WO2022264038A1 - Use of mirna-485 inhibitors for treating inflammasome-related diseases or disorders - Google Patents

Use of mirna-485 inhibitors for treating inflammasome-related diseases or disorders Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022264038A1
WO2022264038A1 PCT/IB2022/055515 IB2022055515W WO2022264038A1 WO 2022264038 A1 WO2022264038 A1 WO 2022264038A1 IB 2022055515 W IB2022055515 W IB 2022055515W WO 2022264038 A1 WO2022264038 A1 WO 2022264038A1
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seq
mir
inhibitor
nucleotides
aspects
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PCT/IB2022/055515
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French (fr)
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Jin-Hyeob RYU
Han Seok Koh
Young Jin Park
Hyun Su Min
Yu Na Lim
Dae Hoon Kim
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Biorchestra Co., Ltd.
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Priority to KR1020247000399A priority Critical patent/KR20240022540A/en
Priority to JP2023577154A priority patent/JP2024522216A/en
Publication of WO2022264038A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022264038A1/en

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Definitions

  • the present disclosure provides the use of a miR-485 inhibitor (e.g, polynucleotide encoding a nucleotide molecule comprising at least one miR-485 binding site) for the treatment of inflammasome-related diseases or disorders.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor e.g, polynucleotide encoding a nucleotide molecule comprising at least one miR-485 binding site
  • Inflammasomes are multimeric complexes formed in response to a variety of physiological and pathogenic stimuli. Inflammasome activation is an essential component of the innate immune response and is critical for the clearance of pathogens or damaged cells. However, overt inflammasome activation is also a major driver of many diseases and disorders, such as certain cardiac diseases, autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, and neurological diseases.
  • the cardiac disease is associated with abnormal (e.g ., increased) inflammasome activity.
  • the cardiac disease comprises a myocardial ischemic dysfunction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemia, post-ischemic damage, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac fibrosis, aneurysm, arteritis, cardiomyopathy (e.g., diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy), chronic heart failure, or combinations thereof.
  • the cardiac disease is myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
  • a method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR- 485 inhibitor").
  • the autoimmune disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
  • the autoimmune disease comprises a rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, Beliefs disease, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, IgA vasculitis, or combinations thereof.
  • RA rheumatoid arthritis
  • ANCA anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
  • the autoimmune disease is RA.
  • Present disclosure further provides a method of treating a kidney disease in a subj ect in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor").
  • the kidney disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
  • the kidney disease comprises an acute kidney disease (e.g, caused by poison, trauma, shock, infection, sepsis, toxin, blockage such as kidney stones, heart failure), chronic kidney disease (CKDC) (e.g, gradual loss of kidney function due to aging, genetics, blockage such as kidney stones, diabetes, infection, dental disease, immunological disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, cancer, congenial kidney malformation, congenital polycystic kidney disease), end-stage renal disease, anemia, nephritis (e.g, acute pyelonephritis, lupus nephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis), nephropathy (e.g, IgA nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, oxalate nephropathy), acute tubular necrosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerular diseases, proteinuria, or
  • a method of treating a neurological disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor").
  • the neurological disease is associated with abnormal (e.g ., increased) inflammasome activity.
  • the neurological disease is epilepsy.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor is capable of decreasing the expression level of a gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome.
  • the gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome comprises (i) a member of the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor (NLR) family, (ii) a member of the absent in melanoma 2-like receptor (ALR) family; (iii) pyrin; or (iv) any combination of (i)- (iii).
  • the expression level of the level of the gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%, compared to the expression level of a corresponding gene and/or protein in a reference subject (e.g., subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miR- 485 inhibitor).
  • a reference subject e.g., subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miR- 485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor prevents and/or reduces the formation and/or activation of an inflammasome. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor prevents and/or reduces inflammation. In some aspects, the inflammation is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%, compared to inflammation in a reference subject (e.g, subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
  • a reference subject e.g, subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor used with any of the above methods inhibits miR485-3p.
  • the miR485-3p comprises 5'-gucauacacggcucuccucucu-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1).
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 5' of the nucleotide sequence.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 3' of the nucleotide sequence.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5’-UGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2), 5'-GUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 3), 5'- CGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 4), 5'-CCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 5), 5'- GCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 6), 5'-AGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 7), 5'- GAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 8), 5'-AGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 9), 5'- GAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 10), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 11), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 12), 5'-
  • GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 13), 5'-AGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 14), 5 1 -G AG AGG AG AGC C GU GU AU G A-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 15); 5'- UGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 16), 5'-GUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 17), 5'- CGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 18), 5'-CCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 19), 5'- GCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 20), 5'-AGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 21), 5'- GAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 22), 5'-AGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 23), 5'-GAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 24), 5'-GGAGAG
  • the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5'-TGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 62), 5'-GTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 63), 5'- CGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 64), 5'-CCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 65), 5'- GCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 66), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 67), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 68), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 69), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 70), 5'-GGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 71), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGTGTGT
  • GAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 73), 5 ' - AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G A- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 74), 5 ' -GAGAGGAGAGCC GT GT AT GA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 75); 5'- TGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 76), 5'-GTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 77), 5'- CGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 78), 5'-CCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 79), 5'- GCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 80), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 81), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 82), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 83), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (S
  • the sequence of the miR-485 inhibitor is at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% sequence identity to 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 90).
  • the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence that has at least 90% similarity to 5 -
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-AGAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 90) with one substitution or two substitutions.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 90).
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least one modified nucleotide.
  • the at least one modified nucleotide is a locked nucleic acid (LNA), an unlocked nucleic acid (UNA), an arabino nucleic acid (ABA), a bridged nucleic acid (BNA), and/or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA).
  • LNA locked nucleic acid
  • UNA unlocked nucleic acid
  • ABA arabino nucleic acid
  • BNA bridged nucleic acid
  • PNA peptide nucleic acid
  • the miR-485 inhibitor comprises a backbone modification.
  • the backbone modification is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) and/or phosphorothioate (PS) modification.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor is delivered in a delivery agent.
  • the delivery agent comprises a micelle, an exosome, a lipidoid, a liposome, a lipoplex, a lipid nanoparticle, an extracellular vesicle, a synthetic vesicle, a polymeric compound, a peptide, a protein, a cell, a nanoparticle mimic, a nanotube, a conjugate, a viral vector, or combinations thereof.
  • the delivery agent comprises a cationic carrier unit comprising:
  • WP is a water-soluble biopolymer moiety
  • CC is a cationic carrier moiety
  • AM is an adjuvant moiety
  • LI and L2 are independently optional linkers.
  • the cationic carrier unit and the isolated polynucleotide are capable of associating with each other to form a micelle when mixed together.
  • the association is via a covalent bond.
  • the association is via a non-covalent bond.
  • the non-covalent bond comprises an ionic bond.
  • the water-soluble polymer comprises poly(alkylene glycols), poly(oxyethylated polyol), poly(olefmic alcohol), polyvinylpyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylamide), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylate), poly(saccharides), poly(a-hydroxy acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polyphosphazene, polyoxazolines ("POZ") poly(N-acryloylmorpholine), or any combinations thereof.
  • the water- soluble polymer comprises polyethylene glycol (“PEG”), polyglycerol, or polypropylene glycol) (“PPG").
  • the water-soluble polymer comprises: least about 113, at least about 114, at least about 115, at least about 116, at least about 117, at least about 118, at least about 119, at least about 120, at least about 121, at least about 122, at least about 123, at least about 124, at least about 125, at least about 126, at least about 127, at least about 128, at least about 129, at least about 130, at least about 131, at least about 132, at least about 133, at least about 134, at least about 135, at least about 136, at least about 137, at least about 138, at least about 139, at least about 140, or at least about 141.
  • the n is about 80 to about 90, about 90 to about 100, about 100 to about 110, about 110 to about 120, about 120 to about 130, about 140 to about 150, or about 150 to about 160.
  • the water-soluble polymer is linear, branched, or dendritic.
  • the cationic carrier moiety comprises one or more basic amino acids. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at last about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, at least about 20, at least about 21, at least about 22, at least about 23, at least about 24, at least about 25, at least about 26, at least about 27, at least about 28, at least about 29, at least about 30, at least about 31, at least about 32, at least about 33, at least about 34, at least about 35, at least about 36, at least about 37, at least about 38, at least about 39, at least about 40, at least about 41, at least about 42, at least about 43, at least about 44, at least about 45, at least about 46, at least about 47, at least about 48, at least about 49, or at least about 50
  • the basic amino acid comprises arginine, lysine, histidine, or any combination thereof.
  • the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 40 lysine monomers.
  • the adjuvant moiety is capable of modulating an immune response, an inflammatory response, and/or a tissue.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises an imidazole derivative, an amino acid, a vitamin, or any combination thereof.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises: wherein each of Gl and G2 is H, an aromatic ring, or 1-10 alkyl, or Gl and G2 together form an aromatic ring, and wherein n is 1-10.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises nitroimidazole. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises metronidazole, tinidazole, nimorazole, dimetridazole, pretomanid, omidazole, megazol, azanidazole, benznidazole, or any combination thereof.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises an amino acid. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises wherein wherein each of Z1 and Z2 is H or OH.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises a vitamin.
  • the vitamin comprises a cyclic ring or cyclic hetero atom ring and a carboxyl group or hydroxyl group.
  • the vitamin comprises: wherein each of Y1 and Y2 is C, N, O, or S, and wherein n is 1 or 2.
  • the vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin B 1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin M, vitamin H, and any combination thereof.
  • the vitamin is vitamin B3.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises at least about two, at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at least about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, or at least about 20 vitamin B3. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises about 10 vitamin B3.
  • the delivery agent comprises a water-soluble biopolymer moiety with about 120 to about 130 PEG units, a cationic carrier moiety comprising a poly-lysine with about 30 to about 40 lysines, and an adjuvant moiety with about 5 to about 10 vitamin B3.
  • the cationic carrier unit is capable of protecting the miR-485 inhibitor from enzymatic degradation.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor is administered intranasally, parenthetically, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, ophthalmic, intravenously, intraperitoneally, intradermally, intraorbitally, intracerebrally, intracranially, intracerebroventricularly, intraspinally, intraventricular, intrathecally, intracistemally, intracapsularly, intratumorally, topically, or any combination thereof.
  • the delivery agent is a micelle.
  • the micelle comprises (i) about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines, each with an amine group, (iii) about 15 to about 20 lysines, each with a thiol group, and (iv) about 30 to about 40 lysines, each linked to vitamin B3.
  • the micelle comprises (i) about 120 to about 130 PEG units, (ii) about 32 lysines, each with an amine group, (iii) about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group, and (iv) about 32 lysines, each linked to vitamin B3.
  • a targeting moiety is further linked to the PEG units.
  • the targeting moiety is a LAT1 targeting ligand.
  • the targeting moiety is phenylalanine.
  • FIG. 1 shows an exemplary architecture of a carrier unit of the present disclosure.
  • the example presented includes a cationic carrier moiety, which can interact electrostatically with anionic payloads, e.g., nucleic acids such as antisense oligonucleotides targeting a gene, e.g, miRNA (antimirs).
  • anionic payloads e.g., nucleic acids such as antisense oligonucleotides targeting a gene, e.g, miRNA (antimirs).
  • AM can be located between WP and CC.
  • the CC and AM components are portrayed in a linear arrangement for simplicity. However, as described herein, in some aspects, CC and AM can be arranged in a scaffold fashion.
  • FIGs. 2A-F show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines in the cortex and hippocampus of LPS-injected mice.
  • Brain tissue was dissected 24 h after LPS IP injection (5 mg/kg), and miR-485 inhibitor alone (i.e., without a delivery agent) was i.c.v. injected 6 days before LPS injection ("LPS+inhibitor”).
  • LPS+inhibitor As controls, (i) wild-type (WT) mice (i.e., no LPS and no miR-485 inhibitor) ("Con”) and (ii) mice that only received LPS (“LPS”) were used.
  • FIGs. 2A-C show ELISA assays of IL-6 (FIG.
  • FIGs. 2D- F show ELISA assays of IL-6 (FIG. 2D), TNF-a (FIG. 2E) and IL-Ib (FIG.
  • FIGs. 2G and 2H show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines produced by LPS-treated primary microglia.
  • FIGs. 2G shows ELISA analysis of IL-6 (left graph) and TNF-a (right graph) secretion levels in supernatants obtained from primary microglia treated with the following: (i) no treatment ("Con”; 1 st bar), (ii) miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) alone (i.e., no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor”; 2 nd bar), (iii) LPS alone (100 ng/mL) (“LPS”; 3 rd bar), or (iv) both LPS and miR- 485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+inhibitor”; 4 th bar).
  • FIG. 2H shows ELISA analysis of IL-Ib secretion level in supernatants obtained from primary microglia treated with the following: (i) no treatment ("Con”; 1 st bar), (ii) miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor”; 2 nd bar), (iii) LPS (100 ng/mL) + ATP (2.5 mM) ("LPS+ATP”; 3 rd bar), or (iv) the combination of LPS, ATP, and miR-485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+ATP+Inhibitor”; 4 th bar). All data are mean ⁇ SD. ***P ⁇ 0.001, and ****P ⁇ 0.0001 compared to the control (Con). ##P ⁇ 0.01, ###P ⁇ 0.001, and ####P ⁇ 0.0001 compared to the treated control.
  • FIGs.21 and 2J show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines produced by Ab oligomers (ApOs)-treated primary microglia.
  • FIG. 21 shows ELISA analysis of IL-6 (left graph) and TNF-a (right graph) secretion levels in supernatants obtained from primary microglia treated with the following: (i) no treatment ("Con”; 1 st bar), (ii) miR-485 inhibitor (100 mM) alone (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor”; 2 nd bar), (iii) ApOs alone (2.5 mM) (“AbO”; 3 rd bar), or (iv) both ApOs and miR- 485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("ApOs+Inhibitor”; 4 th bar).
  • the different groups shown are the same as described in FIG. 21. All data are mean ⁇ SD. ***P ⁇ 0.001, and ****P ⁇ 0.0001 compared to the control (Con). ##P ⁇ 0.01, ###P ⁇ 0.001, and ####P ⁇ 0.0001 compared to the treated control.
  • FIGs. 3A and 3B show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing IL-Ib levels through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in primary microglia.
  • FIG. 3A shows Western blot analysis of IL-Ib, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in primary microglia after treatment with LPS (100 ng/ml) and transfection of miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (without delivery agent) for 24 h. Primary microglia were treated with ATP (2.5 mM) 1 h before sampling.
  • the different treatment groups shown include: (i) no treatment ("Con”; 1 st bar in the graphs to the right); (ii) miR-485 inhibitor alone (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor”; 2 nd bar in the graphs to the right); (iii) LPS + ATP alone (“LPS+ATP”; 3 rd bar in the graphs to the right); and (iv) combination of LPS, ATP, and miR-485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+ATP+Inhibitor”; 4 th bar in the graphs to the right).
  • 3B shows Western blot analysis of IL-Ib, NLRP3, Caspase-1 in LPS-primed primary microglia after stimulation with ApOs (2.5 mM) and transfection of miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (without delivery agent) for 24 h.
  • the different treatment groups shown include: (i) no treatment ("Con”; 1 st bar in the graphs to the right); (ii) miR-485 inhibitor alone (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor”; 2 nd bar in the graphs to the right); (iii) LPS + Abqb alone ("LPS+ApOs P"; 3 rd bar in the graphs to the right); and (iv) combination of LPS, Abqb, and miR-485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+ApOs +Inhibitor”; 4 th bar in the graphs to the right).
  • FIG.3C shows Bioluminescence assay for Caspase-1 activity in primary microglia after treatment with LPS (1 ng/mL) and co-transfection of miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (no delivery agent) for 3 h.
  • the different treatment groups shown are the same as in FIG. 3A.
  • the different treatment groups shown are the same as in FIG. 3B.
  • FIGs. 4A-E show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines in the blood and peritoneal macrophages of LPS- treated mice.
  • Mice were treated with LPS (5mg/kg) by IP injection and ELISA was performed after 24 h.
