NSSB inhibitor, a nucleotide NSSB inhibitor, a non-nucleoside NSSB inhibitor, a cyclophilin inhibitor and an eron. In certain embodiments, the at least one therapeutic agent is selected from interferon alfa-2a, interferon 2b, interferon alfacon- l, peginterferon alpha-2b, peginterferon 2a, eron-alpha-2b extended release, interferon lambda, sofosbuvir, ribavirin, avir, boceprevir, vaniprevir, asunaprevir, ritonavir, setrobuvir, daclastavir, simeprevir, alisporivir, mericitabine, tegobuvir, danoprevir, sovaprevir, and neceprevir. In certain embodiments, the at least one therapeutic agent is selected from an interferon, ribavirin, and telapravir.

In certain embodiments, a t is infected with an HCV variant that is resistant to at least one therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, a subject is infected with an HCV variant that is resistant to a direct-acting anti-viral agent. In certain ments, a subject is infected with an HCV variant that is resistant to at least one therapeutic agent selected from a protease inhibitor, a polymerase inhibitor, a or inhibitor, an RNA polymerase inhibitor, a ural protein inhibitor, a non-structural protein inhibitor, and a cyclophilin inhibitor. In certain embodiments, a subject is infected with an HCV variant that is resistant to at least one therapeutic agent selected from a protease tor, an NSSA inhibitor, an NS3/4A inhibitor, a nucleoside NSSB tor, a nucleotide NSSB inhibitor, a non-nucleoside NSSB inhibitor, and a cyclophilin inhibitor. In certain embodiments, a subject is infected with an HCV variant that is resistant to at least one therapeutic agent selected from sofosbuvir, ribavirin, telapravir, boceprevir, vaniprevir, asunaprevir, ritonavir, setrobuvir, daclastavir, simeprevir, alisporivir, mericitabine, tegobuvir, danoprevir, sovaprevir, and neceprevir.

In certain embodiments, an fected subject is a non-responder to at least one therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject is an interferon non-responder. In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject is a direct-acting iral non-responder.

Any of the methods provided herein may comprise selecting a subject having a HCV RNA level greater than 350,000 copies per milliliter of serum. In certain ments, a subject has an HCV RNA level n 350,000 and 3,500,000 copies per milliliter of serum. In certain embodiments, a subject has an HCV RNA level greater than 3,500,000 copies per milliliter of serum.

In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject has an sociated disease. In certain embodiments, an sociated disease is cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, steatohepatitis, steatosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma.

In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected t has one or more diseases that are not HCV- associated diseases. In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject is infected with one or more viruses other than HCV. In certain embodiments, an fected subject is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise administering an additional therapeutic agent is an anti-viral agent used in the treatment of HIV infection.

In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). In certain ments, an additional therapeutic agent is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is a protease inhibitor. In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is an entry inhibitor or fusion inhibitor.

In certain embodiments, an onal therapeutic agent is an integrase inhibitor. In certain embodiments, an additional eutic agent is selected from efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine, abacavir, emtricitabine, tenofovir, dine, zidovudine, avir, vir, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, enfuvirtide, maraviroc, and raltegravir.

Any of the methods provided herein may comprise administering a dose of the compound sufficient to reduce HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, the administered dose of the compound reduces HCV RNA level below 40 copies per ml of serum. In certain embodiments, the stered dose of the nd achieves at least a 2-log reduction in HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, administering a compound provided herein achieves a sustained virological response. In certain embodiments, the administered dose of the compound is sufficient to achieve an HCV RNA level ion of at least 0.5 fold, at least 1.0 fold, at least 1.5 fold, at least 2.0 fold, or at least 2.5 fold. In certain embodiments, the HCV RNA level reduction is achieved after two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, five weeks, or six weeks of a first administration of the compound. In certain embodiments, a compound provided herein is administered once per week, once per two weeks, once per three weeks, once per four weeks, or once per month. In certain embodiments, a compound provided herein is administered once per two months or once per three months. In some ments, a compound provided herein is administered once per four weeks.

In certain embodiments, the dose of the compound administeredis less than or equal to 5 mg/kg per week, less than or equal to 5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 4.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 4.0 mg/kg, less than or equal to 3.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 3.0 mg/kg, less than or equal to 2.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 2.0 mg/kg, less than or equal to 1.5 mg/kg, or less than or equal to 1.0 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, the compound is stered at a dose within a range of 1 to 5 mg/kg, or 1 to 4 mg/kg, or 2 to 5 mg/kg, or 2 to 4 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, the dose of the compound administered is less than or equal to 10 mg/kg, less than or equal to 7.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 10 mg/kg per week, or less than or equal to 7.5 mg/kg per week.

In certain embodiments, administration of a compound provided herein normalizes liver enzyme levels, wherein the liver enzyme is optionally alanine aminotransferase.

In any of the embodiments ed herein, the compound is present in a pharmaceutical composition.

Provided herein are compounds for use in ng an fected subject.

In certain embodiments, a subject is a human.

BRIEF PTION OF GS Figure 1A and 1B. In vivo potency of anti-miR-122 modified oligonucleotides. (A) Onset and duration of action of anti-miR-122, following a single administration of compound at the indicated doses.

(B) ression ofALDOA seven days after a single dose of anti-miR-122 nd at the indicated doses.

Figure 2. Structure of a conjugate moiety comprising three GalNAc ligands.

Figure 3A, 3B, and 3C. ated modified oligonucleotide structures.

Figure 4A, 4B, and 4C. In vivo potency of GalNAc-conjugated anti-miR-122 modified oligonucleotides.

Figure 5A and 5B. Antisense inhibition of miR—122 reduces HCV titer.

Figure 6A and 6B. In vivo potency of GalNAc-conjugated anti-miR-122 modified oligonucleotides.

Figure 7A and 7B. In vivo potency of GalNAc-conjugated anti-miR-122 modified oligonucleotides.

Figure 8A and 8B. In vivo potency of GalNAc-conjugated anti-miR-122 modified oligonucleotides.

Figure 9A and 9B. Pharmacokinetics of anti-miR— 122 compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the arts to which the invention belongs. Unless specific definitions are ed, the nomenclature utilized in connection with, and the procedures and techniques of, analytical chemistry, synthetic c chemistry, and medicinal and ceutical chemistry described herein are those well known and commonly used in the art. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for terms herein, those in this section prevail. Standard techniques may be used for chemical synthesis, chemical is, pharmaceutical preparation, formulation and delivery, and treatment of ts. Certain such techniques and procedures may be found for example in “Carbohydrate Modifications in Antisense Research” Edited by Sangvi and Cook, American Chemical Society gton DC, 1994; and gton's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Publishing Co., , Pa., 18th edition, 1990; and which is hereby incorporated by reference for any purpose. Where permitted, all patents, patent applications, published applications and publications, GENBANK sequences, websites and other published materials ed to throughout the entire disclosure herein, unless noted otherwise, are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where reference is made to a URL or other such identifier or address, it is understood that such fiers can change and particular information on the intemet can change, but equivalent information can be found by searching the intemet. Reference thereto evidences the availability and public dissemination of such information.

Before the present compositions and methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms 44 n 44 a an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Definitions “HCV infection” means infection with one or more pes of the Hepatitis C Virus.

“HCV-infected subject” means a subject who has been infected with one or more genotypes of the hepatitis C virus. An HCV-infected subject may or may not exhibit symptoms of HCV infection.

HCV-infected subjects include ts who have been infected with one or more genotypes of HCV, but HCV RNA in the blood of the subject is below detectable levels.

“HCV-associated disease” means a pathological process that is mediated by HCV infection. sociated diseases include, but are not limited to, sis, liver s, steatoheptatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

“Blood HCV RNA” means hepatitis C virus RNA present in the blood of an HCV-infected subject. Blood includes whole blood and serum.

“Rebound in serum HCV RNA” means an se in HCV RNA level following a previous decrease in HCV RNA level.

“HCV RNA level” means the amount ofHCV RNA in a given volume of the blood of a subject.

HCV RNA level may be expressed as copies of RNA per milliliter. “HCV RNA level” may also be called “HCV viral load” or “HCV RNA titer.” “Sustained virological response” means undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA in the blood of the subject at the end of an entire course of treatment and after a further six months. In certain embodiments, HCV RNA is ered undetectable below 40 copies per iter of blood.

“Non-responder” means a subject who has received treatment but is not experiencing a clinically acceptable improvement in disease markers or ms.

“Interferon non-responder” means an HCV-infected subject who has received treatment with interferon, but is not experiencing a clinically acceptable reduction in HCV RNA level.

“Direct-acting anti-viral agent” means a pharmaceutical agent that inhibits the activity of an HCV “Direct-acting anti-viral non-responder” means an HCV-infected t who has received treatment with a direct-acting anti-viral agent, but is not experiencing a clinically acceptable reduction in HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, the virus has developed resistance to the direct-acting anti-viral agent. “miRassociated condition” means any disease, disorder or condition that can be treated, prevented or ameliorated by modulating miR-122. A miR—122-associated e need not be characterized by excess miR— 122. miRassociated diseases included, without tion, HCV ion, elevated terol, and iron overload disorders.

“Iron overload disorder” means any disease, disorder or condition characterized by excess iron in the body. “Subject” means a human or non-human animal selected for treatment or therapy.

“Subject in need thereof’ means a subject that is identified as in need of a therapy or treatment. ct ted of having” means a subject exhibiting one or more clinical indicators of a disease.

“Administering” means providing a pharmaceutical agent or composition to a subject, and es, but is not limited to, administering by a medical professional and self-administering.

“Parenteral administration” means administration through injection or infusion.

Parenteral stration includes, but is not limited to, subcutaneous administration, intravenous administration, and intramuscular administration.

“Subcutaneous administration” means administration just below the skin.

“Intravenous administration” means administration into a vein.

“Administered concomitantly” refers to the co-administration oftwo or more agents to a subject in any manner in which the pharmacological effects of each agent are present in a subject. itant administration does not require that both agents be administered in a single pharmaceutical composition, in the same dosage form, or by the same route of administration. The effects of both agents need not be present at the same time. The effects need only be overlapping for a period of time and need not be coextensive.

“Duration” means the period of time during which an activity or event continues. In certain embodiments, the duration of treatment is the period of time during which doses of a ceutical agent or pharmaceutical composition are administered.

“Therapy” means a disease treatment method. In certain embodiments, therapy includes, but is not limited to, herapy, radiation y, or administration of a ceutical agent.

“Treatment” means the application of one or more ic procedures used for the cure or amelioration of a disease. In certain embodiments, the specific procedure is the administration of one or more pharmaceutical agents.

“Amelioration” means a lessening of severity of at least one indicator of a condition or disease.

In certain embodiments, ration includes a delay or slowing in the progression of one or more indicators of a condition or disease. The severity of indicators may be determined by subjective or objective measures which are known to those skilled in the art.

“At risk for developing” means the state in which a subject is predisposed to developing a condition or disease. In certain ments, a subject at risk for developing a condition or disease ts one or more ms of the condition or disease, but does not t a sufficient number of symptoms to be diagnosed with the condition or disease. In certain embodiments, a t at risk for developing a condition or disease ts one or more symptoms of the condition or disease, but to a lesser extent required to be diagnosed with the condition or disease.

“Prevent the onset of ’ means to prevent the development of a condition or disease in a subject who is at risk for developing the disease or condition. In n embodiments, a subject at risk for developing the disease or ion receives treatment similar to the treatment received by a subject who already has the disease or condition.

“Delay the onset of” means to delay the development of a condition or disease in a subject who is at risk for developing the disease or condition. In certain embodiments, a subject at risk for developing the disease or condition receives treatment similar to the treatment received by a t who already has the disease or condition.

“Therapeutic agent” means a pharmaceutical agent used for the cure, amelioration or prevention of a e.

“Dose” means a specified quantity of a pharmaceutical agent provided in a single administration.

In certain embodiments, a dose may be administered in two or more boluses, tablets, or injections. For example, in certain embodiments, where aneous administration is desired, the desired dose requires a volume not easily accommodated by a single injection. In such embodiments, two or more injections may be used to achieve the desired dose. In certain embodiments, a dose may be administered in two or more injections to minimize injection site reaction in an individual. In certain embodiments, a dose is administered as a slow infusion. e unit” means a form in which a pharmaceutical agent is provided. In certain embodiments, a dosage unit is a vial containing lyophilized oligonucleotide. In certain ments, a dosage unit is a vial containing tituted oligonucleotide.

“Therapeutically ive amount” refers to an amount of a pharmaceutical agent that provides a eutic benefit to an animal.

“Pharmaceutical composition” means a mixture of substances suitable for administering to an individual that includes a pharmaceutical agent. For example, a pharmaceutical composition may se a sterile aqueous solution.

“Pharmaceutical agent” means a substance that provides a therapeutic effect when administered to a t.

“Active pharmaceutical ingredient” means the substance in a pharmaceutical composition that es a desired effect.

“Improved organ function” means a change in organ function toward normal limits. In certain ments, organ function is assessed by measuring molecules found in a subject’s blood or urine. For e, in certain embodiments, improved liver function is measured by a ion in blood liver transaminase levels. In certain embodiments, improved kidney function is measured by a reduction in blood urea nitrogen, a reduction in proteinuria, a reduction in albuminuria, etc.

“Acceptable safety profile” means a n of side effects that is within clinically acceptable limits.

“Side effect” means a logical response attributable to a treatment other than desired effects.

In certain embodiments, side effects include, without limitation, injection site reactions, liver function test alities, renal function abnormalities, liver toxicity, renal toxicity, central nervous system abnormalities, and myopathies. Such side effects may be detected directly or indirectly. For example, increased aminotransferase levels in serum may indicate liver toxicity or liver on ality. For example, increased bilirubin may indicate liver toxicity or liver function abnormality.

“Injection site reaction” means inflammation or abnormal redness of skin at a site of injection in an dual.

“Subject compliance” means adherence to a recommended or prescribed therapy by a subject.

“Comply” means the adherence with a recommended y by a subject.

“Recommended therapy” means a ent recommended by a medical professional to treat, ameliorate, delay, or prevent a disease. “miR-122” means a NA having the nucleobase sequence UGGAGUGUGACAAUGGUGUUUG (SEQ ID NO: 1). “miR-122 stem-loop” means the microRNA precursor having the nucleobase sequence CCUUAGCAGAGCUGUGGAGUGUGACAAUGGUGUUUGUGUCUAAACUAUCAAACGCCAUU AUCACACUAAAUAGCUACUGCUAGGC (SEQ ID NO: 2).

“Anti-miR” means an oligonucleotide having a nucleobase sequence mentary to a microRNA. In certain embodiments, an anti-miR is a modified oligonucleotide.

“Anti-miR-122” means an oligonucleotide having a nucleobase sequence complementary to miR- 122. In certain embodiments, an anti-miR-122 is fully complementary to 2 (i.e., 100% complementary). In certain embodiments, an anti-miR-122 is at least 90%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, or 100% complementary. In certain embodiments, an anti-miR- 122 is a modified oligonucleotide.

“Target nucleic acid” means a nucleic acid to which an oligomeric compound is designed to hybridize. ting” means the process of design and selection of base sequence that will hybridize to a target nucleic acid.

“Targeted to” means having a nucleobase sequence that will allow hybridization to a target nucleic acid.

“Modulation” means a perturbation of function, amount, or activity. In certain embodiments, modulation means an increase in function, , or activity. In certain embodiments, tion means a decrease in function, amount, or activity. ssion” means any functions and steps by which a gene’s coded information is converted into structures present and operating in a cell. “5’ target site” means the nucleobase of a target nucleic acid which is complementary to the 3’- most nucleobase of a particular oligonucleotide. “3’ target site” means the nucleobase of a target nucleic acid which is complementary to the 5’- most nucleobase of a particular oligonucleotide.

“Region” means a portion of linked nucleosides within a nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to a region of a target c acid. For example, in certain such embodiments an ucleotide is complementary to a region of a microRNA sequence. In certain such embodiments, an oligonucleotide is fully complementary to a region of a microRNA.

“Segment” means a smaller or sub-portion of a region.

“Nucleobase ce” means the order of contiguous nucleobases in an oligomeric compound or nucleic acid, typically listed in a 5’ to 3’ orientation, independent of any sugar, linkage, and/or nucleobase modification.

“Contiguous nucleobases” means nucleobases immediately adjacent to each other in a nucleic acid.

“Nucleobase complementarity” means the ability oftwo nucleobases to pair non-covalently Via hydrogen bonding.

“Complementary” means that one c acid is capable of hybridizing to another nucleic acid or ucleotide. In certain embodiments, complementary refers to an oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to a target nucleic acid.

“Fully complementary” means each base of an ucleotide is capable of pairing with a nucleobase at each corresponding position in a target nucleic acid. In certain ments, an oligonucleotide is fully complementary to a microRNA, i.e. each nucleobase of the oligonucleotide is complementary to a base at a corresponding position in the NA. In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide wherein each nucleobase has complementarity to a base within a region of a microRNA sequence is fully complementary to the microRNA sequence.

“Percent complementarity” means the tage of nucleobases of an oligonucleotide that are mentary to an equal-length portion of a target nucleic acid. Percent complementarity is calculated by dividing the number of nucleobases of the oligonucleotide that are complementary to nucleobases at corresponding positions in the target nucleic acid by the total number of nucleobases in the oligonucleotide.

“Percent identity” means the number of nucleobases in a first nucleic acid that are identical to nucleobases at corresponding positions in a second nucleic acid, divided by the total number of nucleobases in the first nucleic acid. In certain ments, the first nucleic acid is a microRNA and the second nucleic acid is a NA. In certain embodiments, the first nucleic acid is an oligonucleotide and the second nucleic acid is an oligonucleotide.

“Hybridize” means the annealing of complementary nucleic acids that occurs through nucleobase complementarity.

“Mismatch” means a nucleobase of a first nucleic acid that is not capable of Watson-Crick pairing with a base at a corresponding on of a second c acid.

“Identical” in the context of nucleobase sequences, means having the same nucleobase ce, independent of sugar, linkage, and/or nucleobase modifications and independent of the methyl state of any pyrimidines present.

“MicroRNA” means an endogenous non-coding RNA between 18 and 25 nucleobases in length, which is the t of cleavage of a croRNA by the enzyme Dicer. Examples of mature microRNAs are found in the microRNA database known as e (http://microrna.sanger.ac.uk0. In certain embodiments, microRNA is abbreviated as “microRNA” or “miR.” “Pre-microRNA” or “pre-miR” means a non-coding RNA having a hairpin structure, which is the product of cleavage of a pri-miR by the double-stranded RNA-specific ribonuclease known as Drosha.

“Stem-loop sequence” means an RNA having a hairpin structure and ning a mature microRNA sequence. croRNA sequences and stem-loop sequences may overlap. Examples of oop sequences are found in the NA database known as miRBase (http://microma.sanger.ac.uk0.

“Pri-microRNA” or “pri-miR” means a non-coding RNA having a hairpin structure that is a substrate for the double-stranded RNA-specific ribonuclease Drosha. “microRNA precursor” means a transcript that originates from a genomic DNA and that comprises a non-coding, structured RNA comprising one or more microRNA sequences. For example, in certain embodiments a microRNA precursor is a pre-microRNA. In certain embodiments, a microRNA precursor is a pri-microRNA. “microRNA-regulated transcript” means a transcript that is regulated by a microRNA.

“Monocistronic transcript” means a microRNA precursor containing a single microRNA sequence.

“Polycistronic transcript” means a microRNA precursor containing two or more microRNA sequences.

“Seed sequence” means a nucleobase sequence comprising from 6 to 8 contiguous nucleobases of nucleobases 1 to 9 of the 5’-end of a mature microRNA sequence.

“Seed match ce” means a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to a seed sequence, and is the same length as the seed sequence.

“Oligomeric compound” means a compound that comprises a plurality of linked monomeric subunits. Oligomeric compounds included oligonucleotides.

“Oligonucleotide” means a compound comprising a ity of linked nucleosides, each of which can be modified or unmodified, independent from one another.

“Naturally occurring intemucleoside linkage” means a 3’ to 5’ phosphodiester linkage between nucleosides.

“Natural sugar” means a sugar found in DNA (2’-H) or RNA (2’-OH). “lntemucleoside e” means a covalent linkage between adjacent nucleosides.

“Linked nucleosides” means nucleosides joined by a covalent linkage.

“Nucleobase” means a heterocyclic moiety capable of non-covalently pairing with another nucleobase.

“Nucleoside” means a nucleobase linked to a sugar moiety.

“Nucleotide” means a nucleoside having a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of a nucleoside.

“Compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of” a number of linked nucleosides means a compound that includes a modified oligonucleotide having the specified number of linked sides. Thus, the nd may include additional substituents or conjugates. Unless otherwise indicated, the compound does not include any additional nucleosides beyond those of the modified oligonucleotide.

“Modified oligonucleotide” means an oligonucleotide having one or more modifications relative to a naturally occurring terminus, sugar, nucleobase, and/or intemucleoside e. A d oligonucleotide may comprise unmodified nucleosides.

“Single-stranded modified ucleotide” means a modified oligonucleotide which is not hybridized to a complementary strand.