  • miR-485 inhibitor was administered using a delivery agent (described herein - see, e.g ., section IV) by IV injection (5mg/kg) one day prior to LPS injection.
  • FIGs. 4A-C show ELISA analysis of IL-6 (FIG. 4A), TNF-a (FIG. 4B) and IL-ip (FIG. 4C) in blood serum from the animals from the different treatment groups.
  • FIGs. 4D and 4E show relative mRNA levels of P-6, Tnf, 11-10 (FIG. 4D) and Nlrp3, II- 1, II- 18 (FIG.
  • FIG. 5A-C show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines produced by LPS-treated bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs).
  • BMDMs bone marrow derived macrophages
  • FIG. 5A shows ELISA analysis of IL-6 (left graph), TNF-a (middle graph), IL-10 (right graph) secretion levels in supernatants obtained from BMDMs treated with one of the following: (i) no treatment ("Con”; 1 st bar), (ii) LPS alone (“LPS”; 2 nd bar), and (iii) LPS (1 pg/ml) and miR-485 inhibitor (500nM) (with delivery agent) ("LPS+Inhibitor”; 3 rd bar).
  • FIG. 5B shows ELISA analysis of IL-Ib (left graph) and IL-18 (right graph) in supernatants obtained from BMDMs treated with one of the following: (i) no treatment ("Con”; 1 st bar), (ii) LPS and ATP (“LPS+ATP”; 2 nd bar), and (iii) LPS (1 pg/ml), ATP, and miR-485 inhibitor (with delivery agent) ("LPS+ATP+Inhibitor”; 3 rd bar).
  • FIG. 5C shows Bioluminescence assay for Caspase-1 activity in BMDMs after treatment with LPS (1 pg/mL) and miR-485 inhibitor (500 nM) (with delivery agent) for 3 h.
  • the present disclosure is generally directed to the use of a miR-485 inhibitor to treat a disease or disorder associated with inflammasome.
  • inflammasomes are innate immune system receptors/sensors that are responsible for the production of inflammation in response to many infectious microbes and certain molecules from host proteins.
  • the miR-485 inhibitors described herein are capable of inhibiting and/or reducing endogenous miR-485 activity.
  • the present disclosure demonstrates that reduced miR-485 activity can regulate the expression of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes.
  • the miR-485 inhibitors provided herein are useful for treating various diseases or disorders associated with inflammasomes. Additional aspects of the present disclosure are provided throughout the present application.
  • a or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity; for example, "a nucleotide sequence,” is understood to represent one or more nucleotide sequences.
  • the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
  • the claims can be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a negative limitation.
  • Nucleotides are referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes. Unless otherwise indicated, nucleotide sequences are written left to right in 5' to 3' orientation. Nucleotides are referred to herein by their commonly known one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Accordingly, 'a' represents adenine, 'c' represents cytosine, 'g' represents guanine, 'f represents thymine, and 'u' represents uracil.
  • Amino acids are referred to herein by either their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission.
  • AAV adeno-associated virus
  • AAV includes but is not limited to, AAV type 1, AAV type 2, AAV type 3 (including types 3 A and 3B), AAV type 4, AAV type 5, AAV type 6, AAV type 7, AAV type 8, AAV type 9, AAV type 10, AAV type 11, AAV type 12, AAV type 13, AAVrh.74, snake AAV, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, ovine AAV, goat AAV, shrimp AAV, those AAV serotypes and clades disclosed by Gao et al. ( J . Virol. 75:6381 (2004)) and Moris et al. ⁇ Virol.
  • an "AAV” includes a derivative of a known AAV. In some aspects, an "AAV” includes a modified or an artificial AAV.
  • administration refers to introducing a composition, such as a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure, into a subject via a pharmaceutically acceptable route.
  • the introduction of a composition, such as a micelle comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure, into a subject is by any suitable route, including intratumorally, orally, pulmonarily, intranasally, parenterally (intravenously, intra-arterially, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, or subcutaneously), rectally, intralymphatically, intrathecally, periocularly or topically.
  • Administration includes self-administration and the administration by another.
  • a suitable route of administration allows the composition or the agent to perform its intended function. For example, if a suitable route is intravenous, the composition is administered by introducing the composition or agent into a vein of the subject.
  • the term "associated with” refers to a close relationship between two or more entities or properties.
  • a disease or condition that can be treated with the present disclosure e.g, disease or condition associated with an abnormal level of inflammasomes
  • the term “associated with” refers to an increased likelihood that a subject suffers from the disease or condition when the subject exhibits an abnormal expression of the inflammasomes.
  • the abnormal expression of the inflammasomes causes the disease or condition.
  • the abnormal expression does not necessarily cause but is correlated with the disease or condition.
  • suitable methods that can be used to determine whether a subject exhibits an abnormal expression of inflammasomes associated with a disease or condition are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure.
  • abnormal level refers to a level (expression and/or activity) that differs (e.g, increased) from a reference subject who does not suffer from a disease or condition described herein).
  • an abnormal level e.g, inflammasomes
  • an abnormal level refers to a level that is increased by at least about 0.1 -fold, at least about 0.2- fold, at least about 0.3-fold, at least about 0.4-fold, at least about 0.5-fold, at least about 0.6- fold, at least about 0.7-fold, at least about 0.8-fold, at least about 0.9-fold, at least about 1- fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 30-fold, at least about 40-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold, at least about 100-fold, at least about 200-fold, at least about 300-fold, at least about 400
  • the term “approximately,” as applied to one or more values of interest, refers to a value that is similar to a stated reference value. In certain aspects, the term “approximately” refers to a range of values that fall within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less in either direction (greater than or less than) of the stated reference value unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value).
  • Nucleotides or amino acids that are relatively conserved are those that are conserved amongst more related sequences than nucleotides or amino acids appearing elsewhere in the sequences.
  • two or more sequences are said to be “highly conserved” if they are at least 70% identical, at least 80% identical, at least 90% identical, or at least 95% identical to one another. In some aspects, two or more sequences are said to be “highly conserved” if they are about 70% identical, about 80% identical, about 90% identical, about 95%, about 98%, or about 99% identical to one another. In some aspects, two or more sequences are said to be "conserved” if they are at least 30% identical, at least 40% identical, at least 50% identical, at least 60% identical, at least 70% identical, at least 80% identical, at least 90% identical, or at least 95% identical to one another.
  • two or more sequences are said to be "conserved” if they are about 30% identical, about 40% identical, about 50% identical, about 60% identical, about 70% identical, about 80% identical, about 90% identical, about 95% identical, about 98% identical, or about 99% identical to one another. Conservation of sequence can apply to the entire length of a polynucleotide or polypeptide or can apply to a portion, region or feature thereof.
  • derived from refers to a component that is isolated from or made using a specified molecule or organism, or information (e.g ., amino acid or nucleic acid sequence) from the specified molecule or organism.
  • a nucleic acid sequence that is derived from a second nucleic acid sequence can include a nucleotide sequence that is identical or substantially similar to the nucleotide sequence of the second nucleic acid sequence.
  • the derived species can be obtained by, for example, naturally occurring mutagenesis, artificial directed mutagenesis or artificial random mutagenesis.
  • the mutagenesis used to derive nucleotides or polypeptides can be intentionally directed or intentionally random, or a mixture of each.
  • the mutagenesis of a nucleotide or polypeptide to create a different nucleotide or polypeptide derived from the first can be a random event (e.g., caused by polymerase infidelity) and the identification of the derived nucleotide or polypeptide can be made by appropriate screening methods, e.g, as discussed herein.
  • a nucleotide or amino acid sequence that is derived from a second nucleotide or amino acid sequence has a sequence identity of at least about 50%, at least about 51%, at least about 52%, at least about 53%, at least about 54%, at least about 55%, at least about 56%, at least about 57%, at least about 58%, at least about 59%, at least about 60%, at least about 61%, at least about 62%, at least about 63%, at least about 64%, at least about 65%, at least about 66%, at least about 67%, at least about 68%, at least about 69%, at least about 70%, at least about 71%, at least about 72%, at least about 73%, at least about 74%, at least about 75%, at least about 76%, at least about 77%, at least about 78%, at least about 79%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 8
  • a "coding region” or “coding sequence” is a portion of polynucleotide which consists of codons translatable into amino acids.
  • a “stop codon” (TAG, TGA, or TAA) is typically not translated into an amino acid, it can be considered to be part of a coding region, but any flanking sequences, for example promoters, ribosome binding sites, transcriptional terminators, introns, and the like, are not part of a coding region.
  • a coding region typically determined by a start codon at the 5' terminus, encoding the amino terminus of the resultant polypeptide, and a translation stop codon at the 3' terminus, encoding the carboxyl terminus of the resulting polypeptide.
  • nucleobase sequence “T-G-A (5'- 3'),” is complementary to the nucleobase sequence "A-C-T (3'- 5').”
  • Complementarity can be "partial,” in which less than all of the nucleobases of a given nucleobase sequence are matched to the other nucleobase sequence according to base pairing rules.
  • complementarity between a given nucleobase sequence and the other nucleobase sequence can be about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, or about 95%.
  • the term "complementary” refers to at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% match or complementarity to a target nucleic acid sequence (e.g ., miR-485 nucleic acid sequence). Or, there can be “complete” or “perfect” (100%) complementarity between a given nucleobase sequence and the other nucleobase sequence to continue the example.
  • a target nucleic acid sequence e.g ., miR-485 nucleic acid sequence
  • downstream nucleotide sequences relate to sequences that follow the starting point of transcription. For example, the translation initiation codon of a gene is located downstream of the start site of transcription.
  • excipient and “carrier” are used interchangeably and refer to an inert substance added to a pharmaceutical composition to further facilitate administration of a compound, e.g., a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure.
  • RNA or a polypeptide refers to a process by which a polynucleotide produces a gene product, e.g., RNA or a polypeptide. It includes without limitation transcription of the polynucleotide into micro RNA binding site, small hairpin RNA (shRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), or any other RNA product. It includes, without limitation, transcription of the polynucleotide into messenger RNA (mRNA), and the translation of mRNA into a polypeptide. Expression produces a "gene product.”
  • a gene product can be, e.g, a nucleic acid, such as an RNA produced by transcription of a gene.
  • a gene product can be either a nucleic acid, RNA or miRNA produced by the transcription of a gene, or a polypeptide which is translated from a transcript.
  • Gene products described herein further include nucleic acids with post transcriptional modifications, e.g, polyadenylation or splicing, or polypeptides with post translational modifications, e.g, phosphorylation, methylation, glycosylation, the addition of lipids, association with other protein subunits, or proteolytic cleavage.
  • homology refers to the overall relatedness between polymeric molecules, e.g. between nucleic acid molecules. Generally, the term “homology” implies an evolutionary relationship between two molecules. Thus, two molecules that are homologous will have a common evolutionary ancestor. In the context of the present disclosure, the term homology encompasses both to identity and similarity.
  • polymeric molecules are considered to be "homologous" to one another if at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 99% of the monomers in the molecule are identical (exactly the same monomer) or are similar (conservative substitutions).
  • the term "homologous” necessarily refers to a comparison between at least two sequences (e.g ., polynucleotide sequences).
  • substitutions are conducted at the nucleic acid level, i.e., substituting an amino acid residue with an alternative amino acid residue is conducted by substituting the codon encoding the first amino acid with a codon encoding the second amino acid.
  • the term “identity” refers to the overall monomer conservation between polymeric molecules, e.g., between polynucleotide molecules.
  • Calculation of the percent identity of two polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences can be performed by aligning the two sequences for optimal comparison purposes (e.g, gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first and a second polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences for optimal alignment and non-identical sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes).
  • the length of a sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or 100% of the length of the reference sequence.
  • the amino acids at corresponding amino acid positions, or bases in the case of polynucleotides, are then compared.
  • Suitable software programs that can be used to align different sequences are available from various sources.
  • One suitable program to determine percent sequence identity is bl2seq, part of the BLAST suite of program available from the U.S. government's National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST web site (blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
  • B12seq performs a comparison between two sequences using either the BLASTN or BLASTP algorithm.
  • BLASTN is used to compare nucleic acid sequences
  • BLASTP is used to compare amino acid sequences.
  • Sequence alignments can be conducted using methods known in the art such as
  • MAFFT Clustal (ClustalW, Clustal X or Clustal Omega), MUSCLE, etc.
  • Different regions within a single polynucleotide or polypeptide target sequence that aligns with a polynucleotide or polypeptide reference sequence can each have their own percent sequence identity. It is noted that the percent sequence identity value is rounded to the nearest tenth. For example, 80.11, 80.12, 80.13, and 80.14 are rounded down to 80.1, while 80.15, 80.16, 80.17, 80.18, and 80.19 are rounded up to 80.2. It also is noted that the length value will always be an integer.
  • %ID 100 x (Y/Z), where Y is the number of amino acid residues (or nucleobases) scored as identical matches in the alignment of the first and second sequences (as aligned by visual inspection or a particular sequence alignment program) and Z is the total number of residues in the second sequence. If the length of a first sequence is longer than the second sequence, the percent identity of the first sequence to the second sequence will be higher than the percent identity of the second sequence to the first sequence.
  • sequence alignments can be generated by integrating sequence data with data from heterogeneous sources such as structural data (e.g, crystallographic protein structures), functional data (e.g, location of mutations), or phylogenetic data.
  • a suitable program that integrates heterogeneous data to generate a multiple sequence alignment is T-Coffee, available at www.tcoffee.org, and alternatively available, e.g, from the EBI. It will also be appreciated that the final alignment used to calculate percent sequence identity can be curated either automatically or manually.
  • inflammasome refers to cytosolic multiprotein oligomers of the innate immune system responsible for the activation of inflammatory responses. Inflammasomes can activate caspase-1 activity, which in turn regulates the processing and activation of various inflammatory mediators, including but not limited to, IL-Ib, IL-18, and IL-33. See, e.g., Wang, Z., et al., OxidMed Cell Longev 2020: 4063562 (Feb. 17, 2020); Lin, L., et al, PLoS Pathog 15(6): el007795 (Jun.
  • Inflammasomes comprise three basic protein units: (1) a sensor molecule; (2) adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain or CARD); and (3) procaspase-1.
  • the adaptor ASC and procaspase-1 are generally common to all inflammasomes.
  • each sensor molecule is unique and responds to different stimuli, allowing the inflammasomes to be categorized into different types based on their sensor molecule component.
  • inflammasomes there are at least three canonical types of inflammasomes: (i) nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor (NLR) family (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, and NLRP12); (ii) absent in melanoma 2-like receptor (ALR) family (e.g, AIM2); and (iii) pyrin.
  • NLR nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor
  • AIM2 absent in melanoma 2-like receptor
  • additional inflammasomes include those associated with the IFI16 gene (or protein encoded thereof) ("IFI16 inflammasome").
  • isolating or purifying as used herein is the process of removing, partially removing (e.g, a fraction) of a composition of the present disclosure, e.g., a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure from a sample containing contaminants.
  • an isolated composition has no detectable undesired activity or, alternatively, the level or amount of the undesired activity is at or below an acceptable level or amount.
  • an isolated composition has an amount and/or concentration of desired composition of the present disclosure, at or above an acceptable amount and/or concentration and/or activity.
  • the isolated composition is enriched as compared to the starting material from which the composition is obtained.
  • This enrichment can be by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, at least about 99.9%, at least about 99.99%, at least about 99.999%, at least about 99.9999%, or greater than 99.9999% as compared to the starting material.
  • isolated preparations are substantially free of residual biological products.
  • the isolated preparations are 100% free, at least about 99% free, at least about 98% free, at least about 97% free, at least about 96% free, at least about 95% free, at least about 94% free, at least about 93% free, at least about 92% free, at least about 91% free, or at least about 90% free of any contaminating biological matter.
  • Residual biological products can include abiotic materials (including chemicals) or unwanted nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, or metabolites.
  • the term "linked” as used herein refers to a first amino acid sequence or polynucleotide sequence covalently or non-covalently joined to a second amino acid sequence or polynucleotide sequence, respectively.