“Modified nucleoside” means a nucleoside having any change from a naturally occurring nucleoside. A modified nucleoside may have a modified sugar, and an unmodified nucleobase. A modified nucleoside may have a modified sugar and a modified base. A d nucleoside may have a natural sugar and a d nucleobase. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleoside is a bicyclic nucleoside. In certain embodiments, a d nucleoside is a non-bicyclic nucleoside. dified nucleoside” means a nucleoside sing a sugar with any modification at the position equivalent to the 2’ position of the furanosyl ring as the ons are numbered in 2-deoxyribose or ribose. It is to be understood that 2’-modif1ed nucleosides include, without limitation, nucleosides comprising bicyclic sugar moieties.

“Modifled internucleoside e” means any change from a naturally occurring internucleoside linkage.

“Phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage” means a linkage between nucleosides where one of the non-bridging atoms is a sulfur atom. A “phosphorothioate linkage” means a linkage n two al moieties having the same structure as a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, e.g., - OP(O)(S)O-.

A “phosphodiester linkage” means a e between two al moieties haVing the same ure as a phosphodiester internucleoside e, e.g., -OP(O)20-.

“Unmodified nucleobase” means the naturally occurring heterocyclic bases of RNA or DNA: the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) (including -methylcytosine), and uracil (U). “5-methylcytosine” means a cytosine comprising a methyl group attached to the 5 position.

“Non-methylated ne” means a cytosine that does not have a methyl group attached to the 5 position.

“Modifled nucleobase” means any nucleobase that is not an unmodified nucleobase.

“Furanosyl” means a structure comprising a ered ring consisting of four carbon atoms and one oxygen atom.

“Naturally occurring furanosyl” means a ribofuranosyl as found in naturally ing RNA or a deoxyribofuranosyl as found in naturally occurring DNA.

“Sugar moiety” means a naturally occurring syl or a modified sugar moiety.

“Modifled sugar moiety” means a substituted sugar moiety or a sugar surrogate.

“Substituted sugar moiety” means a furanosyl that is not a naturally occurring furanosyl.

Substituted sugar moieties include, but are not limited to sugar moieties comprising modifications at the 2’-position, the 5’-position and/or the 4’-position of a naturally ing furanosyl. Certain substituted sugar moieties are bicyclic sugar moieties.

“Sugar surrogate” means a structure that does not comprise a furanosyl and that is capable of replacing the naturally occurring furanosyl of a nucleoside, such that the resulting nucleoside is capable of (1) oration into an oligonucleotide and (2) hybridization to a complementary nucleoside. Such structures include relatively simple changes to the furanosyl, such as rings comprising a different number of atoms (e. g., 4, 6, or 7-membered rings); replacement of the oxygen of the furanosyl with a non-oxygen atom (e.g., carbon, sulfur, or nitrogen); or both a change in the number of atoms and a replacement of the oxygen. Such structures may also comprise substitutions corresponding with those described for substituted sugar moieties (e. g., 6-membered carbocyclic bicyclic sugar surrogates ally comprising additional tuents). Sugar surrogates also include more complex sugar replacements (e. g., the non- ring systems of peptide nucleic acid). Sugar surrogates include without limitation morpholinos, cyclohexenyls and cyclohexitols.

“B-D-deoxyribose” means a naturally ing DNA sugar moiety.

“B-D-ribose” means a naturally occurring RNA sugar moiety. “2’-O-methyl sugar” or “2’-OMe sugar” means a sugar haVing a O-methyl modification at the 2’ position. “2’-O-methoxyethyl sugar” or “2’-MOE sugar” means a sugar haVing a O-methoxyethyl modification at the 2’ position. “2’-O-fiuoro” or “2’-F” means a sugar haVing a fiuoro ation of the 2’ position.

“Bicyclic sugar moiety” means a modified sugar moiety comprising a 4 to 7 membered ring (including by not limited to a furanosyl) comprising a bridge connecting two atoms of the 4 to 7 membered ring to form a second ring, resulting in a bicyclic structure. In certain embodiments, the 4 to 7 membered ring is a sugar ring. In certain embodiments the 4 to 7 membered ring is a furanosyl. In n such embodiments, the bridge connects the 2’-carbon and the 4’-carbon of the furanosyl.

Nonlimiting exemplary bicyclic sugar moieties e LNA, ENA, cEt, S-cEt, and R-cEt.

“Locked nucleic acid (LNA) sugar moiety” means a tuted sugar moiety sing a (CH2)-O bridge n the 4’ and 2’ furanose ring atoms.

“ENA sugar moiety” means a substituted sugar moiety comprising a (CH2)2-O bridge between the 4’ and 2’ furanose ring atoms.

“Constrained ethyl (cEt) sugar moiety” means a substituted sugar moiety comprising a CH(CH3)- 0 bridge between the 4' and the 2' furanose ring atoms. In certain embodiments, the CH(CH3)-O bridge is constrained in the S orientation. In certain embodiments, the CH(CH3)-O bridge is constrained in the R orientation.

“S-cEt sugar moiety” means a tuted sugar moiety comprising an trained CH(CH3)-O bridge between the 4' and the 2' furanose ring atoms.

“R-cEt sugar ” means a substituted sugar moiety comprising an R-constrained CH(CH3)-O bridge between the 4' and the 2' furanose ring atoms. “2’-O-methyl nucleoside” means a modified nucleoside haVing a 2’-O-methyl sugar modification. “2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside” means a modified nucleoside having a 2’-O-methoxyethyl sugar modification. A 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside may comprise a modified or unmodified nucleobase. “2’-fluoro nucleoside” means a modified nucleoside having a 2’-fluoro sugar modification. A 2’- fluoro nucleoside may comprise a modified or unmodified nucleobase.

“Bicyclic nucleoside” means a modified nucleoside having a bicyclic sugar moiety. A bicyclic nucleoside may have a modified or unmodified nucleobase. “cEt nucleoside” means a nucleoside comprising a cEt sugar moiety. A cEt nucleoside may se a modified or unmodified nucleobase.

“S-cEt nucleoside” means a nucleoside comprising an S-cEt sugar moiety.

“R-cEt nucleoside” means a nucleoside comprising an R-cEt sugar moiety.

“Non-bicyclic nucleoside” means a nucleoside that has a sugar other than a bicyclic sugar. In certain embodiments, a non-bicyclic nucleoside comprises a naturally occurring sugar. In certain embodiments, a non-bicyclic nucleoside ses a modified sugar. In certain embodiments, a non- bicyclic nucleoside is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside. In certain embodiments, a cyclic nucleoside is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside.

“B-D-deoxyribonucleoside” means a naturally occurring DNA nucleoside. ibonucleoside” means a naturally occurring RNA side.

“LNA nucleoside” means a nucleoside comprising a LNA sugar moiety.

“ENA nucleoside” means a nucleoside comprising an ENA sugar moiety.

“Motif’ means a n ofmodified and/or fied nucleobases, sugars, and/or intemucleoside linkages in an oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a motif is a nucleoside n.

“Nucleoside n” means a pattern of nucleoside ations in a modified oligonucleotide or a region thereof. A nucleoside pattern is a motif that describes the arrangement of nucleoside modifications in an oligonucleotide.

“Fully modified oligonucleotide” means each nucleobase, each sugar, and/or each intemucleoside linkage is modified.

“Uniformly modified oligonucleotide” means each nucleobase, each sugar, and/or each intemucleoside linkage has the same modification hout the modified ucleotide. lizing modification” means a modification to a nucleoside that provides enhanced stability to a modified oligonucleotide, in the presence of ses, relative to that provided by 2’- deoxynucleosides linked by phosphodiester intemucleoside linkages. For example, in certain embodiments, a stabilizing modification is a stabilizing nucleoside modification. In certain embodiments, a stabilizing modification is an intemucleoside linkage modification.

“Stabilizing nucleoside” means a side modified to provide enhanced nuclease stability to an oligonucleotide, relative to that provided by a 2’-deoxynucleoside. In one embodiment, a stabilizing nucleoside is a 2’-modified nucleoside.

“Stabilizing intemucleoside linkage” means an intemucleoside linkage that provides improved nuclease stability to an oligonucleotide relative to that provided by a phosphodiester intemucleoside linkage. In one embodiment, a stabilizing intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

A “linking group” as used herein refers to an atom or group of atoms that attach a first chemical entity to a second chemical entity via one or more covalent bonds.

A “linker” as used herein, refers to an atom or group of atoms that attach one or more ligands to a d or unmodified side via one or more nt bonds. The modified or fied nucleoside may be part of a modified oligonucleotide as described herein, or may be attached to a modified oligonucleotide h a phosphodiester or phosphorothioate bond. In some embodiments, the linker attaches one or more ligands to the 3’ end of a modified oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the linker attaches one or more ligands to the 5’ end of a modified ucleotide. In some embodiments, the linker attaches one or more ligands to a modified or unmodified nucleoside that is attached to the 3’ end of a modified oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the linker attaches one or more s to a modified or fied nucleoside that is attached to the 5’ end of a modified oligonucleotide. When the linker attaches one or more ligands to the 3’ end of a modified ucleotide or to a modified or unmodified nucleoside attached to the 3’ end of a modified oligonucleotide, in some embodiments, the attachment point for the linker may be the 3’ carbon of a modified or unmodified sugar moiety. When the linker attaches one or more ligands to the 5’ end of a d ucleotide or to a modified or unmodified nucleoside attached to the 5’ end of a d oligonucleotide, in some embodiments, the attachment point for the linker may be the 5’ carbon of a modified or unmodified sugar moiety.

Overview To identify potent inhibitors of miR-122, us anti-miR-122 compounds were designed and synthesized. The compounds comprised modified oligonucleotides that varied in length, and in the number, ent, and identity of bicyclic nucleosides and non-bicyclic nucleosides. An initial series of compounds was tested in an in vitro luciferase assay, which identified a subset of compounds as in vitro active compounds. These in vitro active compounds were then tested in in vivo assays to identify those compounds that are potent inhibitors of miR-122 in vivo. From the initial in vitro and in vivo screens, certain compounds were selected as the basis for the design of additional compounds. The experimentally observed correlations n ure and activity (both in vitro and in vivo) were used to inform the design of these additional compounds, with further variations in length and selection and ement of bicyclic and non-bicyclic nucleosides. The in vitro and in vivo screening assays were repeated for these additional compounds. Certain compounds were also tested for other properties, for example, susceptibility to exonuclease activity, tissue lation, and tissue half-life.

Of over 400 compounds ed in vitro during this s, approximately 150 were fied as active in an in vitro luciferase assay. Approximately 70 of these compounds were further evaluated for in vivo potency and safety. Through this iterative process of designing and screening compounds, it was observed that certain compounds, both unconjugated anti-miR-122 modified oligonucleotides and conjugated anti-miR- 122 modified oligonucleotides, were potent inhibitors ofmiR-122 in vivo. As such, these compounds are useful for the modulation of cellular processes that are promoted by the activity of miR-122. Further, such compounds are useful for treating, preventing, and/or delaying the onset of diseases associated with miR-122. Such diseases include, but are not limited to, HCV infection and HCV- related cations, such as cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, steatohepatitis, steatosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Certain Anti-miR-I22 Compounds Provided herein are modified oligonucleotides having certain ns of bicyclic and non- bicyclic sides. Modified ucleotides having the patterns identified herein are effective inhibitors of miR-122 activity.

Each of the side patterns illustrated herein is shown in the 5’ to 3’ orientation.

In certain embodiments, provided herein are compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of from 16 to 22 linked nucleosides, wherein the base sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is complementary to miR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least 16 contiguous nucleosides of the following nucleoside pattern I in the 5’ to 3’ orientation: Q-NQ-NB-NB-NQ-NB-NQ-NB-NQ-NB-NB-(NZ)Y n each R is, independently, a non-bicyclic nucleoside or a bicyclic nucleoside; X is from 4 to 10; each NB is, independently, a bicyclic nucleoside; each NQ is, independently, a non-bicyclic nucleoside; Y is O or 1; and NZ is a modified nucleoside or an unmodified nucleoside non-bicyclic nucleoside or a bicyclic nucleoside.

In certain ments, the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, or 22 contiguous nucleosides of nucleoside pattern I.

In certain ments, each bicyclic nucleoside is independently selected from an LNA nucleoside, a cEt nucleoside, and an ENA nucleoside.

In certain ments, at least two bicyclic nucleosides are different from one another.

In certain ments, all ic nucleosides have the same type of sugar moiety.

In certain embodiments, each bicyclic nucleoside is a cEt nucleoside. In certain embodiments, the cEt nucleoside is an S-cEt nucleoside. In certain embodiments, the cEt nucleoside is an R-cEt nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, each bicyclic nucleoside is an LNA nucleoside.

In n embodiments, at least two non-bicyclic nucleosides se sugar moieties that are different from one another. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside has the same type of sugar moiety.

In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside is independently selected from a [5-D- deoxyribonucleoside, a B-D-ribonucleoside, 2’-O-methyl nucleoside, a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, and a 2’-fluoronucleoside. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside is independently selected from a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside, and a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside. In certain embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside. In n embodiments, each non-bicyclic nucleoside is a 2’-MOE nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, no more than two non-bicyclic sides are 2’-MOE nucleosides. In certain embodiments, no more than two non-bicyclic nucleosides are 2’-MOE nucleosides, and each other non-bicyclic nucleoside is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside.

In certain embodiments, the 5’- terminal and the 3’-terminal non-bicyclic nucleosides are 2’- MOE nucleosides and each other cyclic nucleoside is a oxyribonucleoside.

In certain embodiments, two non-bicyclic nucleosides are 2’-MOE nucleosides and each other non-bicyclic nucleoside is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside.

In certain ments, each nucleoside of R is a 2’-MOE nucleoside.

In n embodiments, X is 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10.

In certain embodiments, Y is O. In certain embodiments, Y is 1.

In certain embodiments, R consist of seven linked nucleosides, wherein each nucleoside is a 2’- O-methoxyethyl nucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In n embodiments, R consists of four linked sides Z-NR3-NR4, wherein each of NR1 and NR3 is a S-cEt nucleoside and each ofNR2 and NR4 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S- cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a oxyribonucleoside; Y is 1; and NZ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside.

In certain embodiments, R consists of four linked nucleosides NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4, wherein each of NRI and NR4 is a S-cEt nucleoside and each ofNR2 and N18 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S- cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; Y is 1; and NZ is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, R consists of seven linked nucleosides NR1-NR2-NR3-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7, wherein each ofNR1, NR2, NR3, and NR4 is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each of NR5 and NR7 is a [3-D- deoxyribonucleoside, and NR6 is S-cEt nucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a [5-D- deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In certain embodiments, R consists of seven linked nucleosides NR1-NR2-NR3-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7, wherein each ofNR1, NR2, NR3, NR4’ and NRS is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, NR6 is S-cEt nucleoside, and NR7 is a oxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a [5-D- deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In certain ments, R consists of seven linked nucleosides NR1-NR2-NR3-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7, wherein each ofNR1, NR2, NR3, NR4, NR5, and NR6 is 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, and NR7 is a [3-D- deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In certain embodiments, R consists of ten linked sides NR1-NR2-Nm-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7-NR8- NRg-NRIO, n each of NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4,NR5, and NR6 is 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each ofNR7 and NR9 is a an S-cEt nucleoside; each of NR8 and NR10 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; and Y is O.

In certain embodiments, R consists of ten linked nucleosides NR1-NR2-Nm-NR4-NR5-NR6-NR7-NR8- NRg-NRIO, wherein each of NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4,NR5, and NR6 is 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each ofNR7 and NR9 is a an S-cEt nucleoside; and each ofNRg and NR10 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S- cEt side; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; Y is 1 and NZ is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl side.

In certain embodiments, R consists of four linked nucleosides NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4, wherein each of NRland NR4 is an S-cEt nucleoside, and each of NRI and N18 is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt nucleoside; each NQ is a oxyribonucleoside; Y is 1 and NZ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside.

In certain embodiments, R consists of four linked nucleosides NRl-NRZ-NR3-NR4, wherein NR1 is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, each ofNR2 and NR4 is an S-cEt nucleoside, and N18 is a [3-D- ibonucleoside; each NB is an S-cEt side; each NQ is a B-D-deoxyribonucleoside; Y is 1 and NZ is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is at least 90%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, or 100% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is complementary to miR-122 such that position 2 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is paired with the 3’-terminal nucleobase of the ucleotide. For example: ' -UGGAGUGUGACAAUGGUGUUUG-3' (miR-122; SEQ ID NO: 1) |||||||||||||||||| 3 ' - CCTCACACTGTTACCACA—S' (an anti-miR-122; SEQ ID NO: 4) In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the d ucleotide is complementary to miR-122 such that position 1 of SEQ ID NO: 1 is paired with the 3’-terminal nucleobase of the oligonucleotide. For example: ' -UGGAGUGUGACAAUGGUGUUUG-3' (miR-122; SEQ ID NO: 1) |||||||||||||||| 3' -ACCTCACACTGTTACC—5' (an iR-122; SEQ ID NO: 3); and ' -UGGAGUGUGACAAUGGUGUUUG-3' (miR-122; SEQ ID NO: 1) |||||||||||||||||||||| 3' -TCCTCACACTGTTACCACAAAC—5' (an anti-miR-122; SEQ ID NO: 6) In certain embodiments, at least one internucleoside linkage is a modified internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage is a modified internucleoside linkage. In n embodiments, a modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, at least one pyrimidine of the modified oligonucleotide comprises a 5- methyl group. In certain embodiments, at least one cytosine of the modified oligonucleotide is a 5- methylcytosine. In certain embodiments, each cytosine of the modified oligonucleotide is a 5- methylcytosine. In certain ments, each modified nucleotide that comprises a ne comprises a ylcytosine. In certain embodiments, each ethoxyethylnucleoside that comprises a cytosine comprises a 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide is selected from SEQ ID NOs: 3 to 6, wherein each T is independently selected from T and U.

In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has 0, l, 2, or 3 mismatches with t to the nucleobase sequence of miR-122. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has 0 mismatches with respect to the nucleobase sequence of miR-l22. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has 1 mismatch with t to the nucleobase sequence of miR-l22. In certain embodiments, the modified oligonucleotide has 2 mismatches with respect to the nucleobase ce of miR-122.

In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide consists of greater than 22 linked nucleosides, and comprises at least 8 linked sides of nucleoside n I. The nucleosides that are present in addition to the nucleosides bed by nucleoside pattern I are either modified or unmodified.

In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide consists of less than 16 linked nucleosides, and comprises at least 8 linked nucleosides of nucleoside pattern I.

In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence and modifications as shown in Table 1. Nucleosides and nucleobases are indicated as follows: the superscript “Me” indicates -methylcytosine; sides not followed by a subscript are B-D-deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “E” are 2’-MOE nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt sides; and each intemucleoside linkage is a orothioate intemucleoside linkage.

Table 1: iR—122 Compounds SEQ ID Compound # Sequence and Modifications AEMCCEAEMCCEMCCEAETETGUSCSACSACSTCSCS 4 CSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSA 3 MCCSCATSTGTSMCCSAMCCSAMCCSTMCCSMCCSAE 3 AEMCCEAEMCCECASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS 4 AEMCCEAEMCCEMCCEASTTGUSCSACSACsTCsCs 4 AEMCCEAEMCCEMCCEAETTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS 4 MCCEAEAEAEMCCEAECSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS 5 3 8659 CSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSTE 10 MCCEAEAEAEMCCEAECSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSTE 6 CSCAUSTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSA 3 AUSTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSAE 3 In some embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence and modifications as shown below: UsTGUsCsACsACsTCsCsAs (SEQ ID NO: 8); or CsAsCsAsCsUsCsCs (SEQ ID NO: 9); wherein nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D-deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides; and each intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage. In some such embodiments, a compound is 38591, 38633, 38998, or 38634.

Anti-miR-I22 Compounds Comprising Conjugates In certain embodiments, a compound provided herein ses a modified oligonucleotide conjugated to one or more moieties which enhance the activity, cellular distribution and/or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. For example, increased cellular uptake of compounds may be achieved by utilizing conjugates that are s for cell-surface receptors. The binding of a ligand conjugated to an exogenous molecule (e. g., a drug) to its cell surface receptor leads to the internalization of the ated molecule, thereby enhancing transmembrane transport of the exogenous le. Any of the anti-miR- 122 modified oligonucleotides provided herein may be linked to one or more moieties to form a compound comprising a conjugated iR-122 modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a nd provided herein comprises a conjugate moiety linked to the ’ terminus or the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the compound comprises a conjugate moiety linked to the 3’ terminus of the d oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the compound ses a conjugate moiety linked to the 5’ terminus of the modified ucleotide. In certain embodiments, the nd comprises a first conjugate moiety linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and a second conjugate moiety linked to the 5’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a conjugate moiety comprises at least one ligand selected from a carbohydrate, cholesterol, a lipid, a phospholipid, an antibody, a lipoprotein, a hormone, a peptide, a n, a steroid, or a ic lipid.

Ligands may be covalently attached to a modified oligonucleotide by any suitable linker. Various linkers are known in the art, and certain nonlimiting exemplary s are described, e.g., in PCT Publication No. may be selected that is resistant to tic ge in vivo. In some embodiments, a linker may be selected that is resistant to ytic cleavage in vivo. In some embodiments, a linker may be selected that will undergo enzymatic cleavage in vivo. In some embodiments, a linker may be selected that will undergo hydrolytic cleavage in vivo.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprising a conjugated modified oligonucleotide described herein has the structure: L-X1-Nm-X2-MO; wherein each L is a ligand; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a phosphodiester linkage or a orothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In certain embodiments, m is 2. In certain embodiments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, m is 3, 4, or 5. In n embodiments, when m is greater than 1, each modified or unmodified nucleoside of NIn may be connected to adjacent modified or unmodified nucleosides of NIn by a odiester intemucleoside e or a phosphorothioate cleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, m is 1 and X1 and X2 are each phosphodiester.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprising a conjugated modified ucleotide described herein has Structure A: Ln-linker-MO; wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; and MO is a d oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprising a conjugated modified oligonucleotide described herein has Structure B: Ln-linker-Xl-Nm-Xz-MO; wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N is, independently, a d or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In certain embodiments, m is 2. In certain embodiments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, m is 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, when m is r than 1, each modified or unmodified nucleoside of NIn may be connected to nt modified or unmodified nucleosides of NIn by a phosphodiester intemucleoside linkage or a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage.