  • the first amino acid or polynucleotide sequence can be directly joined or juxtaposed to the second amino acid or polynucleotide sequence or alternatively an intervening sequence can covalently join the first sequence to the second sequence.
  • the term "linked” means not only a fusion of a first polynucleotide sequence to a second polynucleotide sequence at the 5'-end or the 3'-end, but also includes insertion of the whole first polynucleotide sequence (or the second polynucleotide sequence) into any two nucleotides in the second polynucleotide sequence (or the first polynucleotide sequence, respectively).
  • the first polynucleotide sequence can be linked to a second polynucleotide sequence by a phosphodiester bond or a linker.
  • the linker can be, e.g., a polynucleotide.
  • a “miRNA inhibitor,” as used herein, refers to a compound that can decrease, alter, and/or modulate miRNA expression, function, and/or activity.
  • the miRNA inhibitor can be a polynucleotide sequence that is at least partially complementary to the target miRNA nucleic acid sequence, such that the miRNA inhibitor hybridizes to the target miRNA sequence.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleotide molecule that is at least partially complementary to the target miR-485 nucleic acid sequence, such that the miR-485 inhibitor hybridizes to the miR-485 sequence.
  • the hybridization of the miR-485 to the miR-485 sequence decreases, alters, and/or modulates the expression, function, and/or activity of miR-485 (e.g, hybridization results in a decrease in the expression of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes).
  • miRNA inhibitor miRNA inhibitor
  • miR-485 inhibitor miR-485 3p inhibitor
  • miRNA refers to a microRNA molecule found in eukaryotes that is involved in RNA-based gene regulation.
  • the term will be used to refer to the single-stranded RNA molecule processed from a precursor.
  • antisense oligomers can also be used to describe the microRNA molecules of the present disclosure. Names of miRNAs and their sequences related to the present disclosure are provided herein.
  • MicroRNAs recognize and bind to target mRNAs through imperfect base pairing leading to destabilization or translational inhibition of the target mRNA and thereby downregulate target gene expression.
  • targeting miRNAs via molecules comprising a miRNA binding site can reduce or inhibit the miRNA- induced translational inhibition leading to an upregulation of the target gene.
  • mismatch refers to one or more nucleobases (whether contiguous or separate) in an oligomer nucleobase sequence (e.g ., miR-485 inhibitor) that are not matched to a target nucleic acid sequence (e.g., miR-485) according to base pairing rules. While perfect complementarity is often desired, in some aspects, one or more (e.g, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 mismatches) can occur with respect to the target nucleic acid sequence. Variations at any location within the oligomer are included.
  • antisense oligomers of the disclosure include variations in nucleobase sequence near the termini, variations in the interior, and if present are typically within about 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 subunit of the 5' and/or 3' terminus. In some aspects, one, two, or three nucleobases can be removed and still provide on-target binding.
  • the terms “modulate,” “modify,” and grammatical variants thereof, generally refer when applied to a specific concentration, level, expression, function or behavior, to the ability to alter, by increasing or decreasing, e.g, directly or indirectly promoting/stimulating/up-regulating or interfering with/inhibiting/down-regulating the specific concentration, level, expression, function or behavior, such as, e.g, to act as an antagonist or agonist.
  • a modulator can increase and/or decrease a certain concentration, level, activity or function relative to a control, or relative to the average level of activity that would generally be expected or relative to a control level of activity.
  • a miRNA inhibitor disclosed herein e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor
  • Nucleic acid refers to the phosphate ester polymeric form of ribonucleosides (adenosine, guanosine, uridine or cytidine; "RNA molecules”) or deoxyribonucleosides (deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine, or deoxycytidine; "DNA molecules”), or any phosphoester analogs thereof, such as phosphorothioates and thioesters, in either single stranded form, or a double-stranded helix.
  • RNA molecules phosphate ester polymeric form of ribonucleosides
  • deoxyribonucleosides deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine, or deoxycytidine
  • DNA molecules or any phosphoester analogs thereof, such as phosphorothioates and thioesters, in either single stranded form, or a double-stranded
  • Single stranded nucleic acid sequences refer to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or single- stranded RNA (ssRNA). Double stranded DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA and RNA-RNA helices are possible.
  • nucleic acid molecule and in particular DNA or RNA molecule, refers only to the primary and secondary structure of the molecule, and does not limit it to any particular tertiary forms. Thus, this term includes double-stranded DNA found, inter alia , in linear or circular DNA molecules (e.g, restriction fragments), plasmids, supercoiled DNA and chromosomes.
  • a "recombinant DNA molecule” is a DNA molecule that has undergone a molecular biological manipulation.
  • DNA includes, but is not limited to, cDNA, genomic DNA, plasmid DNA, synthetic DNA, and semi-synthetic DNA.
  • a "nucleic acid composition" of the disclosure comprises one or more nucleic acids as described herein.
  • pharmaceutically acceptable carrier encompass any of the agents approved by a regulatory agency of the U.S. Federal government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia for use in animals, including humans, as well as any carrier or diluent that does not cause the production of undesirable physiological effects to a degree that prohibits administration of the composition to a subject and does not abrogate the biological activity and properties of the administered compound. Included are excipients and carriers that are useful in preparing a pharmaceutical composition and are generally safe, non-toxic, and desirable.
  • the term "pharmaceutical composition” refers to one or more of the compounds described herein, such as, e.g ., a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure, mixed or intermingled with, or suspended in one or more other chemical components, such as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients.
  • a pharmaceutical composition is to facilitate administration of preparations comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure to a subject.
  • polynucleotide refers to polymers of nucleotides of any length, including ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, analogs thereof, or mixtures thereof.
  • the term refers to the primary structure of the molecule.
  • the term includes triple-, double- and single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid ("DNA”), as well as triple-, double- and single-stranded ribonucleic acid (“RNA”). It also includes modified, for example by alkylation, and/or by capping, and unmodified forms of the polynucleotide.
  • polynucleotide includes polydeoxyribonucleotides
  • polyribonucleotides containing D-ribose
  • D-ribose polyribonucleotides
  • tRNA tRNA
  • rRNA shRNA
  • siRNA siRNA
  • miRNA miRNA
  • mRNA spliced or unspliced
  • other polymers containing normucleotidic backbones for example, polyamide (e.g, peptide nucleic acids "PNAs") and polymorpholino polymers, and other synthetic sequence-specific nucleic acid polymers providing that the polymers contain nucleobases in a configuration which allows for base pairing and base stacking, such as is found in DNA and RNA.
  • PNAs peptide nucleic acids
  • a polynucleotide can be, e.g, an oligonucleotide, such as an antisense oligonucleotide.
  • the oligonucleotide is an RNA.
  • the RNA is a synthetic RNA.
  • the synthetic RNA comprises at least one unnatural nucleobase.
  • all nucleobases of a certain class have been replaced with unnatural nucleobases (e.g, all uridines in a polynucleotide disclosed herein can be replaced with an unnatural nucleobase, e.g, 5-methoxyuridine).
  • polypeptide polypeptide
  • peptide protein
  • protein polymers of amino acids of any length.
  • the polymer can comprise modified amino acids.
  • the terms also encompass an amino acid polymer that has been modified naturally or by intervention; for example, disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation or modification, such as conjugation with a labeling component.
  • polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid including, for example, unnatural amino acids such as homocysteine, ornithine, p-acetylphenylalanine, D-amino acids, and creatine
  • amino acid including, for example, unnatural amino acids such as homocysteine, ornithine, p-acetylphenylalanine, D-amino acids, and creatine
  • polypeptide refers to proteins, polypeptides, and peptides of any size, structure, or function.
  • Polypeptides include gene products, naturally occurring polypeptides, synthetic polypeptides, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, fragments and other equivalents, variants, and analogs of the foregoing.
  • a polypeptide can be a single polypeptide or can be a multi -molecular complex such as a dimer, trimer or tetramer. They can also comprise single chain or multichain polypeptides. Most commonly disulfide linkages are found in multichain polypeptides.
  • the term polypeptide can also apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residues are an artificial chemical analogue of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid.
  • a "peptide" can be less than or equal to about 50 amino acids long, e.g., about 5, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, or about 50 amino acids long.
  • prevent refers partially or completely delaying onset of an disease, disorder and/or condition; partially or completely delaying onset of one or more symptoms, features, or clinical manifestations of a particular disease, disorder, and/or condition; partially or completely delaying onset of one or more symptoms, features, or manifestations of a particular disease, disorder, and/or condition; partially or completely delaying progression from a particular disease, disorder and/or condition; and/or decreasing the risk of developing pathology associated with the disease, disorder, and/or condition. In some aspects, preventing an outcome is achieved through prophylactic treatment.
  • promoter and “promoter sequence” are interchangeable and refer to a DNA sequence capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA.
  • a coding sequence is located 3' to a promoter sequence. Promoters can be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic DNA segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters can direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental or physiological conditions.
  • Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in most cell types at most times are commonly referred to as “constitutive promoters.” Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in a specific cell type are commonly referred to as “cell-specific promoters” or “tissue-specific promoters.” Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed at a specific stage of development or cell differentiation are commonly referred to as “developmentally-specific promoters” or “cell differentiation-specific promoters.” Promoters that are induced and cause a gene to be expressed following exposure or treatment of the cell with an agent, biological molecule, chemical, ligand, light, or the like that induces the promoter are commonly referred to as “inducible promoters” or “regulatable promoters.” It is further recognized that since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of different lengths can have identical promoter activity.
  • the promoter sequence is typically bounded at its 3' terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5' direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background.
  • a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined for example, by mapping with nuclease SI), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase.
  • a promoter that can be used with the present disclosure includes a tissue specific promoter.
  • prophylactic refers to a therapeutic or course of action used to prevent the onset of a disease or condition, or to prevent or delay a symptom associated with a disease or condition.
  • a “prophylaxis” refers to a measure taken to maintain health and prevent the onset of a disease or condition, or to prevent or delay a symptom associated with a disease or condition.
  • the term "gene regulatory region” or “regulatory region” refers to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5' non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3' non-coding sequences) of a coding region, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing, stability, or translation of the associated coding region. Regulatory regions can include promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, polyadenylation recognition sequences, RNA processing sites, effector binding sites, or stem-loop structures. If a coding region is intended for expression in a eukaryotic cell, a polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3' to the coding sequence.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein e.g ., a polynucleotide encoding a RNA comprising one or more miR-485 binding site
  • a promoter and/or other expression (e.g., transcription) control elements operably associated with one or more coding regions.
  • a coding region for a gene product is associated with one or more regulatory regions in such a way as to place expression of the gene product under the influence or control of the regulatory region(s).
  • a coding region and a promoter are "operably associated" if induction of promoter function results in the transcription of mRNA encoding the gene product encoded by the coding region, and if the nature of the linkage between the promoter and the coding region does not interfere with the ability of the promoter to direct the expression of the gene product or interfere with the ability of the DNA template to be transcribed.
  • Other expression control elements besides a promoter, for example enhancers, operators, repressors, and transcription termination signals, can also be operably associated with a coding region to direct gene product expression.
  • similarity refers to the overall relatedness between polymeric molecules, e.g. between polynucleotide molecules (e.g. miRNA molecules). Calculation of percent similarity of polymeric molecules to one another can be performed in the same manner as a calculation of percent identity, except that calculation of percent similarity takes into account conservative substitutions as is understood in the art. It is understood that percentage of similarity is contingent on the comparison scale used, i.e., whether the nucleic acids are compared, e.g, according to their evolutionary proximity, charge, volume, flexibility, polarity, hydrophobicity, aromaticity, isoelectric point, antigenicity, or combinations thereof.
  • subject refers to any mammalian subject, including without limitation, humans, domestic animals (e.g, dogs, cats and the like), farm animals (e.g, cows, sheep, pigs, horses and the like), and laboratory animals (e.g, monkey, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs and the like) for whom diagnosis, treatment, or therapy is desired, particularly humans.
  • domestic animals e.g, dogs, cats and the like
  • farm animals e.g, cows, sheep, pigs, horses and the like
  • laboratory animals e.g, monkey, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs and the like
  • the phrase "subject in need thereof includes subjects, such as mammalian subjects, that would benefit from administration of a miRNA inhibitor of the disclosure (e.g, miR-485 inhibitor), e.g, to decrease abnormal inflammasome activity.
  • a miRNA inhibitor of the disclosure e.g, miR-485 inhibitor
  • the term "therapeutically effective amount” is the amount of reagent or pharmaceutical compound comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure that is sufficient to a produce a desired therapeutic effect, pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect on a subject in need thereof.
  • a therapeutically effective amount can be a "prophylactically effective amount" as prophylaxis can be considered therapy.
  • treat refers to, e.g., the reduction in severity of a disease or condition; the reduction in the duration of a disease course; the amelioration or elimination of one or more symptoms associated with a disease or condition; the provision of beneficial effects to a subject with a disease or condition, without necessarily curing the disease or condition.
  • treatment refers to, e.g., the reduction in severity of a disease or condition; the reduction in the duration of a disease course; the amelioration or elimination of one or more symptoms associated with a disease or condition; the provision of beneficial effects to a subject with a disease or condition, without necessarily curing the disease or condition.
  • treating refers to, e.g., the reduction in severity of a disease or condition; the reduction in the duration of a disease course; the amelioration or elimination of one or more symptoms associated with a disease or condition; the provision of beneficial effects to a subject with a disease or condition, without necessarily curing the disease or condition.
  • the term also includes prophylaxis or prevention of a disease or condition or its symptoms
  • upstream refers to a nucleotide sequence that is located 5' to a reference nucleotide sequence.
  • a "vector” refers to any vehicle for the cloning of and/or transfer of a nucleic acid into a host cell.
  • a vector can be a replicon to which another nucleic acid segment can be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment.
  • a “replicon” refers to any genetic element (e.g, plasmid, phage, cosmid, chromosome, virus) that functions as an autonomous unit of replication in vivo , i.e., capable of replication under its own control.
  • the term "vector” includes both viral and nonviral vehicles for introducing the nucleic acid into a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo.
  • Plasmids A large number of vectors are known and used in the art including, for example, plasmids, modified eukaryotic viruses, or modified bacterial viruses. Insertion of a polynucleotide into a suitable vector can be accomplished by ligating the appropriate polynucleotide fragments into a chosen vector that has complementary cohesive termini.
  • Vectors can be engineered to encode selectable markers or reporters that provide for the selection or identification of cells that have incorporated the vector. Expression of selectable markers or reporters allows identification and/or selection of host cells that incorporate and express other coding regions contained on the vector.
  • selectable marker genes known and used in the art include: genes providing resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, hygromycin, bialaphos herbicide, sulfonamide, and the like; and genes that are used as phenotypic markers, i.e., anthocyanin regulatory genes, isopentanyl transferase gene, and the like.
  • reporters known and used in the art include: luciferase (Luc), green fluorescent protein (GFP), chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), b-galactosidase (LacZ), b-glucuronidase (Gus), and the like. Selectable markers can also be considered to be reporters.
  • miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure can exert therapeutic effects by regulating inflammasome activity (e.g, increasing or decreasing the formation and/or activation of inflammasomes).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein can regulate inflammasome activity by modulating the expression and/or activity of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes. Non-limiting examples of such genes are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure.
  • inflammasomes require two steps. See, e.g., Mane/ al., ImmunolRev 265(1): 6-21 (May 2015).
  • the first step involves a priming signal in which pathogen activated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or danger-activated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are recognized by Toll-like receptors, leading to the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB)-mediated signaling, which in turn up-regulates transcription of various inflammasome-related components (e.g, NLRs and ALRs).
  • PAMPs pathogen activated molecular patterns
  • DAMPs danger-activated molecular patterns
  • NF-kB nuclear factor kappa B
  • the second step involves the assembly of the inflammasome complex, which is initiated by "nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat receptors" (NLRs) or “absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2)-like receptors” (ALRs).
  • NLRs and ALRs interact with the "adapter protein apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a CARD” (ASC) and procaspase-1, forming an inflammasome complex. This triggers the transformation of procaspase-1 to caspase-1, and the production and secretion of various inflammatory mediators, including mature IL-lb and IL-18. Therefore, in some aspects, by reducing the expression and/or activity of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes, the miR-485 inhibitors described herein can modulate (e.g, reduce) inflammation in a subject in need thereof.