In certain ments, a nd comprising a conjugated modified oligonucleotide described herein has Structure C: Ln-linker-X-Nm-Y-MO; wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X is a phosphodiester linkage or a orothioate linkage; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In certain embodiments, m is 2. In certain embodiments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certainembodiments, m is 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, when m is greater than 1, each modified or unmodified nucleoside of NIn may be connected to nt modified or unmodified nucleosides of NIn by a phosphodiester intemucleoside linkage or phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage.

In certain ments, a compound comprising a conjugated modified oligonucleotide described herein has ure D: Ln-linker-Y-Nm-Y-MO; wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; each Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In some embodiments, m is 2. In certain embodiments, m is 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, when m is greater than 1, each modified or unmodified nucleoside of NIn may be connected to adjacent modified or unmodified nucleosides of NIn by a phosphodiester internucleoside linkage or phosphorothioate ucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, when n is greater than 1, the linker comprises a ld capable of linking more than one L to the remainder of the compound (i.e., to the modified oligonucleotide (M0), to Xl-Nm-Xz-MO, to X-Nm-Y-MO, etc.). In some such embodiments, the Ln-linker portion of the compound (such as a compound of ure A, B, C, or D) comprises Structure E: {L _ Q31: S _ Q” _S \ n n each L is, ndently, a ligand; n is from 1 to 10; S is a scaffold; and Q’ and Q” are, independently, linking groups.

In certain embodiments, each Q’ and Q” is independently selected from a e, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2- C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 l, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid.

In certain embodiments, a scaffold links 2, 3, 4, or 5 ligands to a modified oligonucleotide. In n ments, a scaffold links 3 ligands to a modified oligonucleotide.

A nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(i): NR1Q'1L1 ZN o NRgQ'3L3 wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a tuted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each ed from H and .

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(ii): OQ'1L1 OQ'2L2 "QR1 N OQ'3L3 wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1 is selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a tuted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some ments, R1 is selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments, R1 is H or methyl.

A further iting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(iii): NR 0' L2 2 2 NR3Q'3L3 "QR4N wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, ndently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a tuted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 l, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, , isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each selected from H and methyl.

A r nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(iV): L1Q'1R1N NR3Q" NRZQ'ZLZ wherein L1 and L2 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’z, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 , amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- idomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, , isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and methyl.

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(V): L1Q'1R1N NRZQ'ZLZ o NR3Q" wherein L1 and L2 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, and Q” are each, ndently, a linking group; and R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 l, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 , a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and ohexanoic acid. In some ments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, ed from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and methyl.

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(Vi): LQ’RN2 2 2 NR1Q’1L1 wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’1, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, pyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and methyl.

A r nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is ure E(Vii): NRZQ’ZLZ NR3Q’3L3 O\ /O O\ /O O\ /O\ L1Q1R1N, P P P Q,.

//\Z’ //\Z’ //\Z’ CH3 Z CH3 Z CH3 Z wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, ed from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl; and Z and Z’ are each independently selected from O and S.

In some embodiments, Q’l, Q’g, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 , a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- idomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, and R3 are each selected from H and methyl. In some embodiments, Z or Z’ on at least one P atom is S, and the other Z or Z’ is O (i.e., a phosphorothioate linkage). In some embodiments, each —OP(Z)(Z’)O- is a phosphorothioate e. In some embodiments, Z and Z’ are both 0 on at least one P atom (i.e., a phosphodiester linkage). In some embodiments, each —OP(Z)(Z’)O- is a phosphodiester linkage.

A further nonlimiting exemplary Structure E is Structure E(Viii): NRZQ'ZLZ "QR4N NQK rN/V NR3Q'3L3 L1Q'1R1N wherein L1, L2, and L3 are each, independently, a ligand; Q’1, Q’Z, Q3, and Q” are each, independently, a linking group; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, ndently, selected from H, C1-C6 alkyl, and substituted C1-C6 alkyl.

In some embodiments, Q’l, Q’z, Q’3, and Q” are each, independently, selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 l, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexanecarboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. In some embodiments, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, and butyl. In some embodiments R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each selected from H and methyl.

Nonlimiting exemplary scaffolds and/or linkers comprising scaffolds, and sis thereof, are described, e.g., PCT Publication No.

No. 2012/0157509 A1; US. Patent No. 517; US. Patent No. 7,491,805 B2; US. Patent No. 8,313,772 B2; Manoharan, M., Chapter 16, Antisense Drug Technology, Crooke, S.T., Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2001, 391-469.

In certain embodiments, the ker portion of the nd comprises Structure F: wherein: B is ed from —O-, -S-, -N(RN)-, —Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-, —Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-X-, and —Z- P(Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-Y-; MO is a modified oligonucleotide; RN is selected from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and benzyl; Z, Z’, and Z” are each independently selected from O and S; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside; m is from 1 to 5; X is selected from a phosphodiester linkage and a phosphorothioate linkage; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and the wavy line tes the connection to the rest of the linker and ligand(s).

In certain embodiments, the wavy line indicates a connection to Structure E, above.

In certain embodiments, n is from 1 to 5, l to 4, l to 3, or 1 to 2. In certain ments, n is 1.

In certain embodiments, n is 2. In certain embodiments, n is 3. In certain embodiments, n is 4. In certain embodiments, n is 5.

In certain embodiments, the Ln-linker portion of the nd ses Structure G: "Q—s—QQ'—L)r1 wherein: B is selected from —O-, -S-, -N(RN)-, —Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-, —Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-X-, and —Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-Y-; MO is a modified oligonucleotide; RN is ed from H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and benzyl; Z, Z’, and Z” are each independently selected from O and S; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside; m is from 1 to 5; X is selected from a phosphodiester linkage and a phosphorothioate linkage; Y is a phosphodiester e; each L is, independently, a ligand; n is from 1 to 10; S is a scaffold; and Q’ and Q” are, ndently, linking groups.

In certain embodiments, each Q’ and Q” are independently selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2- C20 l, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N- maleimidomethyl) cyclohexane-l-carboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid.

A nonlimiting exemplary LII-linker portion (e.g., of Structure F or G) of a nd is shown in Structure H below: n the wavy line indicates attachment to the modified oligonucleotide (M0), to X1, 6.g. in Structure B, or to X or Y, e.g., in Stucture C, or D.

In certain embodiments, each ligand is a carbohydrate. A compound comprising a carbohydrate- conjugated modified oligonucleotide, when ized by a cell surface lectin, is transported across the cell membrane into the cell. In certain embodiments, a cell e lectin is a C-type lectin. In certain embodiments, the C-type lectin is present on a Kuppfer cell. In certain embodiments, a C-type lectin is present on a macrophage. In certain ments, a C-type lectin is present on an endothelial cell. In certain embodiments, a C—type lectin is present on a te. In certain embodiments, a C-type lectin is present on a yte. In certain embodiments, a C-type lectin is present on a dendritic cell. In certain embodiments, a C-type lectin is present on a B cell. A conjugate may facilitate uptake of an anti-miR-122 compound into any cell type that expresses a C-type lectin.

In certain embodiments, a C-type lectin is the asialoglycoprotein or (ASGPR). In certain embodiments, a conjugate comprises one or more s having y for the ASGPR, including but not limited to galactose or a galactose derivative. In certain embodiments, a ligand having affinity for the ASGPR is N—acetylgalactosamine, galactose, galactosamine, N—formylgalactosamine, N—propionyl- osamine, N-n-butanoylgalactosamine, or N-iso-butanoyl-galactosamine. Such conjugates facilitate the uptake of compounds into cells that express the ASGPR, for example, cytes and dendritic cells.

In certain embodiments, a ligand is a carbohydrate selected from mannose, glucose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, fructose, fucose, xylose, D-mannose, L-mannose, D-galactose, L-galactose, D-glucose, L-glucose, D-ribose, L-ribose, D-arabinose, L-arabinose, D-fructose, L-fructose, D-fucose, L-fucose, D- xylose, L-xylose, alpha-D-mannofuranose, beta-D-mannofuranose, alpha-D-mannopyranose, beta-D- mannopyranose, alpha-D-glucofuranose, Beta-D-glucofuranose, D-glucopyranose, beta-D- glucopyranose, alpha-D-galactofuranose, beta-D-galactofuranose, D-galactopyranose, beta-D- galactopyranose, alpha-D-ribofuranose, beta-D-ribofuranose, alpha-D-ribopyranose, beta-D-ribopyranose, alpha-D-fructofuranose, alpha-D-fructopyranose, glucosamine, galactosamine, sialic acid, and N- acetylgalactosamine.

In certain ments, a ligand is selected from N—acetylgalactosamine, galactose, galactosamine, N—formylgalactosamine, N—propionyl-galactosamine, N-n-butanoylgalactosamine, and N- iso-butanoyl-galactosamine.

In certain embodiments, a ligand is N—acetylgalactosamine.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises the structure: NH \L/Vfifi ‘74:;0 Nm ll L l 0 j»; \3 X»; (,z“",‘ w , on, \ 3* NH“,> \ N NH ,OLE i \ \ A \ H U V ‘ ‘ I I 3 ill 0 0 0 Cl) 0 . (I) \ ”NH/“0 , ,m ,aNH " II wherein each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified side and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In certain embodiments, m is 2. In certain embodiments, m is 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, when m is greater than 1, each modified or fied nucleoside ofNIn may be connected to nt modified or unmodified nucleosides ofNIn by a phosphodiester cleoside linkage or phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, a compound ses the structure: \ “fix“,O Tm H x (A? (54.4, ‘ ‘\ J ‘ N Ni-j toxfngN‘FH_, \ \ \ \ \ L T!" *~ \~ ‘ ‘~ ‘~ "‘0 cl) 0 A {H} wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In n embodiments, m is 2. In certain ments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, m is 3, 4, or 5. In n embodiments, when m is greater than 1, each modified or unmodified nucleoside ofNIn may be connected to nt modified or unmodified nucleosides ofNIn by a phosphodiester internucleoside linkage or phosphorothioate ucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises a modified nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the modified oligonucleotide has the structure CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL (SEQ ID NO: 7), wherein the subscript “L” tes an LNA and nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D- deoxyribonucleosides, and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, and wherein the conjugate moiety is linked to the 3’ us of the modified oligonucleotide and has the structure: l H X1 film"? H ‘T' , N\ x \ \ \ Elmo wherein each N is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, all of the CL nucleosides are MCCL nucleosides, wherein the superscript “Me” indicates 5-methylcytosine.

In some embodiments, a compound has the structure: wherein each N is, ndently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a odiester linkage or a phosphorothioate e; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, at least one of X1 and X2 is a phosphodiester e. In certain embodiments, each of X1 and X2 is a phosphodiester linkage.

In certain embodiments, m is 1. In certain embodiments, m is 2. In certain embodiments, m is 3, 4, or 5. In certain ments, m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, when m is greater than 1, each modified or fied nucleoside ofNIn may be connected to adjacent modified or unmodified nucleosides of NIn by a phosphodiester intemucleoside linkage or a orothioate intemucleoside linkage.

In any of the embodiments described herein, Nm may be N’pN”, where each N’ is, ndently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and p is from O to 4; and N” is a nucleoside comprising an unmodified sugar moiety.

In certain ments, p is O. In certain embodiments, p is l, 2, 3, or 4. In certain embodiments, when p is 1, 2, 3, or 4, each N’ comprises an unmodified sugar moiety.

In n embodiments, an unmodified sugar moiety is a B-D-ribose or a B-D-deoxyribose.

In certain ments, where p is 1, 2, 3, or 4, N’ comprises a purine nucleobase. In certain ments, N” comprises a purine nucleobase. In certain embodiments, a purine nucleobase is selected from adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and 7-methylguanine. In certain embodiments, N’ is a B- D-deoxyriboadenosine or a oxyriboguanosine. In certain embodiments, N” is a B-D- deoxyriboadenosine or a B-D-deoxyriboguanosine.

In certain embodiments, p is l, N’ and N” are each a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine, and N’ and N” are linked by a phosphodiester intemucleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, p is l, N’ and N” are each a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine, and N’ and N” are linked by a phosphodiester intemucleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, p is l, N’ and N” are each a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine, and N’ and N” are linked by a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, where p is l, 2, 3, or 4, N’ comprises a pyrimidine nucleobase. In certain embodiments, N” comprises a dine nucleobase. In certain embodiments, a pyrimidine nucleobase is selected from cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, thymine, uracil, and 5,6-dihydrouracil.

In certain embodiments, the sugar moiety of each N is independently ed from a B-D-ribose, a B-D-deoxyribose, a 2’-O-methoxy sugar, a 2’-O-methyl sugar, a 2’-fluoro sugar, and a bicyclic sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, each bicyclic sugar moiety is independently selected from a cEt sugar moiety, an LNA sugar moiety, and an ENA sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, the cEt sugar moiety is an S-cEt sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, the cEt sugar moiety is an R-cEt sugar moiety.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises the structure: wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage; m is 1; N is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine; Y is a phosphodiester e; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises the structure: n X is a phosphodiester linkage; m is 2; each N is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine; the nucleosides ofN are linked by a phosphodiester internucleoside linkage; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is a modified oligonucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises a modified nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the modified ucleotide has the structure AEMeCEAEMCCEMCCEAETETGUSCSACSACSTCSCs (SEQ ID NO: 4), where nucleosides not ed by a subscript are B-D-deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “E” are 2’-MOE nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides; and each intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage; and wherein the conjugate moiety is linked to the 3’ us of the modified oligonucleotide and has the structure: \ (\filnfio \ Tm 0*“ ‘ ’ :\ M \NH ,LH, H N L W" O “w" “ » ’ ’ “ “ “ ‘0 _ #5:"; (m \H \o wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage; m is 1; N is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is the modified ucleotide.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises a modified nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the d oligonucleotide has the structure CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL (SEQ ID NO: 7), wherein the subscript “L” indicates an LNA and nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D- deoxyribonucleosides, and each intemucleoside e is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage, and n the conjugate moiety is linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and has the structure: \ Hfc3 Nm d“ K ‘3 x N "H \.;..o..L§ \ , w , ,k r ' ",5 H " ‘ 5’ 0 0 $"" 0 ., 5H} \ “‘0 wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage; m is 1; N is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, all of the CL sides are MCCL nucleosides, wherein the superscript “Me” indicates 5-methylcytosine.

In certain ments, a modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence and modifications as shown in Table 2. Nucleosides and nucleobases are indicated as follows: the superscript “Me” indicates -methylcytosine; nucleosides not followed by a subscript are oxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “E” are 2’-MOE nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides; and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

OHw OZ v E a 9.52:: canomfioo canomfioo 20:3 «owmvfifi a E HEN 20:3 E dwfifi: a E HEN HEN Emomvoammoam 20:3 GA HEN “om «owmvfifi an «owmvfifi 20:3 “om an «owmvfifi n nUm ovowm nUm nUm uUm 32wa 2:3 E 2:3 E A<E A<E «owmvfifi ovowm «owmvfifi 30% owmvfifi ovowm A; -OJN 628225 ,8 02 ,8 BaoEHoanonoaoH 02 353m oEwEnH a a 3 a a Ho BaoEHoanfiHoafiH BaoEHoanfiHmoam 230.88 353m amoam A; 230.88 353m BaoEHoanfiHoafiH 38958 E oEmooHosfinxooU Ho Ho E Ho E E a flag—:5 HEN E HEN E H 52 H H H 298% X 52 BaoEHoanfiHoafiH H 298% X 6:50.88 :3 ovowm 20:3 owmvHEH 52 ovowm 2303% a E E a E a “H E a E E E E E E E E On a 02 2303% On E oEmooHosfinxooU BaoEHoanfiHmoam 02 2303% On E HNEHPAEBHBE anfiHmoam 02 oEBoHEm On «EammEaH/HuHEE BaoEHoanfiHmoam 02 HZmHL<m SESoHosacwHHc gage: mm coaawigv 32395—32 ”N HEN Bash Ham Aogwmoo-©mmv 35.5% QMHO\ -OBERNmHHDOmMH 3:6 wwmwm Hnmwm wmvwm mmvwm nmmwm wmmwm In certain embodiments, a nd ed herein comprises a modified nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the modified oligonucleotide has the structure CSASCSASCSUSCSCS (SEQ ID NO: 9), wherein the ipt “S” indicates an S-cEt and nucleosides not ed by a subscript are B-D- deoxyribonucleosides, and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage, and wherein the conjugate moiety is linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and has the structure: wherein X1 and X2 are phosphodiester linkages; m is l; N is a B-D-deoxyriboadenosine; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide.

Additional moieties for ation to a modified oligonucleotide include phenazine, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes. In certain embodiments, a conjugate group is attached directly to a d oligonucleotide.

Certain Metabolic Products Upon exposure to exonucleases and/or endonucleases in vitro or in vivo, compounds may undergo cleavage at various positions throughout the compound. The ts of such cleavage may retain some degree of the ty of the parent compound, and as such are considered active lites. As such, a metabolic product of a compound may be used in the methods described herein. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide (unconjugated or conjugated) undergoes cleavage at the 5’ end and/or the 3’ end, resulting in a metabolic product that has 1, 2, or 3 fewer nucleotides at the 5’ end and/or the 3’ end, relative to the parent modified ucleotide. In n embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide undergoes ge at the 5’ end, releasing the minal nucleotide and resulting in a metabolic product that has 1 less nucleotide at the 5’ end, relative to the parent modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide undergoes cleavage at the 5’ end, ing two 5’-terminal nucleosides and resulting in a metabolic product that has two fewer nucleotides at the 5’ end, relative to the parent modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide undergoes cleavage at the 3’ end, releasing the 3’-termninal nucleotide and resulting in a metabolic product that has one less nucleotide at the 3’ end, relative to the parent modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide undergoes cleavage at the 3’ end, ing two 3’-terminal nucleosides and resulting in a metabolic product that has two fewer nucleotides at the 3’ end, relative to the parent modified oligonucleotide.

Compounds comprising modified oligonucleotide linked to a ate moiety may also undergo cleavage at a site within the linker between the modified oligonucleotide and the ligand. In certain embodiments, cleavage yields the parent modified oligonucleotide comprising a portion of the conjugate moiety. In certain embodiments, cleavage yields the parent modified oligonucleotide comprising one or more subunits of the linker between the modified oligonucleotide and the ligand. For example, where a compound has the structure Ln-linker-Nm-P-MO, in some ments, cleavage yields the parent modified oligonucleotide comprising one or more tides ofNm. In some embodiments, cleavage of a conjugated modified ucleotide yields the parent modified oligonucleotide. In some such embodiments, for example, where a compound has the structure Ln-linker-Nm-P-MO, in some embodiments, ge yields the parent modified oligonucleotide without any of the nucleotides of Nm. n Nucleobase Sequences Nucleobase sequences of mature 2 and its corresponding stem-loop sequence are found in miRBase, an online searchable database of microRNA sequences and annotation, found at microrna.sanger.ac.uk. Entries in the miRBase Sequence database represent a predicted hairpin portion of a microRNA transcript (the stem-loop), with information on the location and sequence of the mature microRNA sequence. The microRNA stem-loop ces in the database are not strictly precursor microRNAs (pre-microRNAs), and may in some instances e the pre-microRNA and some flanking sequence from the presumed primary transcript. The microRNA nucleobase sequences described herein encompass any n of the microRNA, including the sequences described in Release 15.0 of the miRBase ce database and sequences bed in any earlier Release of the miRBase sequence se. A sequence database release may result in the re-naming of certain microRNAs. The present invention encompasses modified oligonucleotides that are complementary to any nucleobase sequence version of the microRNAs bed .

In n embodiments, each nucleobase of a modified oligonucleotide targeted to miR-122 is capable of undergoing base-pairing with a nucleobase at a corresponding position in the nucleobase sequence of miR-122, or a precursor thereof. In certain embodiments the base sequence of a modified oligonucleotide may have one or more ched basepairs with respect to its target microRNA or precursor sequence, and remains capable of hybridizing to its target sequence.

In n embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-122 precursor, such as miR- 122 stem-loop sequence.

As miR-122 is contained within a miR-122 precursor sequence, a modified oligonucleotide haVing a nucleobase sequence complementary to miR-122 is also complementary to a region of a miR-122 In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to nucleobases 1 to 16, 1 to 17, 1 to 18, 1 to 19, 1 to 20, 1 to 21, or 1 to 22 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to nucleobases 2 to 16, 2 to 17, 2 to 18, 2 to 19, 2 to 20, 2 to 21, or 2 to 22 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In certain embodiments, a modified ucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to nucleobases 3 to 17, 3 to 18, 3 to 19, 3 to 20, 3 to 21, or 3 to 22 of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In n ments, the number of linked nucleosides of a modified oligonucleotide is less than the length of the miR-122, or a precursor thereof. In certain such embodiments, the oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to a region of miR-122, or a precursor thereof. A modified oligonucleotide haVing a number of linked sides that is less than the length of miR-122, wherein each base of a modified oligonucleotide is complementary to each nucleobase at a corresponding position in a miR-122 nucleobase sequence, is considered to be a modified oligonucleotide haVing a nucleobase sequence that is fully complementary to miR-122. For example, a modified ucleotide consisting of 19 linked nucleosides, where the nucleobases of nucleosides 1 through 19 are each complementary to a corresponding position of miR-122, where the miR-122 is 22 nucleobases in length, is fully complementary to 19 contiguous nucleobases of miR- 122. Such a modified ucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that is 100% complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-122.