  • inflammasomes comprise three basic protein units: (1) a sensor molecule; (2) adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain or CARD); and (3) procaspase-1.
  • the adaptor ASC and procaspase-1 are generally common to all inflammasomes.
  • each sensor molecule is unique and responds to different stimuli, allowing the inflammasomes to be categorized into different types based on their sensor molecule component.
  • NLR nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor
  • AIM melanoma 2-like receptor
  • pyrin a 2-like receptor family
  • the miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure can be useful in treating diseases or disorders associated with any type of inflammasomes known in the art, such as those disclosed herein.
  • a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with inflammasomes belonging to the NLR family.
  • the inflammasome belonging to the NLR family comprises a NLRPl inflammasome, NLRP3 inflammasome, NLRC4 inflammasome, NLRP6 inflammasome, NLRPl 2 inflammasome, or combinations thereof.
  • a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure is associated with a NLRPl inflammasome.
  • the disease or disorder is associated with NLRP3 inflammasome.
  • the disease or disorder is associated with NLRC4 inflammasome.
  • the disease or disorder is associated with NLRP6 inflammasomes. In some aspects, the disease or disorder is associated with NLRP12 inflammasome. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with inflammasomes belonging to the ALR family. In some aspects, the disease or disorder is associated with an AIM2 inflammasome. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with pyrin inflammasomes. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with IFI16 inflammasomes.
  • a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises a cardiac disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises an autoimmune disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises a kidney disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises a neurological disease. Additional disclosure relating to such diseases and disorders are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can decrease the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) belonging to the NLR family.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRPl gene (or protein encoded thereof).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRP3 gene (or protein encoded thereof).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRC4 gene (or protein encoded thereof).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRP6 gene (or protein encoded thereof).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression of a NLRP12 gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) belonging to the ALR family. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression of a AIM2 gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can decrease the expression of a pyrin gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR- 485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression and/or activity of a IFI16 gene (or protein encoded thereof).
  • the NLRP1 gene encodes a member of the Ced-4 family of apoptosis proteins. Ced-family members contain a caspase recruitment domain (CARD) and are known to be key mediators of programmed cell death.
  • the encoded protein contains a distinct N- terminal pyrin-like motif.
  • the NLRPl protein was the first protein shown to form an inflammasome. The protein interacts strongly with caspase 2 and weakly with caspase 9.
  • the NLRPl gene is located on chromosome 17 in humans (nucleotides 5,499,427 to 5,619,424 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000017.11, minus strand orientation).
  • NLRPl gene including the encoded protein thereof
  • examples include: “DEFCAP,” “CARD7,” “NAC,” “Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, Leucine Rich Repeat And Pyrin Domain Containing 1,” “NACHT, Leucine Rich Repeat And PYD (Pyrin Domain) Containing 1,” “Death Effector Filament-Forming Ced-4-Like Apoptosis Protein,” “Nucleotide-Binding Domain And Caspase Recruitment Domain,” “NACHT, LRR And PYD Domains-Containing Protein 1,” “Caspase Recruitment Domain-Containing Protein 7,” and “NALP1.”
  • NLRPl isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-1; also known as NAC beta, DEFCAP-L, NALP1-L) consists of 1,473 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 91).
  • NLRPl isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-2; also known as NAC alpha, DEFCAP-S, NALP1-S) consists of 1,429 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 1262-1305: Missing.
  • NLRPl isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-3; also known as NAC gamma) consists of 1,399 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 958-987: Missing; and (ii) 1262-1305: Missing.
  • NLRP1 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-4; also known as NAC delta) is made up of 1,443 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 958-987: Missing.
  • NLRP1 isoform 5 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-5) consists of 1,375 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 1044-1044: A ⁇ AGKSH; (ii) 1354-1371: DLMPATTLIPPARIAVPS ⁇ RNTSQPWNLRCNRDARRY; and (iii) 1372-1473: Missing.
  • NLRP1 isoform 6 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-6) is 739 amino acids in length and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 1-734: Missing.
  • NLRP1 isoform 7 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-7) consists of 409 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 1-966: Missing; (ii) 1044-1044: A ⁇ AGKSH; (iii) 1354-1371: DLMPATTLIPPARIAVPS ⁇ RNTSQPWNLRCNRDARRY; and (iv) 1372-1473: Missing. Table 1 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP1 isoforms. Table 1. NLRP1 Protein Isoforms
  • NLRP1 includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP1 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, isoform 4, isoform 5, isoform 6, isoform 7 are collectively referred to herein as
  • NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is a protein that in human is encoded by the NLRP3 gene.
  • the NLRP3 gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 1 in humans (nucleotides 247,416,156 to 247,449, 108 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000001.11, plus strand orientation).
  • Synonyms of the NLRP3 gene, and the encoded protein thereof, are known and include: “cryopyrin,” “CLR1.1,” “PYPAF1,” “NALP3,” “nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3," “cold-induced autoinflammatory syndrome 1 protein,” “NACHT, LRR AndPYD domains- containing protein 3," “PYRIN-containing APAFl-like protein 1,” “deafness, autosomal dominant 34,” “Caterpiller Protein 1.1,” “AGTAVPRL,” “NACHT domain-, leucine-rich repeat-, and PYD-containing protein 3,” “cryopyrin, NACHT, LRR and PYD domains - containing protein 3,” “angiotensin/vasopressin receptor All/ AVP-like,” “Clorf7,” “CIAS1,” “DFNA34,” “FACS,” “All,” “AVP,” “FCU,” “MWS
  • NLRP3 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-1) consists of 1,036 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 123).
  • NLRP3 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-2) consists of 922 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 721-777: missing, and (ii) 836-892: missing (SEQ ID NO: 124).
  • NLRP3 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-3) consists of 719 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 720-1036: missing (SEQ ID NO: 125).
  • NLRP3 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-4) is 979 amino acids in length and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 721-777: missing (SEQ ID NO: 126).
  • NLRP3 isoform 5 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-5) is 979 amino acids in length and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 836-892: missing (SEQ ID NO: 127).
  • NLRP3 isoform 6 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20- 6) consists of 1,016 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 776-796: WLGRCGLSHECCFDISLVLSS C (SEQ ID NO: 128). Table 2 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP3 isoforms.
  • NLRP3 includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP3 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, isoform 4, isoform 5, and isoform 6 are collectively referred to herein as "NLRP3.”
  • NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NLRC4 gene.
  • the NLRC4 gene is located on chromosome 2 in humans (nucleotides 32,224,449 to 32,265,743 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000002.12, minus strand orientation).
  • NLRC4 gene including the encoded protein thereof
  • Synonyms of the NLRC4 gene include: “NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 4," “CLAN1,” “CLAN,” “Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, Leucine Rich Repeat And CARD Domain Containing 4,” “Caspase Recruitment Domain- Containing Protein 12,” “CARD, LRR, And NACHT-Containing Protein,” “NOD-Like Receptor C4,” “CARD12,” and “IPAF.”
  • NLRC4 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-1; also known as CLANA) consists of 1,024 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 98).
  • NLRC4 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-1; also known as CLANB) consists of 359 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 89-753: Missing.
  • NLRC4 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-3; also known as CLANC) consists of 156 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 155-156: NG VL; and (ii) 157-1024: Missing.
  • NLRC4 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-4; also known as CLAND) consists of 92 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 90-92: FHQ --> LTA; and (ii) 93-1024: Missing. Table 3 below provides the sequences for the different NLRC4 isoforms.
  • NLRC4 includes any variants or isoforms of NLRC4 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, and isoform 4 are collectively referred to herein as " NLRC4.”
  • the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) protein is encoded by the NLRP6 gene.
  • the NLRP6 gene is located on chromosome 1 in humans (nucleotides 278,365 to 285,942 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000011.10, plus strand orientation).
  • Synonyms of the NLRP6 gene are known and non-limiting examples include: “PYPAF5,” “Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, Leucine Rich Repeat And Pyrin Domain Containing 6," “ ACHT, Leucine Rich Repeat And PYD Containing 6,” “PYRIN-Containing APAFl-Like Protein 5,” “Angiotensin II/Vasopressin Receptor,” “NALP6,” and “PAN3.”
  • NLRP6 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: P59044-1) consists of 892 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102).
  • NLRP6 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: P59044-2) consists of 891 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 702-702: Missing. Table 4 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP6 isoforms.
  • NLRP6 includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP6 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1 and isoform 2 are collectively referred to herein as "NLRP6.”
  • NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 12 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NLRP12 gene.
  • the NLRP12 gene is located on chromosome 19 in humans (nucleotides 53,793,584 to 53,824,403 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000019.10, minus strand orientation).
  • Synonyms of the NLRP12 gene are known and non-limiting examples include: "PYPAF7,” "NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 12,” “PYRIN-Containing APAFl-Like Protein 7," "NALP12,” “PAN6,” “RN02,” and “Monarch 1.”
  • NLRP12 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: P59046-1) consists of 1,061 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 104).
  • NLRP12 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: P59046-2) consists of 1,005 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 976-1031: Missing.
  • NLRP12 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: P59046-3) consists of 949 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 862-973: Missing.
  • NLRP12 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: P59046-4) consists of 891 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 862-1031: Missing.
  • NLRP12 isoform 5 (UniProt identifier: P59046-5) is made up of 287 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 1-717: Missing; (ii) 718-748: LSLYRNALGSRGVKLLCQGLRHPNCKLQNLR ⁇ MSQAWWHTSVSPATQEAKAGGL LQPRRQRLW; and (iii) 921-977: Missing.
  • NLRP12 isoform 6 (UniProt identifier: P59046-6) consists of 1,004 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 920-976: Missing.
  • NLRP12 isoform 7 (UniProt identifier: P59046-7) consists of 1,062 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 691-691: L ⁇ LR.” Table 5 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP12 isoforms. Table 5.
  • NLRP12 includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP12 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, isoform 4, isoform 5, isoform 6, isoform 7 are collectively referred to herein as
  • the AIM2 gene encodes the interferon-inducible protein AIM2 (AIM2).
  • the AIM2 gene is located on chromosome 1 in humans (nucleotides 159,059,226 to 159,147,096 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000001.11, minus strand orientation). Synonyms of the AIM2 gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non limiting examples include: " Absent In Melanoma 2" and "PYHIN4.”
  • Table 6 below provides the amino acid sequence for the AIM2 protein.
  • AIM2 includes any variants or isoforms of AIM2 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1 and isoform 2 are collectively referred to herein as "AIM2.”
  • IFI-16 gamma-interferon-inducible protein IFI-16
  • IFI-16 is encoded by the IFI16 gene, which is located on chromosome 1 (nucleotides 158,969,766 to 159,024,941 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000001.11, plus strand orientation).
  • Synonyms of the IFI16 gene are known and non-limiting examples include: "IFNGIP1,” "Interferon-Inducible Myeloid Differentiation Transcriptional Activator," and "PYHIN2.”
  • IFI-16 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q16666-1; also known as "IFI 16A") consists of 785 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 112).
  • IFI-16 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q16666-2; also known as "IFI 16B”) consists of 729 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 444-499: Missing.
  • IFI-16 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q16666-3; also known as "IFI 16C") consists of 673 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 444-555: Missing.
  • IFI-16 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q 16666-6) consists of 729 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 128-183: Missing. Table 7 below provides the amino acid sequence for the IFI-16 protein.
  • IFI-16 includes any variants or isoforms of IFI-16 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform, 3, and isoform 4 are collectively referred to herein as " IFI-16.”
  • the pyrin protein is encoded by the MEFV gene.
  • the MEFV gene is located on chromosome 16 in humans (nucleotides 3,242,027 to 3,256,776 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000016.10, minus strand orientation).
  • Synonyms of the MEFU gene are known and non-limiting examples include: "MEFV Innate Immunity Regulator, Pyrin," “Marenostrin,” “TRIM20,” and "Mediterranean Fever.”
  • Pyrin isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: 015553-2) consists of 781 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 116).
  • Pyrin isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: 015553-1) consists of 570 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 93-303: Missing.
  • Pyrin isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: 015553-3) consists of 445 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 93-303: Missing; and (ii) 587-781: VPELIGAQ AH.. TCP VGGQGPD DHSPQHGLGS ... GADWRSGTCC . Table 8 below provides the sequences for the different pyrin isoforms.
  • pyrin includes any variants or isoforms of pyrin which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, and isoform 3 are collectively referred to herein as "pyrin.”
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure decreases the expression of one or more genes and/or proteins associated with an inflammasome (e.g. , NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, or pyrin) by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about 150%, at least about 200%, or at least about 300% compared to a reference (e.g., expression of the one or more genes and/or proteins in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
  • a reference e.g., expression of the one or more genes and/or proteins in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression of one or more genes and/or proteins associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, or pyrin) by reducing the expression and/or activity of miR-485, e.g., miR-485-3p.
  • a miR- 485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can reduce the expression and/or activity of miR-485- 3p.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression and/or activity of miR-485-3p by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100% compared to a reference (e.g, miR-485- 3p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
  • a reference e.g, miR-485- 3p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression and/or activity of miR-485-5p by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100% compared to a reference (e.g, miR-485- 5p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
  • a reference e.g, miR-485- 5p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression and/or activity of both miR-485-3p and miR-485-5p by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100% compared to a reference (e.g, miR-485-3p and miR-485-5p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
  • the expression of miR- 485-3p and/or miR-485-5p is completely inhibited after the administration of the miR-485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat a cardiac disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating a cardiac disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRPl 2, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL- 18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the cardiac disease.
  • an inflammasome e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRPl 2, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL- 18, or Caspase
  • the term "cardiac disease” refers to any disease affecting the heart and is not particularly limited as long as the disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
  • the cardiac disease comprises a myocardial ischemic dysfunction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemia, postischemic damage, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac fibrosis, aneurysm, arteritis, cardiomyopathy ( e.g ., diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy), chronic heart failure, or combinations thereof.
  • a cardiac disease that can be used to treat with a miR-485 inhibitor provided herein comprises a myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
  • I/R myocardial ischemia/reperfusion
  • administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with a cardiac disease.
  • symptoms include: chest discomfort (angina); nausea; shortness of breath; pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in legs or arms; pain in neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back; tachycardia; bradycardia; dizziness; fainting; cyanosis; and combinations thereof.
  • the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat an autoimmune disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g., NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL- 6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the autoimmune disease.
  • an inflammasome e.g., NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL- 6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18, or Caspase-1
  • autoimmune disease refers to a disease caused by an inability of a host's immune system to distinguish foreign molecules from self-molecules, such that the host's immune system attacks and destroys the self-molecules.
  • self molecules e.g. , protein or DNA
  • foreign molecules refer to molecules that are derived from another, and are of a non-native origin.
  • Autoimmune diseases that can be treated with the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as the disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
  • autoimmune disease comprises a rheumatic disease.
  • a rheumatic disease comprises a rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, Beh e s disease, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, IgA vasculitis, type 1 diabetes, atopy, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, Graves' disease, or combinations thereof.
  • the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis.
  • administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with an autoimmune disease. Non-limiting examples of such symptoms include: fatigue; joint pain and swelling; recurring fever; swollen glands; and combinations thereof.
  • the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat a kidney disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating a kidney disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRPl 2, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL- 18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the kidney disease.
  • an inflammasome e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRPl 2, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL- 18, or Caspase
  • kidney disease refers to a any disease or disorder that can negatively affect one or more kidney functions. Any kidney diseases can be treated with the miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure, as long as the kidney disease is associated with an abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
  • kidney diseases that can be treated include: acute kidney disease (e.g, caused by poison, trauma, shock, infection, sepsis, toxin, blockage such as kidney stones, heart failure), chronic kidney disease (CKDC) (e.g, gradual loss of kidney function due to aging, genetics, blockage such as kidney stones, diabetes, infection, dental disease, immunological disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, cancer, congenial kidney malformation, congenital polycystic kidney disease), end-stage renal disease, anemia, nephritis (e.g, acute pyelonephritis, lupus nephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis), nephropathy (e.g, IgA nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, oxalate nephropathy), acute tubular necrosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerular diseases, protein
  • administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with a kidney disease.