In certain embodiments, the number of linked nucleosides of a modified oligonucleotide is one less than the length of the 2. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has one less nucleoside at the 5’ terminus. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has one less nucleoside at the 3’ terminus. In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide has two fewer nucleosides at the 5’ terminus. In certain embodiments, a modified ucleotide has two fewer nucleosides at the 3’ terminus.

In certain embodiments, 15 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 15 contiguous bases of miR-122. In certain embodiments, 16 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 16 contiguous nucleobases of miR- 122. In certain embodiments, 17 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 17 uous nucleobases of miR-122. In n embodiments, 18 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 18 contiguous nucleobases of miR- 122. In certain embodiments, 19 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 19 contiguous nucleobases of miR-122. In certain embodiments, 20 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 20 contiguous nucleobases of miR- 122. In certain embodiments, 21 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 21 contiguous nucleobases of miR-122. In certain embodiments, 22 contiguous nucleobases of a modified oligonucleotide are each complementary to 22 contiguous nucleobases of miR- In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide comprises a nucleobase sequence that is complementary to a seed sequence, i.e. a modified oligonucleotide comprises a atch sequence. In certain ments, a seed sequence is a hexamer seed sequence. In certain such embodiments, a seed sequence is bases 1-6 of 2. In certain such embodiments, a seed sequence is nucleobases 2- 7 of miR-122. In certain such ments, a seed sequence is nucleobases 3-8 of miR-122. In certain ments, a seed sequence is a heptamer seed ce. In certain such embodiments, a heptamer seed sequence is nucleobases 1-7 of miR-122. In certain such ments, a heptamer seed sequence is nucleobases 2-8 122. In certain embodiments, the seed sequence is an octamer seed sequence. In certain such embodiments, an octamer seed sequence is nucleobases 1-8 of 2. In certain embodiments, an octamer seed ce is nucleobases 2-9 of miR- 122.

In certain embodiments, the number of linked sides of a modified oligonucleotide is greater than the length the miR-122 sequence. In n such embodiments, the nucleobase of an additional nucleoside is complementary to a nucleobase of miR-122 stem-loop sequence. In certain embodiments, the number of linked nucleosides of a modified ucleotide is one greater than the length of miR- 122.

In certain such embodiments, the additional nucleoside is at the 5’ terminus of a modified oligonucleotide. In certain such embodiments, the onal nucleoside is at the 3’ us of a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the number of linked sides of a modified ucleotide is two greater than the length of miR-l22. In certain such embodiments, the two additional nucleosides are at the 5’ terminus of a d oligonucleotide. In certain such ments, the two additional sides are at the 3’ terminus of a d oligonucleotide. In certain such embodiments, one additional side is located at the 5’ terminus and one additional nucleoside is located at the 3’ terminus of a modified oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, a region of the oligonucleotide may be fully complementary to the nucleobase sequence of miR-122, but the entire modified oligonucleotide is not fully complementary to miR-l22. For example, a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 23 linked nucleosides, where the nucleobases of nucleosides 1 through 22 are each complementary to a corresponding position of miR-l22 that is 22 nucleobases in length, has a 22 nucleoside portion that is fully complementary to the base sequence ofmiR— 122.

In certain embodiments, a compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide attached to a ligand through a linker comprising one or more nucleosides. For the purposes of calculating percentage complementarity, any additional nucleosides of the linker are considered to be part of the linker and not part of the modified oligonucleotide. ingly, the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide of a conjugated compound may still be 100% complementary to miR— 122, even where the linker comprises one or more nucleosides that are not complementary to 2.

The miR-l22 nucleobase sequences set forth herein, including but not limited to those found in the examples and in the sequence listing, are independent of any modification to the nucleic acid. As such, nucleic acids defined by a SEQ ID NO may comprise, independently, one or more modifications to one or more sugar moieties, to one or more intemucleoside linkages, and/or to one or more nucleobases.

Although the ce listing accompanying this filing fies each nucleobase sequence as either “RNA” or “DNA” as ed, in practice, those sequences may be modified with any combination of chemical modifications. One of skill in the art will readily appreciate that such designation as “RNA” or “DNA” to describe modified oligonucleotides is somewhat arbitrary. For example, a modified oligonucleotide comprising a nucleoside comprising a 2’-OH sugar moiety and a thymine base could be described as a DNA haVing a modified sugar (2’-OH for the natural 2’-H of DNA) or as an RNA haVing a modified base (thymine (methylated uracil) for natural uracil of RNA).

Accordingly, nucleic acid ces provided herein, including, but not limited to, those in the sequence listing, are intended to encompass nucleic acids containing any combination of l or modified RNA and/or DNA, ing, but not limited to such nucleic acids haVing modified nucleobases. By way of further example and without tion, a modified ucleotide having the nucleobase ce “ATCGATCG” encompasses any oligonucleotide having such nucleobase sequence, whether modified or unmodified, including, but not limited to, such compounds comprising RNA bases, such as those having sequence “AUCGAUCG” and those having some DNA bases and some RNA bases such as “AUCGATCG” and oligonucleotides having other modified bases, such as “ATmeCGAUCG,” wherein meC indicates a 5-methylcytosine. Similarly, a modified ucleotide having the nucleobase ce “AUCGAUCG” encompasses any oligonucleotide having such nucleobase sequence, whether modified or unmodified, including, but not limited to, such compounds comprising DNA bases, such as those having sequence “ATCGATCG” and those having some DNA bases and some RNA bases such as “AUCGATCG” and oligonucleotides having other modified bases, such as “ATmeCGAUCG,” wherein meC indicates a 5-methylcytosine.

Certain Uses ofmiR-I22 Compositions The microRNA miR— 122 is a liver-expressed microRNA that is a critical endogenous “host factor” for the replication of HCV, and oligonucleotides targeting miR— 122 block HCV replication (Jopling et al. (2005) Science 309, 1). Inhibition of miR— 122 in chimpanzees chronically ed with the Hepatitis C virus reduced HCV RNA level. In HCV-infected patients, inhibition ofmiR-l22 resulted in a mean 2 log reduction in HCV RNA level after 5 weekly doses of anti-miR-l22 nd.

The compounds described herein are potent inhibitors of miR— 122 activity. ingly, provided here are s for the treatment of HCV infection, comprising a compound provided herein to an HCV- infected subject. ed herein are methods for treating an HCV-infected subject comprising administering to the subject a nd provided herein. In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise selecting an HCV-infected subject. In certain ments, the subject is a human.

In certain embodiments, the administering reduces the symptoms of HCV infection. Symptoms of HCV infection include, without limitation, pain over the liver, ce, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

Following an HCV treatment regimen, an HCV-infected subject may experience a decrease in HCV RNA level, followed by an increase in HCV RNA level, which uent increase is known as a rebound in HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein prevent a rebound in HCV RNA level. In certain ments, the compounds and methods provided herein delay a rebound in HCV RNA level.

HCV RNA level may be used to diagnose HCV infection, monitor disease activity and monitor a subject’s response to treatment. In certain embodiments, administering a compound provided herein reduces HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, a nd herein is administered at a dose that is sufficient to reduce HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise selecting a subject having an HCV RNA level greater than 350,000 copies per milliliter of serum, between 350,000 and 3,500,000 copies per milliliter of serum, or greater than 3,500,000 copies per milliliter of serum. In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise reducing HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise reducing HCV RNA level to below 200 copies per iter of serum, to below 100 copies per milliliter of serum, or to below 40 copies per milliliter of serum. HCV RNA level may be referred to as “viral load” or “HCV RNA titer.” s to HCV RNA level may be described as log s. For example, a drop from 60,000 to 600 would be a 2—log drop in HCV RNA level. In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein achieve a HCV RNA level decrease r than or equal to 2 logs. In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein achieve an HCV RNA level decrease of at least 0.5 fold, at least 1.0 fold, at least 1.5 fold, at least 2.0 fold, or at least 2.5 fold.

In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise achieving a sustained virological response.

HCV-infected subjects may develop HCV-associated diseases. The major hepatological consequence ofHCV infection is cirrhosis and complications thereof including hemorrhage, hepatic insufficiency, and hepatocellular carcinoma. An additional complication is is, which is the result of chronic inflammation causing the deposition of extracellular matrix ent, which leads to distortion of the c architecture and blockage of the microcirculation and liver function. As cirrhosis sses and the fibrotic tissue builds up, severe necroinflammatory activity ensues and steatosis begins. Steatosis leads to extrahepatic pathologies including diabetes, n malnutrition, hypertension, cell , obesity, and anoxia. As fibrosis and steatosis becomes severe the liver will eventually fail and require liver lantation. fected subjects may also develop hepatocellular carcinoma. In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject has an HCV-associated disease. In certain embodiments, the HCV-associated disease is cirrhosis, fibrosis, steatohepatitis, steatosis, and/or cellular carcinoma.

In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject has one or more diseases. In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject is infected with one or more s other than HCV. In certain embodiments, an HCV-infected subject is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The compounds provided herein may be itantly administered with one or more additional therapeutic agents. In certain embodiments, the one or more onal therapeutic agents comprises an immune therapy, an immunomodulator, therapeutic vaccine, antif1brotic agent, anti-inflammatory agent, bronchodilator, mucolytic agent, anti-muscarinic, anti-leukotriene, inhibitor of cell adhesion, anti-oxidant, cytokine agonist, cytokine antagonist, lung tant, antimicrobial, anti-viral agent, CV agent, an anti-cancer agent, an anti-miR-122 compound, an RNAi agent or a cyclophilin inhibitor.

In certain embodiments, the one or more additional therapeutic agents may be selected from a protease tor, a polymerase inhibitor, a cofactor inhibitor, an RNA polymerase inhibitor, a structural protein inhibitor, a non-structural protein inhibitor, a cyclophilin inhibitor, an entry inhibitor, a TLR7 agonist, and an interferon.

In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is a modified oligonucleotide having the structure CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL (SEQ ID NO: 7), where sides not followed by a subscript indicate oxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “L” indicate LNA nucleosides; and each intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside e. In certain embodiments, a therapeutic agent is a -conjugated CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL (SEQ ID NO: 7). In some embodiments, all of the CL nucleosides are MCCL nucleosides, wherein the superscript “Me” indicates 5-methylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, the onal therapeutic agent is selected from a protease inhibitor, an NSSA inhibitor, an NS3/4A inhibitor, a nucleoside NSSB inhibitor, a nucleotide NSSB inhibitor, a non- side NSSB inhibitor, a cyclophilin inhibitor and an interferon.

In certain ments, the additional therapeutic agent is selected from interferon alfa-2a, interferon alpha-2b, eron alfacon-l, peginterferon 2b, peginterferon alpha-2a, interferon- alpha-2b extensed release, interferon lambda, sofosbuvir, ribavirin, telapravir, boceprevir, vaniprevir, asunaprevir, ritonavir, setrobuvir, daclastavir, simeprevir, alisporivir, mericitabine, tegobuvir, danoprevir, sovaprevir, and neceprevir. In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is selected from faldaprevir, ABT-450, MK-5172, mericitabine, ledipasvir, ombitasvir, GS-S816, MK-8742, dasabuvir, BMS-791325, and ABT-O72.

In certain embodiments, the onal therapeutic agent is selected from an interferon, ribavirin, and telapravir. In certain ments, the interferon is selected from interferon alfa-2a, interferon alpha- 2b, eron alfacon-l, peginterferon alpha-2b, and peginterferon alpha-2a.

In certain embodiments, the additional eutic agent includes peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin. For example, a subject may receive a therapy that comprises a compound provided herein, peginterferon 2b and ribavirin. In certain embodiments, the at least one additional therapeutic agent includes peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin. For example, a subject may receive a therapy that comprises a compound provided herein, peginterferon alpha-2a and rin. In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agents are svir and ABT-450. In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agents are revir, daclatasvir, and EMS-791325. In certain embodiments, the additional therapeutic agents are sofosbuvir and ledipasivr. In certain ments, the additional therapeutic agents are MK-8742 and MK-5172.

Certain subjects receiving a certain therapy, for example interferon or ribaviran therapy, may not experience a significant or eutically beneficial reduction in HCV RNA level. Such subjects may benefit from administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents. In certain embodiments, a subject of the s provided herein is a sponder. In certain embodiments, a subject is an eron non-responder. In certain embodiments, a subject is a direct-acting anti-viral non-responder.

In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is an iral agent used in the treatment of HIV ion. In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is a nucleoside reverse riptase inhibitors (NRTIs). In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is a protease inhibitor. In certain embodiments, an additional eutic agent is an entry inhibitor or fusion inhibitor. In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is an integrase inhibitor. In certain embodiments, an additional therapeutic agent is selected from efavirenz, rine, nevirapine, abacavir, emtricitabine, vir, lamivudine, zidovudine, atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, ritonavir, enfuvirtide, maraviroc, and raltegravir.

A t infected with HCV may experience abnormal liver function, which is assessed by measuring one or more of bilirubin, albumin, and prothombin time. Measurement of the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is performed to assess liver inflammation. One or more abnormal levels of these markers may indicate abnormal liver function. In certain embodiments, the methods provided herein comprise normalizing liver function. In certain embodiments, the s provided herein comprise normalizing liver enzyme levels.

In any of the methods provided, herein, the nd may be present in a pharmaceutical ition.

The compounds ed herein may be for use in therapy. In certain embodiments, the compound is for use in treating an HCV-infected subject. In certain embodiments, the subject is a human.

The compound for use in treating an HCV-infected subject may, in certain embodiments, be for use in any method of treatment bed herein.

Provided herein are methods comprising administering a compound provided herein to a subject having a miRassociated condition. In certain embodiments, a miRassociated condition is HCV infection.

In certain embodiments, a miR- 122-associated condition is ed cholesterol. In certain embodiments, administration of an anti-miR— 122 compound to a subject results in reduced serum cholesterol. Accordingly, in n embodiments, provided herein are methods of lowering cholesterol in a subject, comprising administering to a subject a compound provided herein. In n embodiments, cholesterol levels may be used as a biomarker to assess the activity of an iR-122 compound provided herein, alone or in addition to another tor of efficacy, e.g. reduction in HCV RNA levels.

Accordingly, provided herein are methods sing administering a compound provided herein to a subject, collecting a blood sample from the subject, and measuring cholesterol in the blood sample from the subject. The level of cholesterol may be used as an indicator of anti-miR-122 compound activity in the subject.

In certain embodiments, a miR- 122-associated condition is steatosis. Accordingly, in n embodiments, provided herein are s of reducing steatosis in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a nd provided herein.

In n embodiments, a miR- 122-associated condition is an iron overload disorder. An iron overload disorder may occur as a result of a genetic mutation that causes the body to absorb excess amounts of iron. An iron overload disorder may also have non-genetic causes, including but not limited to chronic blood transfusions, chronic hepatitis, or ingestion of an excess amount of iron. In certain ments, an iron overload disorder is selected from transfusional iron overload, dietary iron overload, hereditary hemochromatosis, sickle cell disease, semia, X-linked sideroblastic anemia, pyruvate kinase deficiency, and glucosephosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. In n embodiments, an iron overload disorder is a hereditary hemochromatosis selected from hemochromatosis type 1, hemochromatosis type 2A, hemochromatosis type 23, hemochromatosis type 3, hemochromatosis type 4 (or ferroportin disease), African hemochromatosis, neonatal hemochromatosis, aceruloplasminemia, and atransferrinemia. In certain embodiments, administration of a compound provided herein to a subject having an iron overload disorder results in reduction of excess iron in the body of the t.

Certain Modifications A modified ucleotide may comprise one or more modifications to a nucleobase, sugar, and/or intemucleoside linkage. A modified nucleobase, sugar, and/or intemucleoside linkage may be selected over an unmodified form because of desirable properties such as, for e, enhanced ar uptake, enhanced affinity for other oligonucleotides or nucleic acid targets and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide comprises one or more modified nucleosides.

In certain embodiments, a modified nucleoside is a izing nucleoside. An e of a stabilizing nucleoside is a 2’-modified nucleoside.

In certain embodiments, a modified nucleoside comprises a modified sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, a modified side comprising a modified sugar moiety comprises an unmodified nucleobase. In certain embodiments, a modified sugar ses a modified nucleobase. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleoside is a 2’-modified side.

In certain embodiments, a 2’-modified side comprises a bicyclic sugar moiety. In certain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is a D sugar in the alpha configuration. In certain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is a D sugar in the beta configuration. In certain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is an L sugar in the alpha ration. In certain such embodiments, the ic sugar moiety is an L sugar in the beta configuration.

In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises a bridge group between the 2' and the 4'-carbon atoms. In certain such embodiments, the bridge group comprises from 1 to 8 linked cal groups. In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises from 1 to 4 linked biradical groups.

In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises 2 or 3 linked biradical groups. In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises 2 linked biradical groups. Examples of such 4’ to 2’ sugar substituents, include, but are not limited to: -[C(Ra)(Rb)]n-, -[C(Ra)(Rb)]n-O-, -C(RaRb)-N(R)-O- or, —C(RaRb)-O-N(R)-; 4'-CH2-2', 4'-(CH2)2-2', 4'-(CH2)3-2'; 4'-(CH2)-O-2' (LNA); 4'-(CH2)-S-2'; 4'-(CH2)2- O-2' (ENA); 4'-CH(CH3)-O-2' (cEt) and 4'-CH(CH20CH3)-O-2', and analogs f (see, e.g., US.

Patent 7,399,845, issued on July 15, 2008); H3)(CH3)-O-2' and analogs thereof, (see, e.g., /006478, published January 8, 2009); 4'—CH2-N(OCH3)-2' and analogs thereof (see, e.g., WO2008/150729, published December 11, 2008); 4'-CH2-O-N(CH3)-2' (see, e.g., US2004/0171570, published September 2, 2004 ); 4'-CH2-O-N(R)-2', and 4'-CH2-N(R)-O-2'-, wherein each Ris, independently, H, a protecting group, or C1-C12 alkyl; -N(R)-O-2', wherein R is H, C1-C12 alkyl, or a ting group (see, US. Patent 7,427,672, issued on September 23, 2008); 4'-CH2-C(H)(CH3)-2' (see, e.g., Chattopadhyaya, er al., J. Org. Chem.,2009, 74, 118-134); and 4'-CH2-C(=CH2)-2' and s thereof (see, published PCT International Application WC 2008/ 154401, published on December 8, 2008).

In n embodiments, such 4’ to 2’ bridges independently comprise l or from 2 to 4 linked groups independently selected from -[C(Ra)(Rb)]n-, -C(Ra)=C(Rb)-, -C(Ra)=N-, -C(=NRa)-, -C(=O)-, - C(=S)-, , -Si(Ra)2-, -S(=0)x-, and -N(Ra)-; wherein: x is O, l, or 2; nis l, 2, 3, or4; each Ra and Rb is, ndently, H, a protecting group, hydroxyl, C1-C12 alkyl, substituted C1- C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, substituted C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 l, substituted C2-C12 alkynyl, C5-C20 aryl, substituted C5-C20 aryl, heterocycle radical, substituted heterocycle radical, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, C5-C7 alicyclic radical, substituted C5-C7 alicyclic radical, halogen, OJ1, NJ1J2, SJ1, N3, COOJ1, acyl (C(=O)-H), substituted acyl, CN, sulfonyl (S(=O)2-J1), or sulfoxyl (S(=O)-J1); and each J1 and J2 is, independently, H, C1-C12 alkyl, substituted C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 l, substituted C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 l, substituted C2-C12 alkynyl, C5-C20 aryl, substituted C5-C20 aryl, acyl (C(=O)-H), substituted acyl, a heterocycle radical, a substituted heterocycle radical, C1-C12 aminoalkyl, substituted C1-C12 aminoalkyl, or a protecting group.

Nucleosides comprising bicyclic sugar moieties are referred to as ic nucleosides or BNAs.

In certain embodiments, bicyclic nucleosides e, but are not limited to, (A) ethyleneoxy (4’- CHz-O-Z’) BNA; (B) B-D-Methyleneoxy (4’-CH2-O-2’) BNA; (C) Ethyleneoxy H2)2-O-2’) BNA; (D) Aminooxy (4’-CH2-O-N(R)-2’) BNA; (E) Oxyamino (4’-CH2-N(R)-O-2’) BNA; (F) Methyl(methyleneoxy) (4’-CH(CH3)-O-2’) BNA (also referred to as constrained ethyl or cEt); (G) methylene-thio (4’-CH2-S-2’) BNA; (H) methylene-amino (4’-CH2-N(R)-2’) BNA; (1) methyl carbocyclic (4’-CH2-CH(CH3)-2’) BNA; (J) c-MOE (4’-CH2-OMe-2’) BNA and (K) propylene carbocyclic (4’-(CH2)3-2’) BNA as depicted below. i OBX i OBX O~O BX i \o \o (A) (B) (C) i O BX w W W (1) (G) R (H) CH3 E O BX i O BX (J) ~ CH3 M wherein Bx is a nucleobase moiety and R is, independently, H, a protecting group, or C1-C12 alkyl.