  • symptoms include: vomiting; frequent urge to urinate; decreased urine output; swelling of ankles; fatigue; loss of appetite; sleep problems; muscle cramps; persistent itching; and combinations thereof.
  • Neurological Diseases include: vomiting; frequent urge to urinate; decreased urine output; swelling of ankles; fatigue; loss of appetite; sleep problems; muscle cramps; persistent itching; and combinations thereof.
  • the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat a neurological disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating a neurological disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the neurological disease.
  • an inflammasome e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18, or Caspase
  • the term "neurological disease” refers to a disease that affects the central and/or peripheral nervous system (e.g, brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junctions, or muscles).
  • any neurological disease can be treated using the miR- 485 inhibitors described herein, as long as the neurological disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
  • a neurological disease that can be treated with a miR-485 inhibitor comprises epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, infection, autism spectrum disorder, or combinations thereof.
  • the neurological disease is epilepsy.
  • epilepsy refers to any of the various neurological disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and often manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions (i.e., seizures). There are over 40 different types of epilepsy, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure.
  • Absence seizures (petit mal), atonic seizures, benign Rolandic epilepsy, childhood absence, clonic seizures, complex partial seizures, frontal lobe epilepsy, Febrile seizures, Infantile spasms, Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile Absence Epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, myoclonic seizures, Mitochondrial Disorders, Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsies, Psychogenic Seizures, Reflex Epilepsy, Rasmussen's Syndrome, Simple Partial Seizures and Epilepsy, Secondarily Generalized Seizures, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Toni-clonic seizures (gran mal), Tonic seizures, Psychomotor Seizures, Complex Partial Seizures and Epilepsy, Limbic Epilepsy, Partial-Onset Seizures, generalized-onset seizures, Status Epilepticus, Abdominal Epilepsy, Akinetic Seizures, Auto-nomic seizures
  • epilepsy syndromes by location or distribution of seizures (as revealed by the appearance of the seizures and by EEG) and by cause. Syndromes are divided into localization-related epilepsies, generalized epilepsies, or epilepsies of unknown localization.
  • administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with a neurological disorder.
  • symptoms include: confusion; staring spell; uncontrollable jerking movements of arms and legs; loss of consciousness or awareness; psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or deja vu; and combinations thereof.
  • a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: a multiple sclerosis (MS), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), joint inflammation, contact hypersensitivity, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), tendonitis, bursitis, psoriasis, arthrosteitis, giant cell arteritis, progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), polymyositis (inflammatory myopathy), pemphigus, mixed connective tissue disease, sclerosing cholangitis, inflammatory dermatoses, sarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis and related forms of angiitis (temporal arteritis and polyarteritis no
  • a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a pulmonary disease.
  • a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: an asthma, allergic airway inflammation, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, hayfever, hyperinflammation following an infection (e.g ., influenza infection), silicosis, asbestosis, bronchiectasis, berylliosis, talcosis, pneumoconiosis, obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia, pneumonitis, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, giant cell interstitial pneumonia, cellular interstitial pneumonia, tuberculosis, cystic
  • a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a metabolic disease.
  • a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: a familial hypercholesterolemia, Gaucher disease, Hunter syndrome, Krabbe disease, Maple syrup urine disease, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes (MELAS), Niemann-Pick, Phenylketonuria (PKU), Porphyria, Ta-Sachs disease, Wilson's disease, and combinations thereof.
  • administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein to a subject can decrease the amount of inflammation in the subject.
  • the decrease in the amount of inflammation can improve and/or alleviate one or more symptoms associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity (e.g, such as those described herein).
  • the amount of inflammation in the subject is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or about 100%, compared to the amount of inflammation in a reference subject (e.g ., the same subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miRNA inhibitor).
  • a reference subject e.g ., the same subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miRNA inhibitor.
  • the amount of inflammation in a subject can be measured using any suitable methods known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,598,080; and Leng, S.X., et al, J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 63(8): 879-884 (Aug. 2008); each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • the amount of inflammation in a subject can be determined by measuring the level of one or more inflammatory mediators in the subject.
  • inflammatory mediators include: prostaglandins, leukotrienes, platelet-activating factor, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines, neuropeptides, complement, and combinations thereof.
  • the inflammatory mediator comprises IL-Ib.
  • the inflammatory mediator comprises TNF-a.
  • the inflammatory mediator comprises both TNF-a and IL-Ib.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can prevent and/or reduce the formation and/or activation of inflammasomes, which, in turn, can reduce the amount of inflammation.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor can prevent and/or reduce the formation and/or activation of inflammasomes by modulating the expression of one or more components of inflammasomes (e.g, such as those described herein).
  • administering a miR-485 inhibitor to a subject can decrease the amount of inflammasomes in the subject by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or about 100%, compared to the amount of inflammation in a reference subject (e.g, the same subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miRNA inhibitor).
  • a reference subject e.g, the same subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miRNA inhibitor.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein can be administered by any suitable route known in the art.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor is administered intranasally, parenthetically, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, ophthalmic, intravenously, intraperitoneally, intradermally, intraorbitally, intracerebrally, intracranially, intracerebroventricularly, intraspinally, intraventricular, intrathecally, intracistemally, intracapsularly, intratumorally, or any combination thereof.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can be used in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents.
  • the additional therapeutic agent and the miR-485 inhibitor are administered concurrently.
  • the additional therapeutic agent and the miR-485 inhibitor are administered sequentially.
  • miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein do not result in any adverse effects.
  • miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure do not adversely affect body weight when administered to a subject.
  • miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein do not result in increased mortality or cause pathological abnormalities when administered to a subject.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleotide molecule that comprises at least one miR-485 binding site, wherein the nucleotide molecule does not encode a protein.
  • the miR-485 binding site is at least partially complementary to the target miRNA nucleic acid sequence (i.e., miR-485), such that the miR-485 inhibitor hybridizes to the miR-485 nucleic acid sequence.
  • the miR-485 binding site of a miR inhibitor disclosed herein has at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% sequence complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence of a miR-485.
  • the miR-485 binding site is fully complementary to the nucleic acid sequence of a miR-485.
  • the miR-485 hairpin precursor can generate both miR-485-5p and miR-485-3p.
  • miR-485" encompasses both miR-485-5p and miR-485- 3p unless specified otherwise.
  • the human mature miR-485-3p has the sequence 5'- GUCAUACACGGCUCUCCUCUCU-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1; miRBase Acc. No. MIMAT0002176).
  • a 5' terminal subsequence of miR-485-3p 5'-UCAUACA-3' is the seed sequence.
  • the human mature miR-485-5p has the sequence 5'- AGAGGCUGGCCGUGAUGAAUUC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 33; miRBase Acc. No. MIMAT0002 175).
  • a 5' terminal subsequence of miR-485-5p 5'-GAGGCUG-3' (SEQ ID NO: 50) is the seed sequence.
  • the human mature miR-485-3p has significant sequence similarity to that of other species.
  • the mouse mature miR-485-3p differs from the human mature miR-485-3p by a single amino acid at each of the 5'- and 3'- ends (i.e., has an extra "A” at the 5'-end and missing "C” at the 3'-end).
  • the mouse mature miR-485-3p has the following sequence: 5'-AGUC AUACACGGCUCUCCUCUC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 34; miRBase Acc. No. MIMAT0003129; underlined portion corresponds to overlap to human mature miR-485-3p).
  • the sequence for the mouse mature miR-485-5p is identical to that of the human: 5'-agaggcuggccgugaugaauuc-3' (SEQ ID NO: 33; miRBase Acc. No.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is capable of binding miR-485-3p and/or miR-485-5p from one or more species.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is capable of binding to miR-485-3p and/or miR-485-5p from both human and mouse.
  • the miR-485 binding site is a single-stranded polynucleotide sequence that is complementary (e.g ., fully complementary) to a sequence of a miR-485-3p (or a subsequence thereof).
  • the miR-485-3p subsequence comprises the seed sequence.
  • the miR-485 binding site has at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% sequence complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49.
  • the miR-485 binding site is complementary to miR-485-3p except for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mismatches.
  • the miR-485 binding site is fully complementary to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.
  • the miR-485 binding site is a single-stranded polynucleotide sequence that is complementary (e.g., fully complementary) to a sequence of a miR-485-5p (or a subsequence thereof). In some aspects, the miR-485-5p subsequence comprises the seed sequence.
  • the miR-485 binding site has at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% sequence complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50.
  • the miR-485 binding site is complementary to miR-485-5p except for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mismatches.
  • the miR-485 binding site is fully complementary to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35.
  • the seed region of a miRNA forms a tight duplex with the target mRNA.
  • Most miRNAs imperfectly base-pair with the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, and the 5' proximal "seed" region of miRNAs provides most of the pairing specificity.
  • UTR 3' untranslated region
  • the miRNA ribonucleotides 3' of this region allow for lower sequence specificity and thus tolerate a higher degree of mismatched base pairing, with positions 2-7 being the most important.
  • the miR-485 binding site comprises a subsequence that is fully complementary (i.e., 100% complementary) over the entire length of the seed sequence of miR- 485.
  • miRNA sequences and miRNA binding sequences that can be used in the context of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, all or a portion of those sequences in the sequence listing provided herein, as well as the miRNA precursor sequence, or complement of one or more of these miRNAs.
  • any aspects of the disclosure involving specific miRNAs or miRNA binding sites by name is contemplated also to cover miRNAs or complementary sequences thereof whose sequences are at least about at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 71%, at least about 72%, at least about 73%, at least about 74%, at least about 75%, at least about 76%, at least about 77%, at least about 78%, at least about 79%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% identical to the mature sequence of the specified miRNA
  • miRNA binding sequences of the present disclosure can include additional nucleotides at the 5', 3', or both 5' and 3' ends of those sequences in the sequence listing provided herein, as long as the modified sequence is still capable of specifically binding to miR-485.
  • miRNA binding sequences of the present disclosure can differ in at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more nucleotides with respect to those sequence in the sequence listing provided, as long as the modified sequence is still capable of specifically binding to miR-485.
  • a miRNA-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises at least
  • nucleotide at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 5' of the nucleotide sequence.
  • a miRNA-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 3' of the nucleotide sequence.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is about 6 to about 30 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 7 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 8 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 9 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is 10 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 11 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 12 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 13 nucleotides in length.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 14 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 15 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 16 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is 17 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 18 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 19 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 20 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is 21 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 22 nucleotides in length.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% identical to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, wherein the nucleotide sequence can optionally comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mismatches.
  • a miRNA inhibitor comprises 5'-UGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2),
  • 5'-GUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 3), 5'-CGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 4), 5'- CCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 5'-GCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 6), 5'- AGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 7), 5'-GAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 8), 5'- AGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 5'-GAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 10), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 11), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 12), 5'-GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 13), 5'- AGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 14), or 5'-
  • the miRNA inhibitor has 5'-UGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 16),
  • 5'-GUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 17), 5'-CGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 18), 5'- CCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 19), 5'-GCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 20), 5'- AGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 21), 5'-GAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 22), 5'-AGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 23), 5'-GAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 24), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 25), 5'-
  • the miRNA inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5'-TGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 62), 5'-GTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 63), 5'- CGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 64), 5'-CCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 65), 5'- GCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 66), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 67), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 68), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 69), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 70), 5'-GGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 71), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 71), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID
  • GAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 73), 5 ' - AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G A- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 74), 5 ' -GAGAGGAGAGCC GT GT AT GA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 75); 5'- TGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 76), 5'-GTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 77), 5'- CGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 78), 5'-CCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 79), 5'- GCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 80), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 81), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 82), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 83), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (S
  • a miRNA inhibitor disclosed herein comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% identical to 5 -
  • the miRNA inhibitor comprises a nucleotide sequence that has at least 90% similarity to 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GU GU AU GAC -3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-
  • the miRNA inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-AGAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 90) with one substitution or two substitutions.
  • the miRNA inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 90).
  • the miRNA inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five additional nucleic acid at the N terminus, at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, or at least five additional nucleic acid at the C terminus, or both.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and one additional nucleic acid at the N terminus and/or one additional nucleic acid at the C terminus.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and one or two additional nucleic acids at the N terminus and/or one or two additional nucleic acids at the C terminus.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and one to three additional nucleic acids at the N terminus and/or one to three additional nucleic acids at the C terminus.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor comprises 5'- GAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 29).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor comprises 5’- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises one miR-
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein comprises at least two miR-485 binding sites. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises three miR-485 binding sites. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises four miR-485 binding sites. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises five miR-485 binding sites. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises six or more miR-485 binding sites. In some aspects, all the miR- 485 binding sites are identical. In some aspects, all the miR-485 binding sites are different. In some aspects, at least one of the miR-485 binding sites is different. In some aspects, all the miR-485 binding sites are miR-485-3p binding sites. In other aspects, all the miR-485 binding sites are miR-485-5p binding sites. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least one miR-485-3p binding site and at least one miR-485-5p binding site.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein comprises a polynucleotide which includes at least one chemically modified nucleoside and/or nucleotide.
  • modified polynucleotides When the polynucleotides of the present disclosure are chemically modified the polynucleotides can be referred to as "modified polynucleotides.”
  • a “nucleoside” refers to a compound containing a sugar molecule (e.g ., a pentose or ribose) or a derivative thereof in combination with an organic base (e.g., a purine or pyrimidine) or a derivative thereof (also referred to herein as “nucleobase”).
  • a “nucleotide” refers to a nucleoside including a phosphate group. Modified nucleotides can be synthesized by any useful method, such as, for example, chemically, enzymatically, or recombinantly, to include one or more modified or non-natural nucleosides.
  • Polynucleotides can comprise a region or regions of linked nucleosides. Such regions can have variable backbone linkages.
  • the linkages can be standard phosphodiester linkages, in which case the polynucleotides would comprise regions of nucleotides.
  • modified polynucleotides disclosed herein can comprise various distinct modifications.
  • the modified polynucleotides contain one, two, or more (optionally different) nucleoside or nucleotide modifications.
  • a modified polynucleotide can exhibit one or more desirable properties, e.g, improved thermal or chemical stability, reduced immunogenicity, reduced degradation, increased binding to the target microRNA, reduced non-specific binding to other microRNA or other molecules, as compared to an unmodified polynucleotide.
  • a polynucleotide of the present disclosure is chemically modified.
  • the terms "chemical modification” or, as appropriate, “chemically modified” refer to modification with respect to adenosine (A), guanosine (G), uridine (U), thymidine (T) or cytidine (C) ribo- or deoxyribonucleosides in one or more of their position, pattern, percent or population, including, but not limited to, its nucleobase, sugar, backbone, or any combination thereof.
  • a polynucleotide of the present disclosure can have a uniform chemical modification of all or any of the same nucleoside type or a population of modifications produced by downward titration of the same starting modification in all or any of the same nucleoside type, or a measured percent of a chemical modification of all any of the same nucleoside type but with random incorporation
  • the polynucleotide of the present disclosure e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor
  • Modified nucleotide base pairing encompasses not only the standard adenine- thymine, adenine-uracil, or guanine-cytosine base pairs, but also base pairs formed between nucleotides and/or modified nucleotides comprising non-standard or modified bases, wherein the arrangement of hydrogen bond donors and hydrogen bond acceptors permits hydrogen bonding between a non-standard base and a standard base or between two complementary non standard base structures.
  • non-standard base pairing is the base pairing between the modified nucleobase inosine and adenine, cytosine or uracil. Any combination of base/sugar or linker can be incorporated into polynucleotides of the present disclosure.
  • TD's of the present disclosure can be administered as RNAs, as DNAs, or as hybrid molecules comprising both RNA and DNA units.
  • the polynucleotide (e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor) includes a combination of at least two (e.g, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 18, 20 or more) modified nucleobases.
  • the nucleobases, sugar, backbone linkages, or any combination thereof in a polynucleotide are modified by at least about 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99% or 100%.