In certain embodiments, a 2’-modified nucleoside comprises a 2'-substituent group selected from halo, allyl, amino, azido, SH, CN, OCN, CF3, OCF3, 0-, S-, or N(Rm)-alkyl; 0-, S-, or N(Rm)-alkenyl; 0-, S- or N(Rm)-alkynyl; O-alkylenyl-O-alkyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl, O-aralkyl, O(CH2)ZSCH3, O-(CH2)2-O-N(Rm)(Rn) or O-CHz-C(=O)-N(Rm)(Rn), where each Rm and RI1 is, independently, H, an amino protecting group or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl. These 2'—substituent groups can be further substituted with one or more substituent groups independently selected from hydroxyl, amino, alkoxy, carboxy, benzyl, phenyl, nitro (N02), thiol, thioalkoxy (S-alkyl), halogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl and alkynyl.

In certain embodiments, a 2’-modified nucleoside comprises a 2’-substituent group selected from F, NHZ, N3, OCF3, O-CH3, O(CH2)3NH2, CHz-CH=CH2, O-CHz-CH=CH2, OCHZCHZOCHg, O(CH2)ZSCH3, O-(CH2)2-O-N(Rm)(Rn), -O(CH2)20(CH2)2N(CH3)2, and N—substituted acetamide (O-CHQC (Rm)(Rn) where each Rm and R11 is, independently, H, an amino protecting group or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl.

In certain ments, a 2’-modified nucleoside comprises a 2’-substituent group selected from F, OCF3, O-CH3, OCHZCHZOCHg, 2'-O(CH2)ZSCH3, )2-O-N(CH3)2, -O(CH2)ZO(CH2)2N(CH3)2, and O-CHz-C(=O)-N(H)CH3.

In n ments, a 2’-modified nucleoside comprises a 2’-substituent group ed from F, O-CH3, and OCHZCHZOCH3.

In certain embodiments, a ified nucleoside is a 4’-thio modified nucleoside. In certain embodiments, a 2’-modified nucleoside is a 4’-thio-2’-modified nucleoside. A 4'—thio modified side has a B-D-ribonucleoside where the 4'-O replaced with 4'-S. A 4'-thio-2'-modified side is a 4'-thio modified nucleoside having the 2'-OH replaced with a 2'—substituent group. Suitable 2’-substituent groups include 2'—OCH3, 2'—O-(CH2)2-OCH3, and 2'-F.

In certain embodiments, a modified oligonucleotide comprises one or more internucleoside modifications. In certain such embodiments, each intemucleoside linkage of a modified oligonucleotide is a modified intemucleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, a modified intemucleoside linkage comprises a phosphorus atom.

In certain ments, a modified ucleotide ses at least one phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage. In certain embodiments, each internucleoside linkage of a modified oligonucleotide is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

In certain embodiments, a modified internucleoside e does not comprise a phosphorus atom. In certain such embodiments, an internucleoside linkage is formed by a short chain alkyl internucleoside linkage. In certain such embodiments, an internucleoside linkage is formed by a cycloalkyl intemucleoside linkages. In certain such embodiments, an intemucleoside linkage is formed by a mixed heteroatom and alkyl intemucleoside linkage. In certain such ments, an intemucleoside linkage is formed by a mixed heteroatom and cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages. In certain such embodiments, an intemucleoside e is formed by one or more short chain heteroatomic intemucleoside es. In certain such ments, an intemucleoside linkage is formed by one or more cyclic intemucleoside linkages. In certain such embodiments, an intemucleoside linkage has an amide backbone. In certain such embodiments, an ucleoside linkage has mixed N, O, S and CH2 component parts.

In certain ments, a d oligonucleotide comprises one or more modified nucleobases. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleobase is selected from 7-deazaguanine, 7- deazaadenine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleobase is ed from 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N- 2, N—6 and 0-6 substituted purines, including 2 aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5- propynylcytosine.

In certain embodiments, a modified nucleobase comprises a polycyclic heterocycle. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleobase comprises a tricyclic heterocycle. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleobase comprises a phenoxazine derivative. In certain embodiments, the phenoxazine can be further modified to form a nucleobase known in the art as a G-clamp.

In certain such ments, the compound comprises a modified ucleotide having one or more stabilizing groups that are ed to one or both termini of a modified oligonucleotide to enhance properties such as, for example, nuclease stability. ed in stabilizing groups are cap structures.

These terminal modifications protect a modified oligonucleotide from exonuclease degradation, and can help in delivery and/or zation within a cell. The cap can be present at the 5'—terminus (5'-cap), or at the 3'-terminus (3'-cap), or can be present on both termini. Cap structures include, for example, inverted deoxy abasic caps.

Suitable cap structures include a 4',5'-methylene nucleotide, a 1-(beta-D-erythrofuranosyl) nucleotide, a 4'-thio nucleotide, a yclic nucleotide, a 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleotide, an L- nucleotide, an alpha-nucleotide, a d base nucleotide, a phosphorodithioate linkage, a threo- pentofuranosyl nucleotide, an acyclic 3',4'—seco nucleotide, an acyclic 3,4-dihydroxybutyl nucleotide, an acyclic 3,5-dihydroxypentyl nucleotide, a 3'-3'-inverted nucleotide moiety, a 3'-3'-inverted abasic moiety, a 3'-2'-inverted nucleotide moiety, a 3'-2'-inverted abasic moiety, a l,4-butanediol phosphate, a 3'- phosphoramidate, a hexylphosphate, an aminohexyl phosphate, a 3'-phosphate, a 3'—phosphorothioate, a phosphorodithioate, a bridging methylphosphonate moiety, and a idging methylphosphonate moiety 5'-amino-alkyl ate, a aminopropyl phosphate, 3-aminopropyl phosphate, a 6- aminohexyl ate, a inododecyl phosphate, a hydroxypropyl phosphate, a 5'-5'-inverted nucleotide moiety, a 5'-5'-inverted abasic moiety, a 5'-phosphoramidate, a 5'-phosphorothioate, a 5'- amino, a bridging and/or non-bridging 5'-phosphoramidate, a phosphorothioate, and a 5'-mercapto moiety.

Certain Synthesis Methods Modified ucleotides may be made with automated, solid phase synthesis methods known in the art. During solid phase synthesis, phosphoramidite rs are sequentially coupled to a nucleoside that is covalently linked to a solid support. This nucleoside is the 3’ terminal side of the modified oligonucleotide. Typically, the coupling cycle comprises four steps: ylation (removal of a 5’- hydroxyl protecting group with acid), coupling (attachment of an activated phosphoroamidite to the support bound nucleoside or oligonucleotide), oxidation or sulfurization rsion of a newly formed phosphite trimester with an oxidizing or sulfurizing agent), and capping lation of ted 5’- hydroxyl ). After the final coupling cycle, the solid support-bound oligonucleotide is subjected to a detritylation step, followed by a cleavage and deprotection step that simultaneously es the oligonucleotide from the solid support and removes the protecting groups from the bases. The solid support is removed by filtration, the filtrate is concentrated and the resulting solution is tested for identity and purity. The oligonucleotide is then purified, for e using a column packed with anion-exhange resin.

GalNAc-conjugated modified oligonucleotides may be made with automated solid phase synthesis, r to the solid phase synthesis that produced unconjugated oligonucleotides. During the synthesis of GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotides, the phosphoramidite monomers are sequentially coupled to a GalNAc conjugate which is covalently linked to a solid support. The synthesis of GalNAc conjugates and GalNAc conjugate solid support is described, for example, in US. Patent No. 8,106,022, and International Application Publication No. reference in its entiretly for the description of the synthesis of ydrate-containing conjugates, including conjugates comprising one or more GalNAc moieties, and of the synthesis of conjugate covalently linked to solid support.

Certain Pharmaceutical itions Any of the compounds ed herein may be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition is administered in the form of a dosage unit (e.g., tablet, e, bolus, etc.). In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a compound provided herein at a dose within a range selected from 25 mg to 800 mg, 25 mg to 700 mg, 25 mg to 600 mg, 25 mg to 500 mg, 25 mg to 400 mg, 25 mg to 300 mg, 25 mg to 200 mg, 25 mg to 100 mg, 100 mg to 800 mg, 200 mg to 800 mg, 300 mg to 800 mg, 400 mg to 800 mg, 500 mg to 800 mg, 600 mg to 800 mg, 100 mg to 700 mg, 150 mg to 650 mg, 200 mg to 600 mg, 250 mg to 550 mg, 300 mg to 500 mg, 300 mg to 400 mg, and 400 mg to 600 mg. In certain embodiments, such pharmaceutical compositions comprise a nd provided herein present at a dose selected from 25 mg, 30 mg, 35 mg, 40 mg, 45 mg, 50 mg, 55 mg, 60 mg, 65 mg, 70 mg, 75 mg, 80 mg, 85 mg, 90 mg, 95 mg, 100 mg, 105 mg, 110 mg, 115 mg, 120 mg, 125 mg, 130 mg, 135 mg, 140 mg, 145 mg, 150 mg, 155 mg, 160 mg, 165 mg, 170 mg, 175 mg, 180 mg, 185 mg, 190 mg, 195 mg, 200 mg, 205 mg, 210 mg, 215 mg, 220 mg, 225 mg, 230 mg, 235 mg, 240 mg, 245 mg, 250 mg, 255 mg, 260 mg, 265 mg, 270 mg, 270 mg, 280 mg, 285 mg, 290 mg, 295 mg, 300 mg, 305 mg, 310 mg, 315 mg, 320 mg, 325 mg, 330 mg, 335 mg, 340 mg, 345 mg, 350 mg, 355 mg, 360 mg, 365 mg, 370 mg, 375 mg, 380 mg, 385 mg, 390 mg, 395 mg, 400 mg, 405 mg, 410 mg, 415 mg, 420 mg, 425 mg, 430 mg, 435 mg, 440 mg, 445 mg, 450 mg, 455 mg, 460 mg, 465 mg, 470 mg, 475 mg, 480 mg, 485 mg, 490 mg, 495 mg, 500 mg, 505 mg, 510 mg, 515 mg, 520 mg, 525 mg, 530 mg, 535 mg, 540 mg, 545 mg, 550 mg, 555 mg, 560 mg, 565 mg, 570 mg, 575 mg, 580 mg, 585 mg, 590 mg, 595 mg, 600 mg, 605 mg, 610 mg, 615 mg, 620 mg, 625 mg, 630 mg, 635 mg, 640 mg, 645 mg, 650 mg, 655 mg, 660 mg, 665 mg, 670 mg, 675 mg, 680 mg, 685 mg, 690 mg, 695 mg, 700 mg, 705 mg, 710 mg, 715 mg, 720 mg, 725 mg, 730 mg, 735 mg, 740 mg, 745 mg, 750 mg, 755 mg, 760 mg, 765 mg, 770 mg, 775 mg, 780 mg, 785 mg, 790 mg, 795 mg, and 800 mg. In certain such embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the comprises a dose compound provided herein selected from 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg, 300 mg, 350 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg, 700 mg, and 800mg.

In certain embodiments, a ceutical composition comprising a nd provided herein is administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg or less, 9 mg/kg or less, 8 mg/kg or less, 7.5 mg/kg or less, 7 mg/kg or less, 6.5 mg/kg or less, 6 mg/kg or less, 5.5 mg/kg or less, 5 mg/kg or less, 4.5 mg/kg or less, 4 mg/kg or less, 3.5 mg/kg or less, 3 mg/kg or less, 2.5 mg/kg or less, 2 mg/kg or les, 1.5 mg/kg or less, 1 mg/kg or less, 0.75 mg/kg or less, 0.5 mg/kg or less, or 0.25 mg/kg or less.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical agent is sterile lyophilized compound that is tituted with a suitable diluent, e.g., e water for injection or sterile saline for injection. The reconstituted product is administered as a subcutaneous injection or as an intravenous infusion after dilution into saline. The lized drug product consists of a compound which has been prepared in water for injection, or in saline for ion, adjusted to pH 7.0-9.0 with acid or base during preparation, and then lyophilized. The lized compound may be 25-800 mg of an oligonucleotide. It is understood that this encompasses 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650, 675, 700, 725, 750, 775, and 800 mg of modified lyophilized oligonucleotide. Further, in some embodiments, the lized compound is present in an amount that ranges from 25 mg to 800 mg, 25 mg to 700 mg, 25 mg to 600 mg, 25 mg to 500 mg, 25 mg to 400 mg, 25 mg to 300 mg, 25 mg to 200 mg, 25 mg to 100 mg, 100 mg to 800 mg, 200 mg to 800 mg, 300 mg to 800 mg, 400 mg to 800 mg, 500 mg to 800 mg, 600 mg to 800 mg, 100 mg to 700 mg, 150 mg to 650 mg, 200 mg to 600 mg, 250 mg to 550 mg, 300 mg to 500 mg, 300 mg to 400 mg, or 400 mg to 600 mg. The lyophilized drug product may be packaged in a 2 mL Type I, clear glass vial ium sulfate-treated), stoppered with a bromobutyl rubber e and sealed with an aluminum FLIP-OFF® overseal.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein comprises a compound in a therapeutically effective amount. In certain embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount is ient to prevent, alleviate or ameliorate symptoms of a disease or to prolong the survival of the subject being treated. ination of a therapeutically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein may additionally contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions, at their art- established usage levels. Thus, for example, the compositions may contain additional, compatible, pharmaceutically-active materials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti- inflammatory agents, or may contain additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the compositions of the present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, vatives, antioxidants, opacif1ers, thickening agents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not unduly interfere with the biological ties of the components of the compositions of the present invention. The ations can be sterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents, e. g., lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavorings and/or ic substances and the like which do not deleteriously interact with the oligonucleotide(s) of the formulation.

Lipid moieties have been used in nucleic acid therapies in a variety of methods. In one method, the c acid is introduced into preformed liposomes or lipoplexes made of mixtures of cationic lipids and l lipids. In another , DNA complexes with mono- or poly-cationic lipids are formed without the presence of a neutral lipid. In certain embodiments, a lipid moiety is selected to increase distribution of a pharmaceutical agent to a particular cell or tissue. In certain embodiments, a lipid moiety is selected to increase distribution of a pharmaceutical agent to fat tissue. In certain embodiments, a lipid moiety is selected to increase distribution of a pharmaceutical agent to muscle tissue.

In n embodiments, INTRALIPID is used to prepare a pharmaceutical composition comprising an oligonucleotide. Intralipid is fat emulsion prepared for intravenous administration. It is made up of 10% soybean oil, 1.2% egg yolk phospholipids, 2.25% glycerin, and water for ion. In addition, sodium hydroxide has been added to adjust the pH so that the final product pH range is 6 to 8.9.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein comprises a ine compound or a lipid moiety complexed with a nucleic acid. Such preparations are described in PCT publication 8/042973, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for the disclosure of lipid preparations. Certain additional preparations are described in Akinc et al., Nature Biotechnology 26, 561 - 569 (01 May 2008), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for the disclosure of lipid preparations.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical itions ed herein comprise one or more compounds and one or more excipients. In n such ments, excipients are ed from water, salt solutions, alcohol, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, e, amylase, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, ymethylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition ed herein is prepared using known techniques, including, but not limited to , dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or tableting processes.

In n embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein is a liquid (e. g., a suspension, elixir and/or solution). In certain of such embodiments, a liquid pharmaceutical composition is prepared using ingredients known in the art, including, but not limited to, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, and coloring .

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein is a solid (e. g., a powder, tablet, and/or capsule). In certain of such embodiments, a solid pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more oligonucleotides is prepared using ingredients known in the art, including, but not limited to, starches, sugars, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, and disintegrating agents.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein is formulated as a depot preparation. Certain such depot ations are typically longer acting than non-depot preparations. In certain embodiments, such preparations are administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or uscularly) or by intramuscular injection. In certain embodiments, depot preparations are prepared using suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

In n embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein comprises a delivery system. Examples of delivery systems e, but are not limited to, liposomes and emulsions. Certain delivery systems are useful for preparing certain pharmaceutical compositions ing those sing hydrophobic compounds. In certain embodiments, n organic solvents such as ylsulfoxide are used.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein comprises one or more tissue-specif1c delivery molecules designed to deliver the one or more compounds provided herein to specific tissues or cell types. For example, in certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions include liposomes coated with a tissue-specif1c antibody.

In certain ments, a pharmaceutical ition provided herein comprises a co-solvent system. Certain of such co-solvent systems comprise, for example, benzyl alcohol, a nonpolar surfactant, a water-miscible organic polymer, and an aqueous phase. In n embodiments, such co-solvent systems are used for hydrophobic compounds. A miting example of such a co-solvent system is the VPD co-solvent , which is a solution of absolute ethanol comprising 3% w/v benzyl alcohol, 8% w/v of the nonpolar surfactant Polysorbate 80““ and 65% w/v polyethylene glycol 300. The proportions of such co-solvent systems may be varied considerably without significantly altering their solubility and toxicity characteristics. Furthermore, the ty of co-solvent components may be varied: for example, other surfactants may be used instead of Polysorbate 80““; the fraction size of hylene glycol may be ; other biocompatible polymers may replace polyethylene glycol, e.g., polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and other sugars or ccharides may substitute for dextrose.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition ed herein comprises a sustained- release system. A non-limiting example of such a sustained-release system is a semi-permeable matrix of solid hobic polymers. In certain embodiments, sustained-release systems may, depending on their chemical nature, release pharmaceutical agents over a period of hours, days, weeks or months.

In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition provided herein is prepared for oral administration. In certain of such embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition is formulated by combining one or more compounds comprising a modified oligonucleotide with one or more pharmaceutically able carriers. Certain of such carriers enable pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as s, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a subject. In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions for oral use are obtained by mixing oligonucleotide and one or more solid excipient. Suitable excipients include, but are not limited to, fillers, such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, ol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). In certain embodiments, such a mixture is optionally ground and auxiliaries are optionally added. In certain embodiments, ceutical compositions are formed to obtain s or dragee cores. In certain embodiments, disintegrating agents (e. g., cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate) are added.

In certain embodiments, dragee cores are ed with coatings. In certain such embodiments, concentrated sugar ons may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to tablets or dragee coatings.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration are push-fit capsules made of gelatin. Certain of such lt capsules comprise one or more pharmaceutical agents of the present ion in admixture with one or more filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In certain ments, pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration are soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a cizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. In certain soft es, one or more pharmaceutical agents of the present invention are be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions are prepared for buccal administration.

Certain of such ceutical compositions are tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional .

In certain ments, a ceutical composition is prepared for stration by injection (e.g., enous, subcutaneous, uscular, etc.). In certain of such embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a carrier and is formulated in aqueous solution, such as water or logically compatible buffers such as Hanks's solution, Ringer's solution, or physiological saline buffer. In certain embodiments, other ingredients are ed (e.g., ingredients that aid in solubility or serve as preservatives). In certain embodiments, inj ectable suspensions are ed using appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and the like. Certain pharmaceutical itions for injection are presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multi-dose containers. Certain pharmaceutical compositions for injection are suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or s vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Certain solvents suitable for use in ceutical compositions for ion include, but are not limited to, lipophilic solvents and fatty oils, such as sesame oil, tic fatty acid , such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, and liposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances that increase the viscosity of the sion, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, such sions may also contain le stabilizers or agents that se the solubility of the pharmaceutical agents to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

In certain ments, a pharmaceutical composition is prepared for transmucosal administration. In certain of such ments penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

In certain embodiments, one or more modif1ed oligonucleotides provided herein is administered as a prodrug. In certain embodiments, upon in vivo administration, a prodrug is ally or enzymatically converted to the biologically, pharmaceutically or therapeutically more active form of an oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, prodrugs are useful because they are easier to administer than the corresponding active form. For example, in certain instances, a prodrug may be more bioavailable (e.g., through oral administration) than is the corresponding active form. In certain embodiments, prodrugs possess superior transmittal across cell membranes. In certain embodiments, a g facilitates delivery of a modified oligonucleotide to the desired cell type, tissue, or organ. In certain embodiments, a prodrug is a nd comprising a conjugated ed oligonucleotide. In certain instances, a prodrug may have improved solubility compared to the corresponding active form. In certain embodiments, prodrugs are less water soluble than the corresponding active form. In certain embodiments, a prodrug is an ester. In certain such embodiments, the ester is metabolically yzed to carboxylic acid upon administration. In certain instances the carboxylic acid containing compound is the corresponding active form. In certain embodiments, a prodrug comprises a short peptide (polyaminoacid) bound to an acid group. In certain of such embodiments, the peptide is cleaved upon administration to form the corresponding active form. In certain embodiments, a prodrug is produced by modifying a pharmaceutically active nd such that the active compound will be regenerated upon in vivo administration. The prodrug can be designed to alter the metabolic stability or the transport characteristics of a drug, to mask side effects or toxicity, to improve the flavor of a drug or to alter other characteristics or properties of a drug. By virtue of knowledge of pharmacodynamic processes and drug metabolism in vivo, those of skill in this art, once a pharmaceutically active nd is known, can design prodrugs of the compound (see, e. g., Nogrady (1985) Medicinal Chemistry A Biochemical Approach, Oxford University Press, New York, pages 388-392).

Certain Routes ofAdministration In certain embodiments, administering to a subject comprises parenteral administration. In certain ments, administering to a subject comprises intravenous stration. In certain embodiments, administering to a subject ses subcutaneous administration.