  • the chemical modification is at nucleobases in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (e.g ., a miR-485 inhibitor).
  • the at least one chemically modified nucleoside is a modified uridine (e.g., pseudouridine (y), 2-thiouridine (s2U), 1- methyl-pseudouridine (ih ⁇ y), 1 -ethyl-pseudouridine (e ⁇ y), or 5-methoxy-uridine (mo5U)), a modified cytosine (e.g, 5-methyl-cytidine (m5C)) a modified adenosine (e.g., 1-methyl- adenosine (ml A), N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A), or 2-methyl-adenine (m2 A)), a modified guanosine (e.g ., 7-methyl-guanosine (m7G) or
  • the polynucleotide of the present disclosure is uniformly modified (e.g, fully modified, modified throughout the entire sequence) for a particular modification.
  • a polynucleotide can be uniformly modified with the same type of base modification, e.g, 5-methyl-cytidine (m5C), meaning that all cytosine residues in the polynucleotide sequence are replaced with 5-methyl-cytidine (m5C).
  • m5C 5-methyl-cytidine
  • a polynucleotide can be uniformly modified for any type of nucleoside residue present in the sequence by replacement with a modified nucleoside such as any of those set forth above.
  • the polynucleotide of the present disclosure includes a combination of at least two (e.g. , 2, 3, 4 or more) of modified nucleobases.
  • the polynucleotide of the present disclosure can include any useful linkage between the nucleosides.
  • linkages, including backbone modifications, that are useful in the composition of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to the following: 3'-alkylene phosphonates, 3'-amino phosphoramidate, alkene containing backbones, aminoalkylphosphoramidates, aminoalkylphosphotriesters, boranophosphates, -CH 2 -0-N(CH3)-CH 2 -, -CH 2 -N(CH3)-N(CH 3 )-CH 2 -, -CH 2 -NH-CH 2 -, chiral phosphonates, chiral phosphorothioates, formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones, methylene (methylimino), methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones, methyleneimin
  • the presence of a backbone linkage disclosed above increase the stability and resistance to degradation of a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., miR- 485 inhibitor).
  • a backbone modification that can be included in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure comprises phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) and/or phosphorothioate (PS) modification.
  • PMO phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer
  • PS phosphorothioate
  • the modified nucleosides and nucleotides which can be incorporated into a polynucleotide of the present disclosure ⁇ i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) can be modified on the sugar of the nucleic acid.
  • the sugar modification increases the affinity of the binding of a miR-485 inhibitor to miR-485 nucleic acid sequence.
  • affinity-enhancing nucleotide analogues in the miR-485 inhibitor such as LNA or 2'-substituted sugars, can allow the length and/or the size of the miR-485 inhibitor to be reduced.
  • nucleotides in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure contain sugar modifications ⁇ e.g, LNA).
  • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22 nucleotide units in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure are sugar modified ⁇ e.g, LNA).
  • RNA includes the sugar group ribose, which is a 5-membered ring having an oxygen.
  • modified nucleotides include replacement of the oxygen in ribose ⁇ e.g, with S, Se, or alkylene, such as methylene or ethylene); addition of a double bond ⁇ e.g, to replace ribose with cyclopentenyl or cyclohexenyl); ring contraction of ribose ⁇ e.g, to form a 4-membered ring of cyclobutane or oxetane); ring expansion of ribose ⁇ e.g, to form a 6- or 7-membered ring having an additional carbon or heteroatom, such as for anhydrohexitol, altritol, mannitol, cyclohexanyl, cyclohexenyl, and morpholino that also has a phosphoramidate backbone); multi cycl
  • the sugar group can also contain one or more carbons that possess the opposite stereochemical configuration than that of the corresponding carbon in ribose.
  • a polynucleotide molecule can include nucleotides containing, e.g., arabinose, as the sugar.
  • the 2' hydroxyl group (OH) of ribose can be modified or replaced with a number of different substituents.
  • Exemplary substitutions at the 2'-position include, but are not limited to, H, halo, optionally substituted Ci- 6 alkyl; optionally substituted Ci- 6 alkoxy; optionally substituted C6-10 aryloxy; optionally substituted C3-8 cycloalkyl; optionally substituted C3-8 cycloalkoxy; optionally substituted C6-10 aryloxy; optionally substituted C6-10 aryl-Ci- 6 alkoxy, optionally substituted Ci-12 (heterocyclyl)oxy; a sugar (e.g, ribose, pentose, or any described herein); a polyethyleneglycol (PEG), -0(CH2CH20)nCH2CH20R, where R is H or optionally substituted alkyl, and n is an integer from 0 to 20 (e.g, from 0 to 4, from
  • nucleotide analogues present in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure comprise, e.g, 2'-0-alkyl-RNA units, 2'-OMe-RNA units, 2'-0-alkyl-SNA, 2'-amino-DNA units, 2'-fluoro-DNA units, LNA units, arabino nucleic acid (ANA) units, 2'-fluoro-ANA units, HNA units, INA (intercalating nucleic acid) units, 2'MOE units, or any combination thereof.
  • the LNA is, e.g, oxy-LNA (such as beta- D-oxy-LNA, or alpha-L-oxy-LNA), amino-LNA (such as beta-D-amino-LNA or alpha-L- amino-LNA), thio-LNA (such as beta-D-thioO-LNA or alpha-L-thio-LNA), ENA (such a beta- D-ENA or alpha-L-ENA), or any combination thereof.
  • oxy-LNA such as beta- D-oxy-LNA, or alpha-L-oxy-LNA
  • amino-LNA such as beta-D-amino-LNA or alpha-L- amino-LNA
  • thio-LNA such as beta-D-thioO-LNA or alpha-L-thio-LNA
  • ENA such a beta- D-ENA or alpha-L-ENA
  • nucleotide analogues that can be included in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure comprises a locked nucleic acid (LNA), an unlocked nucleic acid (UNA), an arabino nucleic acid (ABA), a bridged nucleic acid (BNA), and/or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA).
  • LNA locked nucleic acid
  • UNA unlocked nucleic acid
  • ABA arabino nucleic acid
  • BNA bridged nucleic acid
  • PNA peptide nucleic acid
  • a polynucleotide of the present disclosure can comprise both modified RNA nucleotide analogues (e.g, LNA) and DNA units.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor is a gapmer. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,404,649; 8,580,756; 8,163,708; 9,034,837; all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
  • a miR-485 inhibitor is a micromir. See U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. US20180201928, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • a polynucleotide of the present disclosure can include modifications to prevent rapid degradation by endo- and exo-nucleases.
  • Modifications include, but are not limited to, for example, (a) end modifications, e.g., 5' end modifications (phosphorylation, dephosphorylation, conjugation, inverted linkages, etc.), 3' end modifications (conjugation, DNA nucleotides, inverted linkages, etc.), (b) base modifications, e.g., replacement with modified bases, stabilizing bases, destabilizing bases, or bases that base pair with an expanded repertoire of partners, or conjugated bases, (c) sugar modifications (e.g., at the 2' position or 4' position) or replacement of the sugar, as well as (d) intemucleoside linkage modifications, including modification or replacement of the phosphodiester linkages.
  • end modifications e.g., 5' end modifications (phosphorylation, dephosphorylation, conjugation, inverted linkages, etc.), 3' end modifications (conjug
  • the miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure can be administered, e.g., to a subject suffering from a disease or condition associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity, using any relevant delivery system known in the art.
  • the delivery system is a vector.
  • the present disclosure provides a vector comprising a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure.
  • the vector is viral vector.
  • the viral vector is an adenoviral vector or an adenoassociated viral vector.
  • the viral vector is an AAV that has a serotype of AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAV10, or any combination thereof.
  • the adenoviral vector is a third generation adenoviral vector.
  • ADEASYTM is by far the most popular method for creating adenoviral vector constructs. The system consists of two types of plasmids: shuttle (or transfer) vectors and adenoviral vectors.
  • the transgene of interest is cloned into the shuttle vector, verified, and linearized with the restriction enzyme Pm el.
  • This construct is then transformed into ADEASIER-1 cells, which are BJ5183 E. coli cells containing P ADEASYTM.
  • P ADEASYTM is a ⁇ 33Kb adenoviral plasmid containing the adenoviral genes necessary for vims production.
  • the shuttle vector and the adenoviral plasmid have matching left and right homology arms which facilitate homologous recombination of the transgene into the adenoviral plasmid.
  • Recombinant adenoviral plasmids are then verified for size and proper restriction digest patterns to determine that the transgene has been inserted into the adenoviral plasmid, and that other patterns of recombination have not occurred. Once verified, the recombinant plasmid is linearized with Pad to create a linear dsDNA construct flanked by ITRs. 293 or 911 cells are transfected with the linearized construct, and virus can be harvested about 7-10 days later.
  • other methods for creating adenoviral vector constructs known in the art at the time the present application was filed can be used to practice the methods disclosed herein.
  • the viral vector is a retroviral vector, e.g., a lentiviral vector (e.g., a third or fourth generation lentiviral vector).
  • Lentiviral vectors are usually created in a transient transfection system in which a cell line is transfected with three separate plasmid expression systems. These include the transfer vector plasmid (portions of the HIV provirus), the packaging plasmid or construct, and a plasmid with the heterologous envelop gene (env) of a different virus.
  • the three plasmid components of the vector are put into a packaging cell which is then inserted into the HIV shell.
  • the virus portions of the vector contain insert sequences so that the virus cannot replicate inside the cell system.
  • AAV vector can comprise a known vector or can comprise a variant, fragment, or fusion thereof.
  • the AAV vector is selected from the group consisting of AAV type 1 (AAV1), AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, bovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof.
  • the AAV vector is derived from an AAV vector selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof.
  • the AAV vector is a chimeric vector derived from at least two
  • AAV vectors selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof.
  • the AAV vector comprises regions of at least two different AAV vectors known in the art.
  • the AAV vector comprises an inverted terminal repeat from a first
  • AAV e.g., AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, or any derivative thereof) and a second inverted terminal repeat from a second AAV (e.g., AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate
  • the AVV vector comprises a portion of an AAV vector selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV 10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof.
  • the AAV vector comprises AAV2.
  • the AVV vector comprises a splice acceptor site.
  • the AVV vector comprises a promoter. Any promoter known in the art can be used in the AAV vector of the present disclosure.
  • the promoter is an RNA Pol III promoter.
  • the RNA Pol III promoter is selected from the group consisting of the U6 promoter, the HI promoter, the 7SK promoter, the 5S promoter, the adenovirus 2 (Ad2) VAI promoter, and any combination thereof.
  • the promoter is a cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene (CMV) promoter, an EFla promoter, an SV40 promoter, a PGK1 promoter, a Ubc promoter, a human beta actin promoter, a CAG promoter, a TRE promoter, a UAS promoter, a Ac5 promoter, a polyhedrin promoter, a CaMKIIa promoter, a GALl promoter, a GAL 10 promoter, a TEF promoter, a GDS promoter, a ADH1 promoter, a CaMV35S promoter, or a Ubi promoter.
  • the promoter comprises the U6 promoter.
  • the AAV vector comprises a constitutively active promoter
  • the constitutive promoter is selected from the group consisting of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), adenosine deaminase, pyruvate kinase, beta-actin promoter, cytomegalovirus (CMV), simian virus (e.g ., SV40), papilloma virus, adenovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Rous sarcoma virus, a retrovirus long terminal repeat (LTR), Murine stem cell virus (MSCV) and the thymidine kinase promoter of herpes simplex virus.
  • HPRT hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase
  • CMV cytomegalovirus
  • simian virus e.g ., SV40
  • papilloma virus e.g ., SV40
  • HSV40 human immunodeficiency virus
  • Rous sarcoma virus
  • the promoter is an inducible promoter.
  • the inducible promoter is a tissue specific promoter.
  • the tissue specific promoter drives transcription of the coding region of the AVV vector in a neuron, a glial cell, or in both a neuron and a glial cell.
  • the AVV vector comprises one or more enhancers. In some aspects, the one or more enhancer are present in the AAV alone or together with a promoter disclosed herein. In some aspects, the AAV vector comprises a 3'UTR poly(A) tail sequence. In some aspects, the 3'UTR poly(A) tail sequence is selected from the group consisting of bGH poly(A), actin poly(A), hemoglobin poly(A), and any combination thereof. In some aspects, the 3'UTR poly(A) tail sequence comprises bGH poly(A).
  • a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is administered with a delivery agent.
  • delivery agents include an exosome, a lipidoid, a liposome, a lipoplex, a lipid nanoparticle, an extracellular vesicle, a synthetic vesicle, a polymeric compound, a peptide, a protein, a cell, a nanoparticle mimic, a nanotube, a micelle, a viral vector, or a conjugate.
  • the present disclosure also provides a composition comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) and a delivery agent.
  • the delivery agent comprises a carrier unit, e.g., that can self-assemble into micelles or be incorporated into micelles.
  • the delivery agent comprises a cationic carrier unit comprising
  • [WP]-L1-[AM]-L2-[CC] (formula II) wherein WP is a water-soluble biopolymer moiety; CC is a positively charged (i.e., cationic) carrier moiety; AM is an adjuvant moiety; and, L1 and L2 are independently optional linkers, and wherein when mixed with a nucleic acid at an ionic ratio of about 1:1, the cationic carrier unit forms a micelle.
  • the miRNA inhibitor and the cationic carrier unit are capable of associating with each other (e.g., via a covalent bond or a non-valent bond) to form a micelle when mixed together.
  • composition comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) interacts with the cationic carrier unit via an ionic bond.
  • the water-soluble polymer comprises poly(alkylene glycols), poly(oxyethylated polyol), poly(olefinic alcohol), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylamide), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylate), poly(saccharides), poly( ⁇ -hydroxy acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polyphosphazene, polyoxazolines (“POZ”) poly(N-acryloylmorpholine), or any combinations thereof.
  • POZ polyoxazolines
  • the water- soluble polymer comprises polyethylene glycol ("PEG”), polyglycerol, or poly(propylene glycol) (“PPG”). In some aspects, the water-soluble polymer comprises: , (formula III), wherein n is 1-1000.
  • the n is at least about 110, at least about 111, at least about 112, at least about 113, at least about 114, at least about 115, at least about 116, at least about 117, at least about 118, at least about 119, at least about 120, at least about 121, at least about 122, at least about 123, at least about 124, at least about 125, at least about 126, at least about 127, at least about 128, at least about 129, at least about 130, at least about 131, at least about 132, at least about 133, at least about 134, at least about 135, at least about 136, at least about 137, at least about 138, at least about 139, at least about 140, or at least about 141.
  • the n is about 80 to about 90, about 90 to about 100, about 100 to about 110, about 110 to about 120, about 120 to about 130, about 140 to about 150, about 150 to about 160.
  • the water-soluble polymer is linear, branched, or dendritic.
  • the cationic carrier moiety comprises one or more basic amino acids.
  • the cationic carrier moiety comprises at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine, at least ten, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at last 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, at least 24, at least 25, at least 26, at least 27, at least 28, at least 29, at least 30, at least 31, at least 32, at least 33, at least 34, at least 35, at least 36, at least 37, at least 38, at least 39, at least 40, at least 41, at least 42, at least 43, at least 44, at least 45, at least 46, at least 47, at least 48, at least 49, or at least 50 basic amino acids.
  • the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 30 to about 50 basic amino acids.
  • the basic amino acid comprises arginine, lysine, histidine, or any combination thereof.
  • the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 40 lysine monomers.
  • the adjuvant moiety is capable of modulating an immune response, an inflammatory response, and/or a tissue microenvironment.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises an imidazole derivative, an amino acid, a vitamin, or any combination thereof.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises: (formula IV), wherein each of G1 and G2 is H, an aromatic ring, or 1-10 alkyl, or G1 and G2 together form an aromatic ring, and wherein n is 1-10.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises nitroimidazole. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises metronidazole, tinidazole, nimorazole, dimetridazole, pretomanid, omidazole, megazol, azanidazole, benznidazole, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises an amino acid.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises (formula V), wherein Ar is wherein each of Z1 and Z2 is H or OH.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises a vitamin.
  • the vitamin comprises a cyclic ring or cyclic hetero atom ring and a carboxyl group or hydroxyl group.
  • the vitamin comprises: wherein each of Y1 and Y2 is C, N, O, or S, and wherein n is 1 or 2.
  • the vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin B 1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin M, vitamin H, and any combination thereof.
  • the vitamin is vitamin B3.
  • the adjuvant moiety comprises at least about two, at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at least about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, or at least about 20 vitamin B3. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises about 10 vitamin B3.
  • the composition comprises a water-soluble biopolymer moiety with about 120 to about 130 PEG units, a cationic carrier moiety comprising a poly-lysine with about 30 to about 40 lysines, and an adjuvant moiety with about 5 to about 10 vitamin B3.
  • the composition comprises (i) a water-soluble biopolymer moiety with about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines with an amine group (e.g., about 32 lysines), (iii) about 15 to 20 lysines, each having a thiol group (e.g., about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group), and (iv) about 30 to 40 lysines fused to vitamin B3 (e.g., about 32 lysines, each fused to vitamin B3).
  • an amine group e.g., about 32 lysines
  • a thiol group e.g., about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group
  • vitamin B3 e.g., about 32 lysines, each fused to vitamin B3
  • the composition further comprises a targeting moiety, e.g., a LAT1 targeting ligand, e.g., phenyl alanine, linked to the water soluble polymer.
  • a targeting moiety e.g., a LAT1 targeting ligand, e.g., phenyl alanine
  • the thiol groups in the composition form disulfide bonds.
  • the composition comprises (1) a micelle comprising (i) about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines with an amine group (e.g., about 32 lysines), (iii) about 15 to 20 lysines, each having a thiol group (e.g., about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group), and (iv) about 30 to 40 lysines fused to vitamin B3 (e.g., about 32 lysines, each fused to vitamin B3), and (2) a miR485 inhibitor (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30), wherein the miR485 inhibitor is encapsulated within the micelle.
  • a micelle comprising (i) about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines with an amine group (e.g., about 32 lysines), (iii) about 15 to 20 lysines, each having a thiol group (
  • the composition further comprises a targeting moiety, e.g., a LAT1 targeting ligand, e.g., phenyl alanine, linked to the PEG units.
  • a targeting moiety e.g., a LAT1 targeting ligand, e.g., phenyl alanine
  • the thiol groups in the micelle form disulfide bonds.
  • the present disclosure also provides a micelle comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30) wherein the miRNA inhibitor and the deliver ⁇ ' agent are associated with each other.
  • miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure i.e., miR-485 inhibitor, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30
  • the association is a covalent bond, a non-covalent bond, or an ionic bond.
  • the positive charge of the cationic carrier moiety of the cationic carrier unit is sufficient to form a micelle when mixed with the miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein in a solution, wherein the overall ionic ratio of the positive charges of the cationic carrier moiety of the cationic carrier unit and the negative charges of the miR-485 inhibitor (or vector comprising the inhibitor) in the solution is about 1: 1.
  • the cationic carrier unit is capable of protecting the miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) from enzymatic degradation. See PCT Publication No. WO2020/261227, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the present disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein (e.g., a polynucleotide or a vector comprising the miR-485 inhibitor) that are suitable for administration to a subject.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions generally comprise a miR-485 inhibitor described herein (e.g, a polynucleotide or a vector) and a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient or carrier in a form suitable for administration to a subject.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers are determined in part by the particular composition being administered, as well as by the particular method used to administer the composition.
  • compositions comprising a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions are generally formulated sterile and in full compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  • GMP Good Manufacturing Practice
  • kits or products of manufacture comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (e.g., a polynucleotide, vector, or pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein) and optionally instructions for use, e.g., instructions for use according to the methods disclosed herein.
  • the kit or product of manufacture comprises a miR-485 inhibitor (e.g., vector, e.g, an AAV vector, a polynucleotide, or a pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure) in one or more containers.
  • the kit or product of manufacture comprises miR-485 inhibitor (e.g, a vector, e.g, an AAV vector, a polynucleotide, or a pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure) and a brochure.
  • miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein e.g, vectors, polynucleotides, and pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure, or combinations thereof
  • MeO-PEG-PLL(TFA) 500 mg was dissolved in methanol (60 mL) and IN NaOH
  • This synthesis step generated the water-soluble biopolymer (WP) and cationic carrier (CC) of a cationic carrier unit of the present disclosure (see FIG. 1).
  • Azido-poly(ethylene glycol)-6-poly(L-lysine) was synthesized by ring opening polymerization of Lys(TFA)-NCA with azido- PEG (N3-PEG).
  • N3-PEG 300 mg, 0.06 mmol
  • Lys(TFA)-NCA (1287 mg, 4.8 mmol) were separately dissolved in DMF containing 1M thiourea and DMF(or NMP).
  • Lys(TFA)-NCA solution was dropped into the N3-PEG solution by micro syringe and the reaction mixture was stirred at 37 °C for 4 days.
  • the reaction bottles were purged with argon and vacuum. All reactions were conducted in argon atmosphere.
  • N3-PEG-PLL 500 mg was dissolved in methanol (60 mL) and IN NaOH (6 mL) was dropped into the polymer solution with stirring. The mixture was maintained for 1 day with stirring at 37°C. The reaction mixture was dialyzed against 10 mM HEPES for 4 times and distilled water. White powder of N3-PEG-PLL was obtained after lyophilization.
  • tissue-specific adjuvant moieties (methoxy or) azido-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L- lysine/nicotinamide/mercaptopropanamide) (N3-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH)):
  • the tissue-specific adjuvant moieties (AM, see FIG. 1) were attached to the WP-CC component of a cationic carrier unit of the present disclosure.
  • the tissue-specific adjuvant moiety (AM) used in the cationic carrier unit was nicotinamide (vitamin B3). This step would yield the WP-CC- AM components of the cationic carrier unit depicted in FIG. 1.
  • N 3 -PEG-PLL(Nic/SH) was synthesized by chemical modification of N3-PEG-PLL and nicotinic acid in the presence of EDC/NHS.
  • N3-PEG-PLL (372 mg, 25.8 pmol) and nicotinic acid (556.7 mg, 1.02 equiv. to NH2 of PEG-PLL) were separately dissolved in mixture of deionized water and methanol (1:1).
  • EDOHC1 556.7 mg, 1.5 equiv. to Fh of N3-PEG-PLL
  • NHS 334.2 mg, 1.5 equiv. to NH2 of PEG-PLL
  • the reaction mixture was added into the N3-PEG-PLL solution.
  • the reaction mixture was maintained at 37 °C for 16 hours with stirring.
  • 3,3’- dithiodiproponic acid (36.8 mg, 0.1 equiv.) was dissolved in methanol, EDOHC1 (40.3 mg, 0.15 equiv.), and NHS (24.2 mg, 0.15 equiv.) were dissolved each in deionized water.
  • NHS and EDOHC1 were added sequentially into 3,3’-dithiodiproponic acid solution.
  • the mixture solution was stirred for 4 hours at 37 °C after adding crude N 3 -PEG-PLL(Nic) solution.
  • N3-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH) 130 mg, 6.5 pmol
  • alkyne modified phenyl alanine 5.7 mg, 4.0 equiv.
  • Nano sized PIC micelles were prepared by mixing MeO- or Phe-PEG-PLL(Nic) and miRNA.
  • PEG-PLL(Nic) was dissolved in HEPES buffer (10 mM) at 0.5 mg/mL concentration.
  • a miRNA solution (22.5 mM) in RNAse free water was mixed with the polymer solution at 2:1 (v/v) ratio of miRNA inhibitor (SEQ ID NOs: 2-30) (e.g ., AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC; SEQ ID NO: 30) to polymer.
  • the mixing ratio of polymer to anti-miRNA was determined by optimizing micelle forming conditions, i.e., ratio between amine in polymer (carrier of the present disclosure) to phosphate in anti-miRNA (payload).
  • the mixture of polymer (carrier) and anti-miRNA (payload) was vigorously mixed for 90 seconds by multi -vortex at 3000 rpm, and kept at room temperature for 30 min to stabilize the micelles.
  • mice (10 pM of Anti-miRNA concentration) were stored at 4 °C prior to use.
  • MeO- or Phe- micelles were prepared using the same method, and different amounts of Phe- containing micelles (25% -75%) were also prepared by mixing both polymers during micelle preparation.
  • an animal model of a disease associated with abnormal inflammasome activity e.g ., cardiac disease, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, and/or neurological disease
  • the animals will be treated with either PBS or a miR-485 inhibitor.
  • the miR-485 inhibitor will be administered to the animals at varying doses, dosing intervals, and/or routes of administration.
  • the therapeutic effects of the miR-485 inhibitor will be assessed, e.g., by measuring the amount of inflammation in the animals and/or observing various clinical signs and/or pathology associated with the disease.
  • the expression of one or more genes (or proteins encoded thereof) associated with inflammasomes will also be assessed in the animals.
  • genes (or proteins encoded thereof) associated with inflammasomes e.g, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18 or Caspase-1
  • miR-485 inhibitors described herein can reduce one or more genes (or proteins encoded thereof) associated with inflammasomes induced by LPS or Ab oligomers (Abqb) in the brain.
  • LPS and/or AbOs-treated mice and primary microglia were treated with miR-485 inhibitor.
  • miR-485 inhibitor was administered with or without a delivery agent.
  • the reagents used were as follows: LPS from Escherichia coli 011LB4 (L4391) from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA); b-amyloid (1- 42) (AS-64129-1) from AnaSpec (Fremont, CA, USA).
  • mice were treated with IP injection of LPS.
  • miR-485 inhibitor was administered (with or without a delivery agent) by intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v. injection) to mice 6 days before treatment with LPS.
  • 24 hours post-treatment with LPS mice were euthanized and the brain was extracted from the skull. Extracted brains were rinsed in cold PBS to remove excess blood. The brain was cut into two halves, then posterior parts and olfactory bulb were cut off. After removing the tissue covering the medial surface of hippocampi, hippocampi was separated from cerebral cortex. Subsequently, the remaining internal structures were removed to isolate cerebral cortex.
  • IL-6, TNFa and IL-Ib were assessed in tissue homogenates. Briefly, frozen cortex and hippocampus were incubated in ice-cold lysis buffer with PMSF for 30 min and then sonicated 3 c 15 s with a 2-min interval between each sonication in ice-cold lysis buffer. Samples were centrifuged at 14,000xg at 4 °C for 20 min to remove any insoluble materials, including nuclei and large debris, and the cytosolic protein concentration in supernatants was determined by protein assay. Samples were then assessed in ELISA kits according to the manufacturer’s protocol.
  • ELISA kits for mouse IL-6 (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA), TNF-a (R&D Systems), IL-10 (R&D Systems) and IL-Ib (R&D Systems) were used to measure cytokines according to the manufacturer’s instruction.
  • the concentration (pg/ml) of cytokines was normalized to total protein content (pg/mg of protein).
  • the levels of inflammasome associated cytokines IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib were measured in cortical (FIG. 2A-C) and hippocampal (FIG. 2D-F) homogenates by ELISA. In both brain homogenates, treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced the levels of IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib.
  • the medium was changed with new medium. Two days after, half of the medium was changed with fresh medium every 2-3 days.
  • primary microglia were isolated by hand tapping for seeding. After removing the microglia, 5 mL of the fresh medium was added, and shaking was continued to remove oligodendrocyte precursor cells. After isolation using trypsin-EDTA, primary astrocytes were seeded in 100-mm dishes. The separation of specific microglia and astrocytes was confirmed by immunostaining with anti-Iba-1 and anti-GFAP antibodies as markers, respectively.
  • Isolated primary microglia were cultured and treated with LPS and miR-485 inhibitor (without a delivery agent). After 24 hours, supernatants were collected and ELISA was performed to quantify the levels of IL-6 and TNF-a (FIG. 2G). In some samples, LPS and miR-485 inhibitor treated primary microglia were stimulated with ATP 1 hour before supernatants were collected and the level of IL-Ib was measured by ELISA (FIG. 2H). Supernatants of primary microglia treated with miR-485 inhibitor exhibited reduced levels of IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib.
  • Isolated primary microglia were also cultured and treated with Abqb and miR-485 inhibitor (without a delivery agent). As above, after 24 hours, supernatants were collected and ELISA was performed to quantify the levels of IL-6 and TNF-a (FIG. 21). In some samples, primary microglia were stimulated with LPS in addition to treatment with Abqb and miR-485 inhibitor and supernatants were collected and the level of IL-Ib was measured by ELISA (FIG. 2J). Supernatants of primary microglia treated with miR-485 inhibitor exhibited reduced levels of IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib.
  • Cell lysis was performed in RIPA buffer (iNtRON Biotechnology, Seongnam, Korea) with protease inhibitor cocktail (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), phosphatase inhibitor cocktail 2 (Sigma-Aldrich, P5726), and phosphatase inhibitor cocktail 3 (Sigma-Aldrich, P0044) and centrifuged at 4 °C for 15 min at 13,000 rpm. The concentration of the supernatant was measured using DC protein assay reagents (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA).
  • Proteins were then separated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes (Millipore, Burling-ton, MA, USA). The membranes were incubated with the appropriate primary antibodies. Species-specific horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated secondary antibodies were used to detect the bound antibodies. The protein bands of interest were analyzed using chemiluminescence detection.
  • PVDF polyvinylidene fluoride
  • the antibodies used are as follows: b-actin (sc-47778) from Santa Cruz Biotechnology; IL-Ib (ab9722), from Abeam (Cambridge ,UK); NLRP3 (AG-20B-0014-C100) and caspase-1 (AG- 20B-0042-C100) from AdipoGen Life Sciences (San Diego, CA, USA).
  • Treatment with miR- 485 inhibitor reduced the relative protein level of IL-Ib, NLRP3 and caspase-1 in primary microglia stimulated with LPS and ATP (FIG. 3 A), as well as in primary microglia stimulated with LPS and A ⁇ Os (FIG. 3B).
  • caspase-1 Bioluminescence assays were performed.
  • Treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced Caspase-1 activity in both LPS+ATP (FIG. 3C) and LPS+A ⁇ Os (FIG. 3D) stimulated primary microglia.
  • mice were IP injected with LPS and mice in the treatment group were administered miR-485 inhibitor (with a delivery agent) via IV injection one day before LPS injection. Subsequently, samples of blood serum and peritoneal macrophages were collected to assess the level of inflammasome associated cytokine expression.
  • mRNA levels of P-6, Tnf, 11-10, Nlrp3, II- 1, and 11-18 in peritoneal macrophages were measured by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR).
  • Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from peritoneum of 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice. Four days after IP injection of 3% Brewer thioglycolate medium, a needle filled with cold PBS was inserted through peritoneal wall into each anesthetized mice and peritoneal fluid was withdrawn slowly. Cell pellets were harvested after centrifugation.
  • TOPscriptTM RT DryMIX Enzynomics, Daejeon, Korea was used for cDNA synthesis for mRNA detection and quantification.
  • the reverse-transcribed product was subjected to qRT- PCR using TOPrealTM qPCR 2 x PreMIX, SYBR Green (Enzynomics), and primers.
  • PCR primers were commercially synthesized (Bioneer, Daejeon, Korea).
  • a 50-cycle amplification was applied for all primers using the CFX96 Real-Time System (Bio-Rad).
  • the normalization was performed using GAPDH as the reference gene.
  • Treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced the expression of 11-6, Tnf, 11-10, Nlrp3, II- 1, and 11-18 in peritoneal macrophages (FIGs. 4D- E).
  • BMDMs bone marrow derived macrophages

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Abstract

The present disclosure includes the use of a miR-485 inhibitor for treating a disease or disorder associated with abnormal (e.g., increased) inflammasome activity (e.g., cardiac disease, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, or neurological disease). In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor is capable of reducing the expression of a gene and/or protein associated with inflammasomes.