In certain embodiments, administering to a subject comprises intraarterial, pulmonary, oral, rectal, transmucosal, intestinal, enteral, topical, transdermal, suppository, intrathecal, intraventricular, intraperitoneal, intranasal, intraocular, intramuscular, intramedullary, and intratumoral administration.

Certain miR-I22 Kits The t invention also provides kits. In some embodiments, the kits comprise one or more compounds ed . In some embodiments, a compound provided herein is present within a vial.

A plurality of vials, such as 10, can be present in, for example, dispensing packs. In some embodiments, the vial is manufactured so as to be ible with a syringe. The kit can also contain instructions for using the compounds provided herein.

In some embodiments, the kits may be used for administration of a compound provided herein to a subject. In such instances, in addition to comprising at least one compound provided , the kit can further comprise one or more of the following: e, alcohol swab, cotton ball, and/or gauze pad. In some embodiments, the compounds complementary to miR- 122 can be present in a pre-fllled syringe (such as a single-dose es with, for example, a 27 gauge, 1/2 inch needle with a needle guard), rather than in a vial. A ity of pre-fllled syringes, such as 10, can be present in, for example, dispensing packs. The kit can also contain instructions for administering a compound provided herein.

Certain Experimental Models In certain embodiments, the present invention es methods of using and/or testing a compound provided herein in an experimental model. Those having skill in the art are able to select and modify the protocols for such experimental models to te a nd provided herein.

The effects of antisense inhibition of a microRNA following the administration of anti-miR compounds may be assessed by a variety ofmethods known in the art. In certain embodiments, these methods are be used to quantitate microRNA levels in cells or tissues in vitro or in vivo. In certain embodiments, changes in microRNA levels are measured by microarray analysis. In certain embodiments, changes in microRNA levels are measured by one of several commercially available PCR , such as the TaqMan® MicroRNA Assay (Applied Biosystems, a Life Technologies brand).

In vitro activity of anti-miR compounds may be assessed using a rase cell culture assay. In this assay, a microRNA luciferase sensor construct is engineered to contain one or more binding sites of the microRNA of interest fused toa luciferase gene. When the microRNA binds to its cognate site in the luciferase sensor construct, luciferase expression is suppressed. When the appropriate anti-miR is introduced into the cells, it binds to the target microRNA and relieves suppression of luciferase expression. Thus, in this assay anti-miRs that are effective inhibitors of the microRNA of interest will cause an se in luciferase expression.

Activity of anti-miR compounds may be assessed by measuring the mRNA and/or protein level of a target of a NA. A microRNA binds to a complementary site within one or more target RNAs, leading to suppression of a target RNA, thus inhibition of the NA results in the increase in the level ofmRNA and/or protein of a target of the microRNA (i.e., derepression). The derepression of one or more target RNAs may be ed in vivo or in vitro. For example, a target of miR-122 is se A (ALDOA). Inhibition of miR-122 results in an increase in the level A mRNA, thus ALDOA mRNA levels may be used to evaluate the inhibitory ty of an anti-miR-122 compound.

The s of anti-miR-122 compounds on HCV replication may be measured in an HCV replicon assay. In this assay, compounds are uced into a cell line (e. g., a human hepatoma cell line) that contains a subgenomic replicon ofHCV with a stable luciferase reporter and three cell culture- adaptive mutations (luc-ubi-neo/ET). The luciferase er is used as an indirect measure of HCV replication. The replicon used may be a parent HCV genotype or an HCV genotype with mutations that confer resistance to anti-viral agents. Anti-miR-122 nds may be evaluated alone or in combination with other agents used in the treatment of HCV-infection. In some embodiments, a modified ucleotide may be tested in an in vivo or in vitro assay, and subsequently conjugated to form a compound for use in the methods described herein.

EXAMPLES The following examples are presented in order to more fully illustrate some embodiments of the invention. They , in no way be construed, however, as limiting the broad scope of the invention.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily adopt the underlying ples of this discovery to design various compounds without departing from the spirit of the current invention.

Example 1: Design and Evaluation of Anti-miR-122 Compounds To identify potent inhibitors of 2, numerous anti-miR-122 modified oligonucleotides were designed and synthesized. The modified oligonucleotides varied in length, and in the number, placement, and identity of bicyclic nucleosides and non-bicyclic nucleosides. The compounds were evaluated in a number of assays, to identify anti-miRs that are suitable therapeutic agents for the treatment of HCV infection. The evaluation of the compounds was performed in an iterative manner, in which highly active compounds were further optimized through design s, and the resultant compounds were then subjected to additional screening. The compound evaluation process included assessment of potency, safety, and physicochemical characteristics.

In total, over 400 anti-miR— 122 modified oligonucleotides were ed and tested in a first luciferase cell culture activity assay. Following an additional rase assay and for certain compounds measurement bolic stability, imately 70 of these compounds were selected for further in vivo testing. Of these 70 compounds approximately 10 compounds were fied as having a suitable in vivo potency (e.g. an ED50 of less than 5 mg/kg). A subset of these compounds was identified as having a certain safety profile in rodents and non-human primates. Thus, of the hundreds of compounds screened, only a small subset of the l over 400 nds met certain potency, safety and ochemical criteria.

Certain anti-miR-122 compounds are shown in Table A. The “position on miR-122” is the position to which the nucleoside in that column is complementary to SEQ ID NO: 1, counting from the 5’ end SEQ ID NO: 1.

HZmH<m $5385 EEo2 N2-m§-§< Ea mm 8 IEIEEEIIEIIII anal-Elflllllmo5 53.50 “B a @sz95 2:3 6 mo Aogwmoo-©mmv UIEIEEEIIEIIII IEEIIIIIEIIIImo:wewemo: IEEEEHIIEIIII IIEEIEII8mo:m<mo: III-IIIME6%ME QMO\ a I I ME mm 6%WIEEEIEIIEIIII UIEEEIEIEEIIII -OBRRNmHHDOmM ENG 8&3 no in: NE :23 28m 2% 29% as; 30% $3M mvcwm was 83m saw 2am Sugar moieties are indicated as follows: nucleosides not followed by a subscript indicate B-D- deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “E” indicate 2’-MOE nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” indicate S-cEt nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “L” indicate LNA nucleosides. Each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

Superscript “Me” indicates a 5-methyl group on the base of the nucleoside.

Potency In vitro and in viva potency An in vitro luciferase assay was used to measure the ability of each compound to inhibit the activity of 2 in cell culture. In this assay, a microRNA luciferase sensor construct was engineered to contain multiple miR- 122 binding sites fused to a rase gene. When miR-122 binds to its targetsites in the luciferase sensor construct, luciferase expression is suppressed. When an active anti- miR-122 compound is introduced into the cells, it binds to miR-122 and relieves suppression of luciferase expression. Thus, in this assay anti-miR-122 nds that are effective inhibitors of the 2 will cause an increase in luciferase expression.

The luciferase sensor uct, and a second construct sing miR-122, were introduced into Hela cells. Anti-miR-122 compounds were transfected into the cells at several different concentrations.

Compounds with an EC50 of less than 100 nM were subjected to an additional luciferase assay, at a broader range of anti-miR concentrations than in the l luciferase assay, to confirm activity.

Compounds were tested in two separate experiments, as indicated in Table B. The mean EC50 for each compound is shown in Table B. The results demonstrate that tions to sugar moiety or nucleobase can impact in vitro potency of an iR-122 nd.

Table B: Mean EC50 in the luciferase cell culture assay SEQ ID Experiment Luciferase Comgound Sequence and Chemistry NO # mean 38011 CSCAUSTGSUSCACSACSTCSCSA 3 1 3845 38012 CSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSA 3 1 43.78 38015 MQCSCATSTGSTSCAMQCSAMQCSTMQCSMQCSAE 38016 MQCSCATSTGTSMQCSAMQCSAMQCSTMQCSMQCSAE 38910 MeCCSAUSTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSAE 3 Not tested 38646 AEMQCEAEMQCECASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCS 4 77.15 38647 AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEASTTG SCSACSACSTCSCS 4 57.44 38648 AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEAETTG SCSACSACSTCSCS 4 97.68 38649 AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEAETETG ACSTCSCS NNIN4 46.76 38650 AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEAETETEG SCSACSACSTCSCS 4 28.16 38651 AEMQCEAEMSCEMQCEAETETEGE SCSACSACSTCSCS 4 NM 26.12 38652 MQCEAEAEAEMQCEAECSCASTTGcSCSACSACSTCSCS U} [\D 31.86 38659 CSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSTE 10 [\D 130.01 38660 MQCEAEAEAEMQCEAECSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSTE 6 [\D 17.02 To determine in vivo potency, certain compounds were evaluated for their ability to de-repress the expression of liver aldolase A (ALDOA), a gene that is normally suppressed by miR-122 activity. tion ofmiR-122 leads to an se in ALDOA expression, thus ALDOA mRNA levels can be used to measure miR-122 inhibitory activity in vivo. Compounds were administered to mice in a single dose at the amounts indicated in Table C, and after 7 days the study was ated, and ALDOA mRNA levels were ed, by quantitative PCR, in RNA isolated from liver. Except for compound 38910, each compound in Table C was tested in the same study. The fold change in ALDOA mRNA, relative to saline, was calculated to determine in vivo potency (“ND” indicates “not determined).

Table C: Comparison of anti-miR-122 compound structure and potency Fold change in ALDOA relative to saline Compound Sequence and Chemistry CSCAUSTGSUSCACSACSTCSCSA CSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSA TGSTCSACSACSTCSCSA 38014 CSCAUSTGSUSCACSACSTCSCSAE 38015 TSTGSTSCAMQCSAMQCSTMQCSMQCSAE 38016 MQCSCATSTGTSMQCSAMQCSAMQCSTMQCSMQCSAE MeCLCATLTGTLMQCLAMQCLAMQCLTMQCLMQCLAE CSCAUSTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSA MeccSAUSTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSAE As can be seen in Table C, single changes in the placement of a sugar moiety or nucleobase can have an impact on in vivo potency. For example, the only difference between 38872 and 38011 is the ent of a cEt sugar moiety, however the in vivo potency of 0011 is significantly lower than that of 38872, with a comparable level ofALDOA de-repression reached only at the higher dose of 10 mg/kg of 38011 compared to the 3 mg/kg dose for compound 38872. Compound 38021, relative to 38016, has LNA in place of cEt sugar moieties, and has a similar y to 38016, thus this difference did not impact potency. Of this group of nds, compounds 38012, 38016, 38021 and 38872 were identified as active compounds.

Additional studies were performed to evaluate certain additional anti-miR- 122 compounds. The s ofthese studies are shown in Table D. Compounds 38646, 38647, 38648, 38649, 38650, 38651, and 38652 were tested together in one in vivo study, and compounds 38659 and 38660 were tested together in another in vivo study.

Table D: Comparison of iR-122 compound structure and potency Fold change in ALDOA relative to Compound Sequence and Structure saline Luciferase 3 10 mg/kg mg/kg AEMQCEAEMQCECASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCs-- 77.15 ND ND AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCs-- 57.44 2.61 AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEAETTG SCSACSACSTCSCS-- 4.36 AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEAETETG SCSACSACSTCSCS-- 4.46 AEMQCEAEMQCEMQCEAETETEG sCsACsACsTCsCS__ 2.03 38651 AEMSCEMSCEAETETEGE U ACsTCsCS__ 26.12 1.26 38652 MSCEAEAEAEMQCEAECSCASTTGU sCsACsACsTCsCS__ 31.86 1.86 38659 CSCASTTGUSCSACSACSTCSCSTE 4 82 38660 MQCEAEAEAEMQCEAECsCAsTTGUsCsACsACsTCsCsTE 4.44 As above, these data illustrate that single changes to the placement of a sugar moiety can have a substantial impact on in vivo potency. Further, it is shown that in vitro and in vivo potency are not necessarily ated. For example, compound 38659 has a low in vitro potency, but is a very potent inhibitor of miR-122 in viva.

Comparisons of the anti-miR-122 compound structures and in viva potency ed an 11 nucleoside core sequence common to a group of active anti-miR-122. This core sequence, where B-D- deoxy sugar moieties and bicyclic sugar moieties are in the same position on the anti-miR-122 nucleotide sequence, is highlighted in Table D-2. The nucleobase sequence of the 11 nucleoside core is complementary to nucleobases 2 to 12 of miR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1).

WW oz m m v v v v v m a c m m H !Im< IIIaE< g 353.3 .888 m a mucucflosacwzc mzbeobzem cm mm gage: “B 2 Rial... we g IaH E H I m: 8sz95 E a; < 3 3 g ma 8 3 < < NNTKEEHEW 2 0 mo: 6: 0 0 0 mo E mo:‘5'... ogfi mo:la: mo mo mo S m< g ma m< ogfi Aogwmoo-0mmv «Edam M: 6: mo: 6: mo: 6: ”N-Q 2 2:er cm a allan.m< allIn.MEME I...

QMOE-O>>\m3Nm-ADOmm ME mm mo: Hag”? 3:6 3* 8&3 :0 in: NE 2% 29% 2% Scwm 9% mmcwm 0st Swwm These data illustrate the discovery of a certain core nucleoside pattern that yields a potent inhibitor of 2 in vivo.

HCV Replicon Studies An HCV replicon assay was used to ine the ability of an anti-miR-122 compound to inhibit the replication of HCV, including parent HCV genotypes and HCV genotypes with mutations that confer resistance to anti-viral agents. Compound 38649 was tested in this assay, to determine its ability to inhibit the replication of HCV sub-genomic ons of genotype 1a (H77 strain), pe 1b, and several variants of genotype lb , A156S, D168a, and V36M).

For this assay, the cell line used was the cell line ET, a Huh7 human hepatoma cell line that contains a omic replicon of HCV with a stable luciferase reporter and three cell e-adaptive mutations (luc-ubi-neo/ET). The luciferase reporter is used as an indirect measure of HCV replication.

The HCV replicon antiviral evaluation assay examined the effects of the compound at six half-log trations of each compound. Human interferon alpha-2b was included as a positive control compound. Sub-confluent cultures of the ET line were plated into 96-well plates and the next day anti- miR-122 compound was transfected into the cells with cationic lipid. Cells were processed 72 hours later when the cells were still sub-confluent. HCV replicon levels were ed as HCV RNA replicon- derived luciferase activity. The EC50 (concentration at which 50% inhibition was observed) was calculated for each HCV genotype, and is shown in Table E. The ivity index (S150, a ratio of the EC50 for viral replication to the EC50 for innate cytotoxicity) was also calculated and is shown in Table E.

Table E: Anti-Viral Activity of Compound 38649 Antiviral Selectivity HCV Genotype Activity EC50 Index (11M) 5150 HCV Genotype lb 57.8 nM 4. 0 HCV Genotype 1b variant V36M 139.6 nM > 20 HCV Mutant A156S 45 9 nM. 5 .7 HCV Mutant A156T 26.7 nM 10 0 HCV Mutant D168A 16.2 nM 12.0 HCV Genotype 1a (H77 strain) 14,1 nM 15.0 The results from the replicon assay demonstrate anti-viral activity of compound 38649 against le HCV genotypes. The anti-viral ty was sustained for the period of time for which the assay was performed (18 days). The activity of compound 38649 is similarly robust against HCV replicons comprising mutations known to be resistant to certain se inhibitors prescribed to treat HCV infection.

Single Dose Studies of iR-122 Compound 38649 was tested in a single dose study in mice, to determine the onset of action, maximal target derepression, and duration of action, at doses ranging from 0.3 mg/kg to 30 mk/kg. An ED50 was also calculated from this study.

Anti-miR compound was administered intraperitoneally to groups of 5 mice each, at doses of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, 10, and 30 mg/kg. For the 0.3 and 1.0 doses, groups of animals were sacrifled at days 3, 7, and 28. For the 3.0, 10 and 30 mg/kg doses, groups of animals were sacrif1ed at days 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 2838649. ALDOA mRNA levels in liver were measured by quantitative PCR, and compared to ALDOA mRNA levels in liver of saline-treated mice, to calculate the fold change in ALDOA expression.

As shown in Figure 1A, ALDOA derepression was observed as early as day 3 and maintained for more than 28 days after dosing of compound 38649. Maximal target derepression was achieved at 10 mg/kg. An ED50 of 6.7 mg/kg was calculated from the day 7 data (Figure 13).

Physicochemical characteristics Evaluation of physicochemical characteristics may include: measurement of viscosity, to determine whether a on of the anti-miR is suitable for administration via n types of parenteral administration, for example subcutaneous administration; calculation of anti-miR half life in liver, to estimate the frequency at which the anti-miR-122 compound could be administered in human subjects; and lic stability assay, to identify compounds which may be susceptible to cleavage by ses.

Metabolic stability was evaluated by incubating anti-miR- 122 nd with non-human primate liver lysate. Nuclease activity in the liver tissue homogenate was confirmed by using reference oligonucleotides, which included a compound with known resistance to nuclease activity, a compound susceptible to 3’-exonuclease activity, and a compound susceptible to endonuclease activity. An internal standard compound was used to control for extraction efficiency. At the 0 hour and 24 hour time , each sample was subjected to high-performance liquid tography time-of—flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF MS) to measure oligonucleotide lengths and amounts. The tage loss is determined by comparing the amount of ength compound at the 0 hour and 24 hour time points. Compounds 38646, 38647, 38648, 38649, 38650, 38651, 38652, 38659, and 38660 exhibited a percentage loss of 10% or less at the 24 hour time point. Compound 38012 exhibited a percentage loss of approximately 50% at the 24 hour time point.

An additional single dose study was performed in mice, to estimate the half-life of compound 38649. The half-life in liver was estimated to be at least two weeks.

Safety To assess various safety parameters, an in vivo study in s was performed for certain of the compounds described herein, to evaluate the potential the compounds to trigger a pro-inflammatory response. Parameters assessed included changes in organ weights, such as spleen weight and liver weight, and the expression of eron-inducible genes, such as IFIT and OASL, in the liver. Serum chemistries were also evaluated. Additionally, for certain compounds, safety parameters were evaluated in non- human primates and included hematological endpoints, serum chemistry, organ weights, coagulation, complement activation, cytokine/chemokine changes, and pro-inflammatory gene expression.

While the tested compounds exhibited some variability amongst the saftety parameters evaluated, several of the compounds, including compound 38649, were found to have ularly suitable safety profiles.

Example 2: Conjugated Anti-miR-122 Modified Oligonucleotides Anti-miR- 122 modified oligonucleotides were conjugated to a GalNAc-containing moiety, to determine whether the conjugation would e the potency of the oligonucleotides.

GalNAc-containing compounds were formed by conjugating the structure in Figure 2 to the 3’ end of the 38649 modified oligonucleotide. The linkage between the -containing moiety and the 3’- end of 38649 varied, as shown in Table F-l. For example, in compound 38368, the GalNAc- containing moiety is linked ly to the 3’-terminal nucleoside of 38649 through a odiester linkage, as shown in Figure 3C, where X is a phosphodiester linkage and MO is nd 38649. In compound 38458, the GalNAc-containing moiety is linked to the 3’-terminal nucleoside of 38649 through a B-D-deoxynucleoside, with a phosphorothioate linkage n the 3’-terminal nucleoside of 38649 and a phosphodiester linkage between the B-D-deoxynucleoside and the -containing moiety, as shown in Figure 3A, where X2 is a phosphorothioate e, m is l, Nm is a oxynucleoside, X1 is a phosphodiester linkage, and MO is compound 38649.

Table F-l: GalNAc-containing compounds Compound # Compound structure Structure III of Figure 3C, where X is a phosphodiester 38368 linkae and MO is comoound 38649 Structure III of Figure 3C, where X is a phosphorothioate 38371 linkae and MO is nd 38649 ure 1 of Figure 3A, where X2 is a rothioate linkage, m is l, NIn is a B-D-deoxynucleoside, X1 is a phosphodiester linkage, and MO is compound 38649 Structure 1 of Figure 3A, where X2 is a phophodiester linkage, m is l, NIn is a B-D-deoxynucleoside (dA), X1 is a ohos ohodiester linkae, and MO is com-ound 38649 Structure 1 of Figure 3A, where X2 is a phosphothioate linkage, m is l, Nm is a 2’-O-methoxyethyl nucleoside, X1 is a ohos ohodiester linkae, and MO is com-ound 38649 Structure 1 of Figure 3A, where X2 is a rothioate linkage, m is l, Nm is a X1 is a phosphodiester linkage, and MO is comoound 38649 The GalNAc-conjugated modified oligonucleotides were assessed for in viva potency, release of unconjugated modified oligonucleotide from the GalNAc-conjugated modified oligonucleotide, and liver and tissue concentration.

Potency studies were ted according to the protocol used to evaluate the unconjugated modified oligonucleotides, described above. Compound was injected into mice, and in vivo potency was ed at day 7 by measuring the de-repression of ALDOA. The dosages of conjugated compounds indicate the dosage ofmodified oligonucleotide administered.

As shown in Figure 4, each of the three GalNAc-conjugated modified oligonucleotides tested was more potent than the ugated modified oligonucleotide. Compounds 38368 and 38371 exhibited an increase in potency of approximately 3-fold, relative to unconjugated 38649 (Figure 4A). Compounds 38458 and 38459, each of which has a oxyribonucleoside linking group, exhibited at least a 10- fold increase in potency (Figure 4B). Compounds 38597 and 38598, each of which has a 2’-sugar d linking group, also exhibited at least a 10-fold increase in potency (Figure 4C). In additional s, potency increases of up to 20-fold have been observed for compounds 38459, 38458, 38597, and 38598.

An additional experiment was conducted to include a wider range of doses of compound 38459.

Compound 38459 (n=6) or nd 38649 (n=3) was administered to mice, and ALDOA levels in liver and terol levels in blood were measured seven days later. Average ALDOA and cholesterol levels were calculated and are shown in Table F-2. As shown in Table F-2, a single, subcutaneous dose of compound 38459 exhibited sed potency relative to unconjugated compound 38649, with t to increasing ALDOA levels and lowering cholesterol levels. In this experiment, the calculated ED50 for compound 38459 was 0.19 mg/kg, and the calculated ED50 for compound 38649 was 3.5 mg/kg (an 18- fold difference in potency).

Table F-Z: Increased potency of conjugated anti-miR-122 compound ALDOA Cholesterol Compound Dose Fold change mg/dL 38649 (unconjugated) 38459 (GalNAc- conjugated) Also measured was the amount of unconjugated modified oligonucleotide in the liver and kidney tissue 7 days following a single aneous dose of compounds 38368 and 38371 at doses of 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg, and compounds 38458 and 38459 at doses of 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 3 mg/kg. Each sample was subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry TOF MS) to e oligonucleotide lengths and amounts. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) by this method is 0.2-1.0 ug/g.

The GalNAc-conjugated modif1ed oligonucleotides were found to have varying rates of formation of unconjugated ed oligonucleotide. For example, following administration of nd 38368, less than 10% of compound 38649 (an unconjugated ed oligonucleotide) is detected in the liver.

Following administration of compound 38371, nd 38649 was not detected in the liver at either dose of compound 38371. Conversely, seven days following subcutaneous administration of compound 38459, the only unconjugated modified oligonucleotide species detected was unconjugated 38649; the parent compound 38459 was not detected. Following stration of compound 38458, unconjugated modified oligonucleotide was detected in two forms: 38649, as well as 38649-PO-A (a metabolite of compound 3845 8). This metabolite was was detected at higher levels than unconjugated 38649.

Also ed was the amount of unconjugated modified ucleotide in the liver 24 hours following a single subcutaneous dose of compounds 38458 and 38459 at doses of 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 3 mg/kg. Anti-miR levels were measured by LC—TOF. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) by this method is 0.2-1.0 ug/g. It was observed that following administration of compound 38459, 90% of the total compound present in the liver was unconjugated compound 38649. Following administration of 38458, approximately 46% of total compound present in the liver was unconjugated compound 38649.

Thus, unconjugated compound 38649 is ed more rapidly from compound 38459 than from compound 38458. These data suggest that the metabolism of the conjugated compound is influenced by the attachment between the linker and the modified oligonucleotide.

Oligonucleotides generally accumulate to the highest levels in kidney tissue, followed by liver tissue. To ine whether the GalNAc conjugate d the accumulation of compound in liver tissue compared to kidney , relative to unconjugated compound, the amount of unconjugated 38649 was also measured in the kidney tissue. As described above, following administration of compound 38459, 100% of the total compound found in the liver is unconjuated 38649, indicating complete release of 38649 from the GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459. Following administration of compound 38459, compound 38649 accumulated less in the kidney compared to the liver, (i.e. exhibited a lower kidney:liver ratio), relative to accumulation of compound 38649 following administration of compound 38649. Thus, compound 38459 can entially deliver compound 38649 to the liver, while zing ry to the kidney, as compared to ugated 38649.

The onset and duration of action for nd 38459 was evaluated in an in vivo study. Groups of mice were given a single, subcutaneous (SC) dose of compound 38459 at 0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 3 mg/kg. An additional group of mice was administered compound 38649 at a dose of 10 mg/kg. A group of animals from each treatment was iced on each of days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 14, 21, 28, and 56. RNA was isolated from liver and ALDOA mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR. The mean ALDOA level for each group was calculated. The fold change relative to the control group (PBS- treated) is shown in Table G.

Table G: Onset and duration of action of compound 38459 Fold change in ALDOA following 38459 38459 38459 38459 38649 single 3 mg/kg 1 mg/kg 0.3 mg/kg 0.1 mg/kg 10 mg/kg SC dose 4 5.1 4.9 3.3 2.2 4.6 5.9 4.9 3.9 2.1 4.5 6 5.1 4.5 3.2 2.2 3.6 14 4.8 4.3 3.4 1.7 3.1 21 5.9 4.9 4.0 2.2 3.6 28 4.8 4.7 2.9 2.0 4.2 56 5.6 4.6 2.6 1.7 3.2 The data in Table G demonstrate that compound 38459, as well as compound 38649, has a rapid onset of action, as evidenced by ALDOA derepression as early as 1 day following a single dose of compound. Further, ALDOA derepression is maintained for at least 8 weeks following a single dose of compound.

These data demonstrate that the GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459, which is at least 10-fold more potent than the unconjugated 38649 compound, es this y at significantly lower liver tissue concentrations, with preferential delivery to the liver tissue. onally, compound 38459 exhibits a rapid onset of action, and a duration of action of at least 8 weeks.

Also tested were LNA-containing unconjugated and conjugated modified oligonucleotides, shown in Table H.

Table H: LNA-containing compounds Compound # Sequence (5’ to 3’) and Modifications Structure SEQOID 36848 CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL, Unconjugated N— Conjugated as in 36852 CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL 3313;162:152: £15131 MO is 36848 Conjugated as in ure 1 of Figure 3A, where X2 is a phophodiester linkage, 36632 CLCALTTGLTLCACLACLTCLCL m is 1, NIn is a B-D- 7 ucleoside (dA), X1 is a phosphodiester linkage, and MO is compound 36848 Sugar and linkage moietes are indicated as follows: where nucleosides not ed by a subscript indicate B-D-deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “L” indicate LNA nucleosides; and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

Compounds 36848 and 36852 were tested for in vivo potency according to the same ol as described above, to evaluate the y of the compounds to inhibit miR-122 activity and increase ALDOA sion. While each compound was a potent inhibitor of miR-122, the GalNAc-conjugated compound 36852 exhibited greater potency than unconjugated compound 36848 ximately 3-fold greater).

Compound 36632 was also tested for in vivo potency in a single dose administration study, following a similar ol as described above, at doses of 0.03 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/kg, and 10.0 mg/kg. Compound 36632 trated fold increases in ALDOA expression of 1.6, 2.7, 3.7, 4.3, 4.7, 6.0, respectively, relative to PBS-treated control. Compound 36848, at doses of 1.0 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg ed in fold increases in ALDOA expression of 1.6, 2.5, and 5.3, respectively. A comparison of compound 36632 to compound 36848 revealed an increase in potency of approximately 30-fold for the conjugated compound, relative to the unconjugated compound.

Example 3: Mouse Model of HCV Infection Due to host-pathogen specificity, HCV can only infect humans and nzees. As such, smaller species, such as mice, that are typically used for experimental in vivo studies cannot be infected with HCV for testing of candidate agents for the treatment ofHCV infection. To address this problem, human liver chimeric mouse models may be utilized (see, e.g.,, Bissig et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci US A, 2007, 104:20507-20511; Bissig et al., J Clin ., 2010, 120: 924-930). In this model, the livers of immunodeficient mice are repopulated with human hepatocytes, resulting in a chimeric liver in which most of the hepatocytes are human hepatocytes. The mice are then infected with HCV and treated with anti-HCV agents. This mouse model is commercially available from, for example, PhoenixBio.

Anti-miR- 122 compounds are tested in mice with human chimeric livers that have been infected with HCV. Groups of animals (n = 5-10) e one or more doses of anti-miR-122 compound, e.g., at a dose identified from the treatment regimen study. For pharmacokinetic es and measurement of HCV RNA levels, plasma is collected at various timepoints. Liver tissue is collected when the study is terminated.

In some embodiments, inhibition of miR-122 is confirmed by measuring human ALDOA mRNA levels. It is expected that administration of an anti-miR-122 compound reduces HCV RNA levels in the serum of the mouse.

Example 4: HCV RNA Level Reduction in Response to miR-122 Inhibition A human chimeric mouse liver model was used to evaluate the effects of miR- 122 inhibition on miR-122 target gene expression and HCV viral titer.

Human Chimeric Liver Mice The s of miR-122 inhibition on target gene expression were evaluated in human chimeric liver mice without HCV infection. Groups of mice (n=6) were treated with a single dose of PBS, 0.3 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg of compound 38459. Seven days following treatment, the study was terminated and liver tissue was collected for measurement ofALDOA expression and compound tissue concentration. ALDOA mRNA levels were increased relative to ALDOA mRNA levels in PBS-treated mice, however the derepression ofALDOA expression was 3-fold to 5-fold less than that observed in wild-type mice. Compound 38459 levels were approximately 3-fold lower in chimeric liver mice, relative to concentrations in wild-type mice. These observations are consistent with the reduced expression of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) in the human chimeric liver mice, relative to wild- type mice. As the accumulation of compound in the liver cell is dependent upon uptake by the ASGPR, a d expression ofASGPR would be expected to result in reduced lation of GalNAc- conjugated modified oligonucleotide, and consequently reduced sensitivity to the ability of compound 38459 to ress endogenous targets of miR-122, such as ALDOA. Accordingly, the human chimeric liver mouse model may redict the ty of compound 38459 in a subject where ASGPR expression is maintained. Preliminary data t that ASGPR expression is maintained at similar levels in livers of HCV-infected patients relative to livers of non-HCV infected ts.

Treatment ofHCV-infectea’ human chimeric liver mice Anti-miR- 122 compounds were tested in a human chimeric liver mouse model of HCV infection.

The livers of immunodeficient mice were repopulated with human hepatocytes, resulting in a chimeric liver in which most of the cytes are human hepatocytes. Approximately 3.5 weeks following inoculation with HCV pe 1a, mice with an HCV RNA level of > 1x106 copies/m1 were selected for inclusion in this study (Day -7).

For a single week study, a group of 3 animals was treated with a single 10 mg/kg dose of 38459 on Day 0. Blood was collected on Day -7, O, 3, and 7. The study was terminated on day 7, when in addition to blood, liver tissue and kidney tissue were ted. In this study, HCV RNA levels were reduced at Days 3 and 7.

For a multiple week study, groups of 5 animals each were treated as follows: PBS (n=5); 3 mg/kg 38459 (n=5); 10 mg/kg 38459 (n=4-5); or 30 mg/kg 38459 (n=4-5). An additional group of animals was treated with 10 mg/kg unconjugated compound 36848 (n=5). Treatment was administered as a single, subcutaneous injection on Day 0. Blood was collected on Days -7, O, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, and 35.

HCV RNA levels in blood were measured by ime PCR according to routine methods, and are shown in Table 1. Unless otherwise indicated, each treatment group contained 5 animals. As shown in Table I, HCV RNA levels were signficantly reduced as early as Day 3 in the groups treated with 10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg of compound 38459, which reduction was sustained through at least Day 35. Statistical significance was ated by 2way ANOVA analysis of mean HCV RNA levels in compound-treated animals, normalized to mean HCV RNA levels in PB S-treated animals. In this study, unconjugated compound 36848 did not reduce HCV RNA levels. These results are also illustrated in graphic form in Figure 5A.

Table I: GalNAc-conjugated anti-miR—122 reduces HCV titer 36848 38459 38459 38459 Average 10 mg/kg 3 mg/kg 10 mg/kg 30 mg/kg -7 2.66E--O8 2.9OE--O8 2.54E--O8 2.76E--O8 2.6OE--O8 0 2.08E--O8 -O8 3.26E--O8 2.38E--O8 2.7OE--O8 3 1.97E--O8 3.2OE--O8 -O8 8.10E+07* 4.76E--O7**** 7 1.65E--O8 3.26E--O8 1.76E--O8 * 1.22E--O7**** 1.59E--O8 2.74E--O8 1.21E--O8 -O7**** -O6**** 14 -O8 2.02E--O8 9.34E--O7 -O7**** 4.82E--O6**** 17 1.67E--O8 2.10E--O8 9.68E--O7 2.94E--O7**** 4.89E--O6**** -O6**** 21 1.49E--O8 2.36E--O8 9.72E--O7 -O7**** (n=4) 7.95E--O6**** 24 1.43E+08 2.14E+08 8.46E+07 3.35E+O7**** (n:4) 1.13E+O7**** 28 1.43E+08 1.63E+08 8.48E+07 4.16E+O7*** (n:4) .18E+O7* 1.98E+O7**** 31 1.37E+08 1.99E+08 9.22E+07 (n=4) (n=4) .8OE+O7* 2.35E+O7**** 08 1.88E+08 1.03E+08 (n=4) (n=4) ****p<.0001; ***p<0,0005; *p<0.05 These results demonstrate that, following a single administration of -conjugated modified oligonucleotide 38459, HCV viral titer was significantly reduced in HCV-infected animals, with an early onset and sustained duration of action.

An additional study was performed to evaluate the effects of compound 38459 in the human chimeric liver mouse model of HCV infection, where the mice are infected with HCV genotype 3a.

Groups of 5 animals each were d as follows: PBS (n=4); 10 mg/kg 38459 (n=5); or 30 mg/kg 38459 (n=5). Mice were inoculated with HCV genotype 3a. Seven days prior to treatment, blood was collected from mice for measurement of viral titer. Treatment was administered as a single, subcutaneous ion on Day 0. Blood was collected on Days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, and 28 following treatment. HCV RNA levels in blood were measured by real-time PCR according to routine methods. As shown in Figure 5B, HCV RNA levels were signficantly reduced early as Day 3 in the groups d with 10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg of nd 38459, and this ion was sustained through at least Day 28.

Also observed was a substantial reduction in steatosis in the livers of the mice d with compound 38459. The reduced steatosis was observed in mice infected with HCV, and in uninfected mice, suggesting that inhibition ofmiR-122 can reduce steatosis both in the presence and e ofHCV infection.

Example 5: Conjugated Shorter Modified Oligonucleotides GalNAc-containing compounds were formed by conjugating a structure in Figure 3 to the 3’ end of the modified oligonucleotides shown in Table J. Sugar moieties, intemucleoside linkages, and nucleobases are indicated as follows: nucleosides not followed by a subscript are B-D- deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt sides; and each intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage.

Table J: Unconjugated and Conjugated Modified Oligonucleotides Sequence and Modifications Structure 38591 CsACsACsTCsCsAs Unconjugated - 38633 UsTGUsCsACsACsTCsCsAs Structure 1 of Figure 3A, where X2 is a phophodiester linkage, m is l, Nm is a B-D- deoxynucleoside (dA), X1 is a phosphodiester linkage 38998 CsAsCsAsCsUsCsCs ugated - 38634 AsCsUsCsCs Structure 1 of Figure 3A, where X2 is a phophodiester linkage, m is l, Nm is a B-D- deoxynucleoside (dA), X1 is a phosphodiester linkage To ine in viva potency, the compounds were evaluated for their ability to de-repress the expression of liver aldolase A (ALDOA). Compounds were administered to mice, and ALDOA mRNA levels were measured, by quantitative PCR, in RNA isolated from liver. The fold change in ALDOA mRNA, relative to , was calculated to determine in viva potency (Figures 6A and 6B and 7A and 7B). The ED50 (concentration of compound at which ALDOA derepression is 50% ofmaximum) and ED90 (concentration of compound at which ALDOA deprepression is 90% of maximum) calculated from the results of those experiments are shown in Table K and L.

Table K: In vivo potency of conjugated and unconjugated anti-miR-122 compounds Compound ED50 (mg/kg) Fold change ED90 (mg/kg) Fold change Experiment 1 (Figure 6A) 38634 0.03 0.3 456 212 38998 13.7 63.8 Experiment 2 e 6B) 38634 0.04 Table L: In vivo potency of conjugated and ugated anti-miR-122 compounds Compound ED50 (mg/kg) Fold change ED90 (mg/kg) Fold change Experiment 1 (Figure 7A) Experiment 2 (Figure 7B) 38591 3.0 8.9 As shown in Table K, GalNAc conjugation ing to the t invention improved the ED50 and ED90 of an 8-mer anti-miR- 122 compound by at least 100-fold. As shown in Table L, GalNAc ation according to the present invention improved the ED50 and ED90 of a 13-mer anti-miR-122 compound by at least d.

Derepression of r miR-122 target gene, CD320, was also determined for compounds 38634 and 38998. The results were similar to the results obtained for ALDOA shown in Table K: GalNAc conjugation according to the present invention improved the ED50 by 343-fold and 272-fold in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, and improved the ED90 by 492-fold and 545-fold in experiments 1 and 2, tively.

GalNAc conjugation described herein also improved cholesterol-lowering potency was also observed for the compounds comprising GalNAc. Exemplary results from experiment 1 are shown in Figure 8A and 8B. Compounds 38633 and 38634, which are GalNAc conjugates, were more potent than compounds 38591 and 38998, which lack GalNAc. r results were obtained for experiment 2 (data not shown).

Example 6: Pharmacodynamic activity of anti-miR—122 compounds in non-human primates iR- 122 compounds were tested in normal non-human primates (cynomolgus monkeys). A single dose of GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459 or unconjugated compound 38649 was stered subcutaneously (n = 3 for each compound). PBS was administered as a control treatment (n = 5). On day 4 and day 8 following administration of compound, liver tissue was collected, and RNA was isolated for measurement ofALDOA levels. Total cholesterol in blood was measured on day 8. As shown in Table L, ALDOA derepression is observed at day 4 and day 8, at each dose of compound 38459, including the lowest dose of 1 mg/kg. Cholesterol lowering was also ed with the lowest dose of compound 38459. Thus, GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459 is significantly more potent in non-human primates, relative to unconjugated compound 38649. Additionally, both compounds have a duration of action of at least one week following a single dose in non-human primates.

Table L: Inhibition of miR-122 in non-human primates ALDOA (Day 4) ALDOA (Day 8) Cholesterol (Day 8) Treatment fold change fold change mg/dL PBS 1.0 95.3 38649, 100 mg/kg 3.4 4.0 67.0 38459, 1 mg/kg 5.0 3.9 64.3 38459, 10 mg/kg 3.0 3.6 66.7 38459, 100 mg/kg 4.0 4.1 65.3 Example 7: Pharmacokinetic activity of conjugated anti-miR-122 compounds The plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics of anti-miR- 122 compounds were evaluated in mice and non-human primates.

A single, subcutaneous dose of compound 38649 or GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459 was administered to CD-1 mice. Blood was collected a multiple time points over a 24 hour period ing stration, and the total amount of compound in the blood was measured by hybridization-based ELISA.

A single, subcutaneous dose of nd 38649 or -conjugated compound 38459 was administered to non-human primates. Blood was collected at multiple time points over a 24 hour period following administration, and the total amount of compound in the blood was measured by LC-MS.

As shown in Figure 9, in mouse (Figure 9A) and non-human primates (Figure 9B), GalNAc- conjugated compound 38459 is cleared more rapidly from , compared to ugated compound 38649. Following administration of GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459, unconjugated compound 38649 is not detected, indicating that conjugated compound 38459 is not metabolized in the blood (data not shown) In this study, tissue levels of compounds were also measured in the liver and kidney of mice (Table M) and non-human primates (Table N).

Table M: Compound tissue levels in mice 24 hours after single dose Compound Administered: 3 8459 (+GalNAc) 3 8649 d d J: J: J: J: 1 mg/kg Total 1. 1 7.4 0. 15 compound —-----comoound Table N: Compound tissue levels in man primates 72 hours after single dose Compound stered: 3 8459 (+GalNAc) 3 8649 detected /; J; J: J: 1mg/kg —---- com-ound 38649 084 10mg/kg 2833- 612- 46- com-ound 38649 374.1 418.8 Total compound Following administration, compound 38459 is rapidly metabolized to unconjugated compound 38649 in liver and kidney. onally, consistent with the data from the mouse study described above, the kidney to liver ratio of compound 38459 is cantly lower than that of compound 38649.

Based on the concentration of compound in the liver 24 hours ing administration, it was estimated that approximately 6 ug/g of GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459 and approximately 30 ug/g of unconjugated compound 38459 results in 90% maximal potency at day 7 (as ed by ALDOA derepression). Thus, compound 38459 results in greater potency at a lower liver tissue concentration, relative to unconjugated compound 38649.

These data demonstrate that in non-human es and mice, conjugation to a GalNAc- containing moiety results in significantly enhanced delivery ofmodified Oligonucleotide t0 the liver.

Further, a low ED50 coupled with a lower kidney to liver ratio suggests that GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459 may have a high therapeutic index.

Example 8: Toxicology and safety studies of anti-miR-122 nds Multiple studies were conducted in mice, rodents and non-human primates, to evaluate the safety and tolerability of GalNAc-conjugated compound 38459.

For example, compound 38459 was ted in a pro-inflammatory study in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered a single, subcutaneous dose of compound 38459. At day 14 following administration, sion ofALDOA and CXCL13 (an interferon-inducible gene) was measured in liver.

As shown in Table 0, no increase in CXCL13 expression was ed at a dose as high as 100 mg/kg, while ALDOA levels were elevated starting at the 1 mg/kg dose. A known inflammatory anti- miR-122 compound was also tested, and resulted in increases of CXCL13 levels of 2- to 2.5-fold at the , 30 and 100 mg/kg doses.

Table 0: Compound 38459 does not increase pro-inflammatory gene expression Dose of compound ALDOA CXCL13 38459 Fold-Chan g e Fold-Chan g e Additional toxicology studies were conducted in mice and non-human primates olgus monkeys), and no significant adverse effects were ed at therapeutically relevant doses.

Example 9: Conjugated Shorter Modified Oligonucleotides Cholesterol-containing compounds were formed by conjugating cholesterol to the 3’ end of the modified oligonucleotides shown in Table P. Sugar moieties, intemucleoside linkages, and nucleobases are indicated as follows: nucleosides not ed by a subscript are B-D-deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides ed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides; and each intemucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate intemucleoside linkage, except the intemucleoside linkages indicated by subscript (O), which are odiester linkages.

Table P: ugated and Conjugated Modified Oligonucleotides Sequence and Modifications 38998 CsAsCsAsCsUsCsCs Unconjugated - AsCsUsCsCs MO is CsAsCsAsCsUSCSCS To determine in viva potency, the compounds were ted for their ability to de-repress the expression of liver aldolase A (ALDOA). Compounds were administered to mice, and ALDOA mRNA levels were measured, by quantitative PCR, in RNA isolated from liver. The fold change in ALDOA mRNA, relative to , was calculated to determine in viva potency. The EDSO (concentration of compound at which ALDOA derepression is 50% of maximum) and ED9O (concentration of compound at which ALDOA deprepression is 90% ofmaximum) calculated from the results of those experiments are shown in Table Q.

Table Q: In vivo potency of conjugated and unconjugated anti-miR-122 nds ED50 (mg/kg) Fold change ED90 (mg/kg) Fold change As shown in Table Q, cholesterol conjugation according to the present invention ed the ED50 and ED90 of an 8-mer anti-miR-122 compound by at least 30-fold.

Derepression of another 2 target gene, CD320, was also determined for compounds 38070 and 38998. The s were similar to the s obtained for ALDOA (data not shown).

Cholesterol conjugation described herein also improved cholesterol-lowering potency. At most concentrations tested, compound 38070 reduced cholesterol to a greater extent than the same concentration of compound 38998 (data not .

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference (including, but not limited to, journal articles, US. and non-U.S. patents, patent application publications, international patent application publications, GENBANK® accession numbers, and the like) cited in the present application is cally incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 1. A compound comprising a modified oligonucleotide consisting of less than 16 linked nucleosides, wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified ucleotide comprises a nucleobase ce that is complementary to nucleobases 2 to 9 of miR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1), and wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least 8 contiguous nucleosides of the following structure AEMeCEAEMeCEMeCEAETETGUSCSACSACSTCSCS, (SEQ ID NO: 4), wherein the superscript “Me” tes 5-methylcytosine; nucleosides not followed by a subscript are β-D- deoxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “E” are 2’-MOE nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides; and each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage. 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the nd comprises a conjugate moiety linked to the ’ terminus or the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide. 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein the nd comprises a ate moiety linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide. 4. The compound of claim 2, wherein the compound ses a conjugate moiety linked to the ’ terminus of the ed oligonucleotide.

. The compound of claim 2, wherein the compound comprises a first conjugate moiety linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and a second conjugate moiety linked to the 5’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide. 6. The compound of any one of claims 2 to 5, n the conjugate moiety comprises at least one ligand selected from a carbohydrate, cholesterol, a lipid, a phospholipid, an dy, a lipoprotein, a hormone, a peptide, a vitamin, a steroid, and a cationic lipid. 7. The compound of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the compound has the structure: ker-MO wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide. 8. The compound of any of one claims 2 to 6, wherein the compound has the structure: Ln-linker-X-MO wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; X is a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is the ed oligonucleotide. 9. The compound of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the compound has the structure: Ln-linker-X1-Nm-X2-MO wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N of Nm is, independently, a ed or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate linkage; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide.

. The compound of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the compound has the structure: Ln-linker-X-Nm-Y-MO wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N of Nm is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X is a phosphodiester linkage or a orothioate linkage; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide. 11. The compound of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the compound has the structure: Ln-linker-Y-Nm-Y-MO wherein each L is, independently, a ligand and n is from 1 to 10; each N of Nm is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; each Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide. 12. The compound of any of claims 7 to 11, wherein if n is greater than 1, Ln-linker has the structure: L – Q’ – S – Q” – n each L is, independently, a ; n is from 1 to 10; S is a scaffold; and Q’ and Q” are, independently, linking groups. 13. The nd of claim 12, wherein Q’ and Q” are each ndently selected from a peptide, an ether, polyethylene glycol, an alkyl, a C1-C20 alkyl, a substituted C1-C20 alkyl, a C2-C20 alkenyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkenyl, a C2-C20 alkynyl, a substituted C2-C20 alkynyl, a C1-C20 alkoxy, a substituted C1-C20 alkoxy, amino, amido, a pyrrolidine, 8-amino-3,6- ctanoic acid (ADO), succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl) exanecarboxylate, and 6-aminohexanoic acid. 14. The compound of claim 12 or 13, wherein the scaffold links 2, 3, 4, or 5 ligands to the modified oligonucleotide.

. The compound of claim 14, wherein the scaffold links 3 ligands to the modified oligonucleotide. 16. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the compound has the structure: wherein: B is selected from –O-, -S-, -N(RN)-, –Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-, –Z-P(Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-X-, and –ZP (Z’)(Z”)O-Nm-Y-; MO is the ed oligonucleotide; RN is selected from H, , ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and benzyl; Z, Z’, and Z” are each independently ed from O and S; each N of Nm is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside; m is from 1 to 5; X is selected from a phosphodiester linkage and a phosphorothioate e; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and the wavy line indicates the tion to the rest of the linker and ligand(s). 17. The compound of any one of claims 8, 10, 12 and 16, wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage. 18. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 17, wherein n is from 1 to 5, 1 to 4, 1 to 3, or 1 to 2. 19. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 17, wherein n is 3.

. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 19, n at least one ligand is a carbohydrate. 21. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 20, wherein at least one ligand is selected from mannose, glucose, galactose, ribose, arabinose, fructose, , xylose, D-mannose, L- mannose, D-galactose, L-galactose, D-glucose, L-glucose, D-ribose, L-ribose, D-arabinose, L-arabinose, D-fructose, L-fructose, D-fucose, L-fucose, D-xylose, L-xylose, alpha-D- mannofuranose, beta-D-mannofuranose, alpha-D-mannopyranose, beta-D-mannopyranose, alpha-D-glucofuranose, Beta-D-glucofuranose, alpha-D-glucopyranose, beta-D- glucopyranose, alpha-D-galactofuranose, beta-D-galactofuranose, alpha-D-galactopyranose, beta-D-galactopyranose, alpha-D-ribofuranose, beta-D-ribofuranose, alpha-D-ribopyranose, beta-D-ribopyranose, D-fructofuranose, alpha-D-fructopyranose, amine, galactosamine, sialic acid, N-acetylgalactosamine. 22. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 20, n at least one ligand is selected from N- acetylgalactosamine, galactose, galactosamine, N-formylgalactosamine, N-propionylgalactosamine , N-n-butanoylgalactosamine, and N-iso-butanoyl-galactosamine. 23. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 20, wherein each ligand is N-acetylgalactosamine. 24. The compound of any one of claims 7 to 23, wherein the compound has the ure: wherein each N of Nm is, independently, a modified or fied nucleoside and m is from 1 to 5; X1 and X2 are each, independently, a phosphodiester linkage or a phosphorothioate e; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide.

. The compound of claim 24, wherein at least one of X1 and X2 is a phosphodiester linkage. 26. The nd of claim 24 or claim 25, wherein each of X1 and X2 is a phosphodiester linkage. 27. The compound of any one of claims 9 to 26, wherein m is 1. 28. The compound of any one of claims 9 to 26, wherein m is 2, 3, 4, or 5. 29. The compound of any one of claims 9 to 28, wherein Nm is N’pN”, wherein each N’ is, independently, a modified or unmodified nucleoside and p is from 0 to 4; and N” is a nucleoside comprising an unmodified sugar moiety.

. The compound of claim 29, wherein p is 0. 31. The compound of claim 29, wherein p is 1, 2, 3, or 4. 32. The compound of any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein each N’ comprises an unmodified sugar moiety. 33. The nd of any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein each unmodified sugar moiety is, independently, a β-D-ribose or a β-D-deoxyribose. 34. The nd of any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein N” comprises a purine nucleobase.

. The compound of any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein N” comprises a pyrimidine nucleobase. 36. The compound of any one of claims 29 or 31 to 34, wherein at least one N’ comprises a purine nucleobase. 37. The compound of claim 34 or 36, wherein each purine nucleobase is independently selected from adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, ne, and 7-methylguanine. 38. The nd of any one of claims 29 to 34, 36, and 37, wherein N” is a β-D- deoxyriboadenosine or a β-D-deoxyriboguanosine. 39. The compound of any one of claims 29 or 31 to 38, wherein at least one N’ ses a pyrimidine nucleobase. 40. The nd of claim 35 or 39, wherein each pyrimidine nucleobase is independently ed from cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, thymine, uracil, and 5,6-dihydrouracil. 41. The compound of any one of claims 9 to 40, wherein the sugar moiety of each N of Nm is independently selected from a β-D-ribose, a β-D-deoxyribose, a 2’-O-methoxy sugar, a 2’-O- methyl sugar, a 2’-fluoro sugar, and a bicyclic sugar moiety. 42. The compound of claim 41, wherein each bicyclic sugar moiety is independently selected from a cEt sugar moiety, an LNA sugar moiety, and an ENA sugar moiety. 43. The compound of claim 42, wherein the cEt sugar moiety is an S-cEt sugar moiety. 44. The compound of claim 42, wherein the cEt sugar moiety is an R-cEt sugar moiety. 45. A compound comprising a modified nucleotide and a conjugate moiety, wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of less than 16 linked nucleosides, wherein the nucleobase sequence of the modified oligonucleotide comprises a nucleobase sequence that is mentary to nucleobases 2 to 9 of miR-122 (SEQ ID NO: 1), and wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least 8 uous nucleosides of the ing structure: AEMeCEAEMeCEMeCEAETETGUSCSACSACSTCSCS, (SEQ ID NO: 4), wherein the superscript “Me” indicates 5-methylcytosine; nucleosides not followed by a subscript are oxyribonucleosides; nucleosides followed by a ipt “E” are 2’-MOE nucleosides; nucleosides followed by a subscript “S” are S-cEt nucleosides, and each ucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate ucleoside linkage; and wherein the conjugate moiety is linked to the 3’ terminus of the modified oligonucleotide and has the structure: wherein X is a phosphodiester linkage; m is 1; N of Nm is a β-D-deoxyriboadenosine; Y is a phosphodiester linkage; and MO is the modified oligonucleotide. 46. An in vitro method of inhibiting the activity of miR-122 in a cell comprising contacting a cell with a compound of one any one of claims 1 to 45. 47. Use of the compound of any one of claims 1 to 45 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of HCV ion in a subject. 48. The use of claim 47 wherein the medicament is to be administered to reduce the symptoms of HCV infection. 49. The use of claim 47 or claim 48 wherein the medicament is to be administered to prevent a rebound in serum HCV RNA. 50. The use of claim 47 or claim 48 wherein the medicament is to be administered to delay a rebound in serum HCV RNA. 51. The use of any one of claims 47 to 50 sing selecting a subject having HCV infection. 52. The use of any one of claims 47 to 51 wherein the subject is infected with one or more HCV pes selected from genotype 1, genotype 2, pe 3, pe 4, genotype 5, and genotype 6. 53. The use of any one of claims 47 to 52 wherein prior to administration of the compound, the subject was determined to be infected with one or more HCV genotypes selected from genotype 1, genotype 2, genotype 3, genotype 4, genotype 5, and genotype 6. 54. The use of claim 52 or claim 53, n the HCV genotype is selected from pe 1a, genotype 1b, pe 2a, genotype 2b, genotype 2c, genotype 2d, genotype 3a, genotype 3b, genotype 3c, genotype 3d, genotype 3e, genotype 3f, genotype 4a, genotype 4b, genotype 4c, genotype 4d, genotype 4e, genotype 4f, genotype 4g, genotype 4h, genotype 4i, genotype 4j, genotype 5a, and genotype 6a. 55. The use of claim 52 or claim 53, wherein the HCV genotype is selected from genotype 1a, 1b, and 2. 56. The use of any one of claims 47 to 55, wherein the medicament is to be administered with at least one additional therapeutic agent. 57. The use of any one of claims 47 to 56, wherein the subject is infected with an HCV variant that is ant to at least one therapeutic agent. 58. The use of claim 56 or claim 57, wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is selected from a protease inhibitor, a polymerase inhibitor, a cofactor inhibitor, an RNA polymerase inhibitor, a structural protein inhibitor, a non-structural protein inhibitor, a cyclophilin inhibitor, an entry inhibitor, a TLR7 agonist, and an interferon. 59. The use of claim 56 or claim 57, wherein the at least one eutic agent is selected from a protease inhibitor, an NS5A inhibitor, an NS3/4A inhibitor, a nucleoside NS5B inhibitor, a tide NS5B inhibitor, a non-nucleoside NS5B inhibitor, a cyclophilin tor and an interferon. 60. The use of claim 56 or claim 57 wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is selected from interferon alfa-2a, interferon alpha-2b, interferon alfacon-1, erferon alpha-2b, peginterferon alpha-2a, interferon-alpha-2b extended release, interferon lambda, sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, rin, telapravir, boceprevir, vaniprevir, asunaprevir, vir, setrobuvir, daclastavir, evir, alisporivir, mericitabine, tegobuvir, danoprevir, sovaprevir, and neceprevir. 61. The use of claim 56 or claim 57 wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is selected from an eron, ribavirin, and telapravir. 62. The use of any one of claims 47 to 61 wherein the subject is a sponder to at least one therapeutic agent. 63. The use of claim 62 wherein the subject is an interferon non-responder. 64. The use of claim 62 or claim 63 wherein the subject is a direct-acting iral non-responder. 65. The use of any one of claims 47 to 64 comprising selecting a subject having a HCV RNA level greater than 350,000 copies per milliliter of serum. 66. The use of any one of claims 47 to 64 comprising selecting a subject having a HCV RNA level between 350,000 and 3,500,000 copies per milliliter of serum. 67. The use of any one of claims 47 to 64 comprising selecting a subject having a HCV RNA level greater than 3,500,000 copies per milliliter of serum. 68. The use of any one of claims 47 to 67 wherein the subject has an HCV-associated disease. 69. The use of claim 68 wherein the HCV-associated disease is sis, liver is, steatohepatitis, steatosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma. 70. The use of any one of claims 47 to 69 wherein the medicament is to be administered as a dose of the compound sufficient to reduce HCV RNA level. 71. The use of claim 70 wherein the medicament is to be administered as a dose of the compound that reduces HCV RNA level below 40 copies per ml of serum. 72. The use of claim 70 wherein the medicament is to be administered as a dose of the compound sufficient to achieve at least a 2-log ion in HCV RNA level. 73. The use of any one of claims 47 to 72 wherein the medicament is to be administered to achieve a sustained virological response. 74. The use of any one of claims 47 to 73 wherein the medicament is to be administered as a dose of the compound sufficient to achieve an HCV RNA level reduction of at least 0.5 fold, at least 1.0 fold, at least 1.5 fold, at least 2.0 fold, or at least 2.5 fold. 75. The use of claim 74 wherein the HCV RNA level reduction is achieved after two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, five weeks, or six weeks of a first administration of the compound. 76. The use of any one of claims 47 to 75 wherein the medicament is to be administered once per week, once per two weeks, once per three weeks, once per month, once per two months, or once per three months. 77. The use of any one of claims 47 to 76, wherein the dose of the compound is less than or equal to mg/kg, less than or equal to 7.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 5 mg/kg per week, less than or equal to 4.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 4.0 mg/kg, less than or equal to 3.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 3.0 mg/kg, less than or equal to 2.5 mg/kg, less than or equal to 2.0 mg/kg, less than or equal to 1.5 mg/kg, or less than or equal to 1.0 mg/kg. 78. The use of any one of claims 47 to 77 n the medicament is to be administered to normalize liver enzyme levels, wherein the liver enzyme is ally alanine aminotransferase. 79. The use of any one of claims 47 to 78, wherein the compound is present in a pharmaceutical composition. 80. A compound of any one of claims 1 to 45, for use in therapy. 81. A compound of any one of claims 1 to 45, for use in treating an fected subject. 82. A compound for use according to claim 81, wherein the subject is a human. 83. The use of claim 56, n the at least one additional therapeutic agent is sofosbuvir. 84. The use of claim 56, wherein the at least one additional therapeutic agent is sofosbuvir and ledipasvir. 85. The use of claim 56, n the at least one additional therapeutic agent is daclatasvir. 86. The use of claim 56, wherein the at least one onal therapeutic agent is simeprevir.

ALDOA 38649-30 mg/kg .2 -w 38649-10 mg/kg .-e- 38649-3 mg/kg -- 38649-1 mg/kg -.- 0.3 mg/kg 20 30 ALDOA . j 4 - 3 BE -0.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 log (dose (mglkg)) HO N J rs H N 0 z 911 0 o 0 0 HN o 0 0 --- NH3V Ho HO HcIHO NHV Ho HO OH NHV AEG X2 X1- o o N/4 H NHo 0 0 NH N H y 0 0 - 01,11 AcHN OHOH OH OH ~ AcHN HO AcHN OH OH 1~H N 2 MO Y Nm x (II) 0 H L;j N NH NH 0 0 NH’ 0 O O O HO AcHN AcHN OH OH O HO AcHN OH OH OH OH H t) N 2 Lo X \ (ifi) H Ny 0 H H NH NH ( N H 0 O OH OH AcHN H AcHN OH OH AcHN OH OH H HO AIdoA -- 38368 o 38371 , 38649 LL -i-o 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 Dose (mg/kg) A IdoA 38459 .2 -•- 38458 , 38649 0.1 1 10 100 Dose ) AIdoA 09- 38649 0.1 1 10 100 Dose (mg/kg) HCV Titer io * 36848 g -•- PBS 2p -- 38459 3mg/kg CL -EF 38459 10mg/kg -e- 38459 30mg/kg -10 0 10 20 30 40 HCV Titer io -•- PBS 9 38459 10 mg/kg z io > -e- 38459 30 mg/kg -10 0 10 20 30 AIdoA . 6 C., -e- 38634 0 -D- 38998 LL 4 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 mg/kg AIdoA C 38634 38998 U- -•- PBS 0) ./ 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 Dose ) AIdoA 38633 38591 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 mg/kg AIdoA 38633 0 3 38591 LL -•- PBS 01. I 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 Dose ) /12 terol -•- PBS _ 140 -J 38998 ’ 120-i 38364 • 100-1 0 I .5 so-I 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 mg/kg Cholesterol -•- PBS -J 38591 ’ 120 38633 E 100 . 80 0.01 0.1 1 10 100 m glkg mg/kg 3 mg/kg 1 mg/kg 2420 38459 in Mouse 1612 8 Time (Hour) 40 100 10 1 0.1 001 0.00il 10 mg/kg 1 mg/kg 3 mg/kg 24 20 38649 in Mouse 16 I Time (Hour) 12 J 8 4 100 10 0.1 0.01 0 S b o.00il 24 38459 in Non-Human Primates g iuii Mg/ K 10 mg/kg 1 mg/kg 20 16 12 (Hour) 8 Time 4 Kil 0.5 0f. 0 24 38649 in man Primates 20 16 12 8 Time (Hour) 4 5 0.5 0.05 0 50 1 9124843_i SEQUENCE LISTING <110> REGULUS THERAPEUTICS INC. <120> MICRORNA COMPOUNDS AND METHODS FOR MODULATING MIR-122 <130> REGUL-32975/WO-1/ORD <150> US 61/818,432 <151> 201301 <150> US 61/822,112 <151> 201310 <150> US 61/839,550 <151> 201326 <150> US 61/895,784 <151> 201325 <150> US 61/898,704 <151> 201301 <150> US 61/927,897 <151> 201415 <160> 10 <170> Patentln version 3.5 <210> 1 <211> 22 <212> RNA <213> Homo s <400> 1 guga caaugguguu ug 22 <210> 2 <211> 85 <212> RNA <213> Homo sapiens <400> 2 ccuuagcaga gagu gugacaaugg uguuuguguc uaaacuauca auua 60 ucacacuaaa uagcuacugc uaggc 85 <210> 3 <211> 16 <212> DNA <213> Artificial sequence <220> <223> Synthetic <400> 3 ccattgtcac actcca 16 <210> 4 <211> 18 <212> DNA <213> Artificial sequence <220> Page 1 9124843_i <223> Synthetic <400> 4 acaccattgt cacactcc 18 <210> 5 <211> 21 <212> DNA <213> Artificial sequence <220> <223> synthetic <400> 5 caaacaccat tgtcacactc c 21 <210> 6 <211> 22 <212> DNA <213> Artificial sequence <220> <223> synthetic <400> 6 caaacaccat tgtcacactc ct 22 <210> 7 <211> 15 <212> DNA <213> Artificial sequence <220> <223> synthetic <400> 7 tcac actcc 15 <210> 8 <211> 13 <212> DNA <213> Artificial ce <220> <223> synthetic <400> 8 ttgtcacact cca 13 <210> 9 <211> 8 <212> DNA <213> Artificial sequence <220> <223> synthetic <400> 9 cacactcc <210> 10 <211> 16 Page 2 9124843_i <212> DNA <213> Artificial sequence <220> <223> tic <400> 10 ccattgtcac actcct 16 Page 3