Description

USE OF MIRNA-485 INHIBITORS FOR TREATING INFLAMMASOME- RELATED DISEASES OR DISORDERS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/210,408, filed June 14, 2021; which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
VIA EFS-WEB
[0002] The content of the electronically submitted sequence listing in ASCII text file
(Name: 4366_053PC01_Seqlisting_ST25.txt; Size: 326,584 bytes; and Date of Creation: June 14, 2022) filed with the application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The present disclosure provides the use of a miR-485 inhibitor (e.g, polynucleotide encoding a nucleotide molecule comprising at least one miR-485 binding site) for the treatment of inflammasome-related diseases or disorders.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] Inflammasomes are multimeric complexes formed in response to a variety of physiological and pathogenic stimuli. Inflammasome activation is an essential component of the innate immune response and is critical for the clearance of pathogens or damaged cells. However, overt inflammasome activation is also a major driver of many diseases and disorders, such as certain cardiac diseases, autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, and neurological diseases.
[0005] Despite such understanding, there is still no effective treatment for many of the diseases and disorders associated with abnormal inflammasome activity. Current treatment options (e.g, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, change in lifestyle, or surgery where the damage caused by the inflammation is excessive) focus largely in addressing the underlying symptoms associated with the disease. Therefore, new and more effective approaches to treating diseases and disorders associated with abnormal inflammasome activity are highly desirable.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCFOSURE
[0006] Provided herein is a method of treating a cardiac disease in a subj ect in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor"). In some aspects, the cardiac disease is associated with abnormal ( e.g ., increased) inflammasome activity. In some aspects, the cardiac disease comprises a myocardial ischemic dysfunction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemia, post-ischemic damage, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac fibrosis, aneurysm, arteritis, cardiomyopathy (e.g., diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy), chronic heart failure, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, the cardiac disease is myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
[0007] Also provided herein is a method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR- 485 inhibitor"). In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease comprises a rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, Beliefs disease, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, IgA vasculitis, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is RA.
[0008] Present disclosure further provides a method of treating a kidney disease in a subj ect in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor"). In some aspects, the kidney disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity. In some aspects, the kidney disease comprises an acute kidney disease (e.g, caused by poison, trauma, shock, infection, sepsis, toxin, blockage such as kidney stones, heart failure), chronic kidney disease (CKDC) (e.g, gradual loss of kidney function due to aging, genetics, blockage such as kidney stones, diabetes, infection, dental disease, immunological disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, cancer, congenial kidney malformation, congenital polycystic kidney disease), end-stage renal disease, anemia, nephritis (e.g, acute pyelonephritis, lupus nephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis), nephropathy (e.g, IgA nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, oxalate nephropathy), acute tubular necrosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerular diseases, proteinuria, or combinations thereof.
[0009] Provided herein is a method of treating a neurological disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor"). In some aspects, the neurological disease is associated with abnormal ( e.g ., increased) inflammasome activity. In some aspects, the neurological disease is epilepsy.
[0010] In any of the above methods, in some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor is capable of decreasing the expression level of a gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome. In some aspects, the gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome comprises (i) a member of the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor (NLR) family, (ii) a member of the absent in melanoma 2-like receptor (ALR) family; (iii) pyrin; or (iv) any combination of (i)- (iii). In some aspects, the expression level of the level of the gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%, compared to the expression level of a corresponding gene and/or protein in a reference subject (e.g., subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miR- 485 inhibitor).
[0011] In any of the above methods, in some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor prevents and/or reduces the formation and/or activation of an inflammasome. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor prevents and/or reduces inflammation. In some aspects, the inflammation is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%, compared to inflammation in a reference subject (e.g, subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
[0012] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor used with any of the above methods inhibits miR485-3p. In some aspects, the miR485-3p comprises 5'-gucauacacggcucuccucucu-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1).
[0013] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising
5'- UGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2) and wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises about 6 to about 30 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 5' of the nucleotide sequence. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 3' of the nucleotide sequence.
[0014] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5’-UGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2), 5'-GUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 3), 5'- CGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 4), 5'-CCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 5), 5'- GCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 6), 5'-AGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 7), 5'- GAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 8), 5'-AGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 9), 5'- GAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 10), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 11), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 12), 5'-
GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 13), 5'-AGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 14), 51 -G AG AGG AG AGC C GU GU AU G A-31 (SEQ ID NO: 15); 5'- UGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 16), 5'-GUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 17), 5'- CGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 18), 5'-CCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 19), 5'- GCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 20), 5'-AGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 21), 5'- GAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 22), 5'-AGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 23), 5'-GAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 24), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 25), 5 AGGAGAGCCGU GUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 26), 5'- GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 27), 5'-
AGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 28), 5'-
GAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 29), and 5'-
AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 30). [0015] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5'-TGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 62), 5'-GTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 63), 5'- CGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 64), 5'-CCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 65), 5'- GCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 66), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 67), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 68), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 69), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 70), 5'-GGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 71), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 72), 5'-
GAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 73), 5 ' - AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G A- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 74), 5 ' -GAGAGGAGAGCC GT GT AT GA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 75); 5'- TGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 76), 5'-GTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 77), 5'- CGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 78), 5'-CCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 79), 5'- GCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 80), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 81), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 82), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 83), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 84), 5'-GGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 85), 51 - AGGAGAGC CGT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 86), 5'- GAGGAGAGCCGTGT AT GAC-31 (SEQ ID NO: 87), 51 - AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC - 3' (SEQ ID NO: 88), 5'-GAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 89), and 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC CGT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 90).
[0016] In some aspects, the sequence of the miR-485 inhibitor is at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% sequence identity to 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 90). In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence that has at least 90% similarity to 5 -
AG AG AGG AG AGC C GU GU AU GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-
AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 90). In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-AGAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 90) with one substitution or two substitutions. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 90). In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
[0017] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least one modified nucleotide.
In some aspects, the at least one modified nucleotide is a locked nucleic acid (LNA), an unlocked nucleic acid (UNA), an arabino nucleic acid (ABA), a bridged nucleic acid (BNA), and/or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA).
[0018] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor comprises a backbone modification. In some aspects, the backbone modification is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) and/or phosphorothioate (PS) modification.
[0019] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor is delivered in a delivery agent. In some aspects, the delivery agent comprises a micelle, an exosome, a lipidoid, a liposome, a lipoplex, a lipid nanoparticle, an extracellular vesicle, a synthetic vesicle, a polymeric compound, a peptide, a protein, a cell, a nanoparticle mimic, a nanotube, a conjugate, a viral vector, or combinations thereof.
[0020] In some aspects, the delivery agent comprises a cationic carrier unit comprising:
[WP] -L 1 - [CC] -L2- [ AM] (formula I) or
[WP]-L 1 -[ AM]-L2-[CC] (formula II), wherein
WP is a water-soluble biopolymer moiety;
CC is a cationic carrier moiety;
AM is an adjuvant moiety; and
LI and L2 are independently optional linkers.
[0021] In some aspects, the cationic carrier unit and the isolated polynucleotide are capable of associating with each other to form a micelle when mixed together. In some aspects, the association is via a covalent bond. In some aspects, the association is via a non-covalent bond. In some aspects, the non-covalent bond comprises an ionic bond.
[0022] In some aspects, the water-soluble polymer comprises poly(alkylene glycols), poly(oxyethylated polyol), poly(olefmic alcohol), polyvinylpyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylamide), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylate), poly(saccharides), poly(a-hydroxy acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polyphosphazene, polyoxazolines ("POZ") poly(N-acryloylmorpholine), or any combinations thereof. In some aspects, the water- soluble polymer comprises polyethylene glycol ("PEG"), polyglycerol, or polypropylene glycol) ("PPG").
[0023] In some aspects, the water-soluble polymer comprises:
Figure imgf000008_0001
least about 113, at least about 114, at least about 115, at least about 116, at least about 117, at least about 118, at least about 119, at least about 120, at least about 121, at least about 122, at least about 123, at least about 124, at least about 125, at least about 126, at least about 127, at least about 128, at least about 129, at least about 130, at least about 131, at least about 132, at least about 133, at least about 134, at least about 135, at least about 136, at least about 137, at least about 138, at least about 139, at least about 140, or at least about 141. In some aspects, the n is about 80 to about 90, about 90 to about 100, about 100 to about 110, about 110 to about 120, about 120 to about 130, about 140 to about 150, or about 150 to about 160.
[0025] In some aspects, the water-soluble polymer is linear, branched, or dendritic.
[0026] In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises one or more basic amino acids. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at last about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, at least about 20, at least about 21, at least about 22, at least about 23, at least about 24, at least about 25, at least about 26, at least about 27, at least about 28, at least about 29, at least about 30, at least about 31, at least about 32, at least about 33, at least about 34, at least about 35, at least about 36, at least about 37, at least about 38, at least about 39, at least about 40, at least about 41, at least about 42, at least about 43, at least about 44, at least about 45, at least about 46, at least about 47, at least about 48, at least about 49, or at least about 50 basic amino acids. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 30 to about 50 basic amino acids.
[0027] In some aspects, the basic amino acid comprises arginine, lysine, histidine, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 40 lysine monomers. [0028] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety is capable of modulating an immune response, an inflammatory response, and/or a tissue. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises an imidazole derivative, an amino acid, a vitamin, or any combination thereof.
[0029] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises:
Figure imgf000009_0001
wherein each of Gl and G2 is H, an aromatic ring, or 1-10 alkyl, or Gl and G2 together form an aromatic ring, and wherein n is 1-10.
[0030] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises nitroimidazole. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises metronidazole, tinidazole, nimorazole, dimetridazole, pretomanid, omidazole, megazol, azanidazole, benznidazole, or any combination thereof.
[0031] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises an amino acid. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises
Figure imgf000009_0002
wherein
Figure imgf000009_0003
wherein each of Z1 and Z2 is H or OH.
[0032] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises a vitamin. In some aspects, the vitamin comprises a cyclic ring or cyclic hetero atom ring and a carboxyl group or hydroxyl group.
[0033] In some aspects, the vitamin comprises:
Figure imgf000009_0004
wherein each of Y1 and Y2 is C, N, O, or S, and wherein n is 1 or 2. [0034] In some aspects, the vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin B 1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin M, vitamin H, and any combination thereof. In some aspects, the vitamin is vitamin B3.
[0035] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises at least about two, at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at least about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, or at least about 20 vitamin B3. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises about 10 vitamin B3.
[0036] In some aspects, the delivery agent comprises a water-soluble biopolymer moiety with about 120 to about 130 PEG units, a cationic carrier moiety comprising a poly-lysine with about 30 to about 40 lysines, and an adjuvant moiety with about 5 to about 10 vitamin B3.
[0037] In some aspects, the cationic carrier unit is capable of protecting the miR-485 inhibitor from enzymatic degradation.
[0038] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor is administered intranasally, parenthetically, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, ophthalmic, intravenously, intraperitoneally, intradermally, intraorbitally, intracerebrally, intracranially, intracerebroventricularly, intraspinally, intraventricular, intrathecally, intracistemally, intracapsularly, intratumorally, topically, or any combination thereof.
[0039] In some aspects, the delivery agent is a micelle. In some aspects, the micelle comprises (i) about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines, each with an amine group, (iii) about 15 to about 20 lysines, each with a thiol group, and (iv) about 30 to about 40 lysines, each linked to vitamin B3. In some aspects, the micelle comprises (i) about 120 to about 130 PEG units, (ii) about 32 lysines, each with an amine group, (iii) about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group, and (iv) about 32 lysines, each linked to vitamin B3.
[0040] In some aspects, a targeting moiety is further linked to the PEG units. In some aspects, the targeting moiety is a LAT1 targeting ligand. In some aspects, the targeting moiety is phenylalanine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES
[0041] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary architecture of a carrier unit of the present disclosure.
The example presented includes a cationic carrier moiety, which can interact electrostatically with anionic payloads, e.g., nucleic acids such as antisense oligonucleotides targeting a gene, e.g, miRNA (antimirs). In some aspects, AM can be located between WP and CC. The CC and AM components are portrayed in a linear arrangement for simplicity. However, as described herein, in some aspects, CC and AM can be arranged in a scaffold fashion.
[0042] FIGs. 2A-F show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines in the cortex and hippocampus of LPS-injected mice. Brain tissue was dissected 24 h after LPS IP injection (5 mg/kg), and miR-485 inhibitor alone (i.e., without a delivery agent) was i.c.v. injected 6 days before LPS injection ("LPS+inhibitor"). As controls, (i) wild-type (WT) mice (i.e., no LPS and no miR-485 inhibitor) ("Con") and (ii) mice that only received LPS ("LPS") were used. FIGs. 2A-C show ELISA assays of IL-6 (FIG. 2A), TNF-a (FIG. 2B) and IL-Ib (FIG. 2C) in cortical homogenates of (i) WT mice ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) LPS only injected mice ("LPS"; 2nd bar), and (iii) mice that received both LPS and miR-485 inhibitor ("LPS+inhibitor"; 3rd bar). FIGs. 2D- F show ELISA assays of IL-6 (FIG. 2D), TNF-a (FIG. 2E) and IL-Ib (FIG. 2F) in hippocampal homogenates of (i) WT mice ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) LPS only injected mice ("LPS"; 2nd bar), and (iii) mice that received both LPS and miR-485 inhibitor ("LPS+inhibitor"; 3rd bar). All data are mean ± SD. ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001 compared to the control (Con). ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001, and ####P < 0.0001 compared to the treated control.
[0043] FIGs. 2G and 2H show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines produced by LPS-treated primary microglia. FIGs. 2G shows ELISA analysis of IL-6 (left graph) and TNF-a (right graph) secretion levels in supernatants obtained from primary microglia treated with the following: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) alone (i.e., no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor"; 2nd bar), (iii) LPS alone (100 ng/mL) ("LPS"; 3rd bar), or (iv) both LPS and miR- 485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+inhibitor"; 4th bar). FIG. 2H shows ELISA analysis of IL-Ib secretion level in supernatants obtained from primary microglia treated with the following: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor"; 2nd bar), (iii) LPS (100 ng/mL) + ATP (2.5 mM) ("LPS+ATP"; 3rd bar), or (iv) the combination of LPS, ATP, and miR-485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+ATP+Inhibitor"; 4th bar). All data are mean ± SD. ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001 compared to the control (Con). ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001, and ####P < 0.0001 compared to the treated control.
[0044] FIGs.21 and 2J show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines produced by Ab oligomers (ApOs)-treated primary microglia. FIG. 21 shows ELISA analysis of IL-6 (left graph) and TNF-a (right graph) secretion levels in supernatants obtained from primary microglia treated with the following: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) miR-485 inhibitor (100 mM) alone (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor"; 2nd bar), (iii) ApOs alone (2.5 mM) ("AbO"; 3rd bar), or (iv) both ApOs and miR- 485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("ApOs+Inhibitor"; 4th bar). FIG. 2J shows ELISA analysis of IL-ip secretion level in supernatants obtained from LPS-primed primary microglia after treatment with ApOs (2.5 mM) and transfected with miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (without delivery agent) for 24 h (n=3). Specifically, the different groups shown are the same as described in FIG. 21. All data are mean ± SD. ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001 compared to the control (Con). ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001, and ####P < 0.0001 compared to the treated control.
[0045] FIGs. 3A and 3B show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing IL-Ib levels through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in primary microglia. FIG. 3A shows Western blot analysis of IL-Ib, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 in primary microglia after treatment with LPS (100 ng/ml) and transfection of miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (without delivery agent) for 24 h. Primary microglia were treated with ATP (2.5 mM) 1 h before sampling. The graphs on the right side of the panel show protein level quantification of NLRP3, Pro-IL-ip and Pro-Caspase-1 after normalization to ACTB (n=3). Specifically, the different treatment groups shown include: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar in the graphs to the right); (ii) miR-485 inhibitor alone (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor"; 2nd bar in the graphs to the right); (iii) LPS + ATP alone ("LPS+ATP"; 3rd bar in the graphs to the right); and (iv) combination of LPS, ATP, and miR-485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+ATP+Inhibitor"; 4th bar in the graphs to the right). FIG. 3B shows Western blot analysis of IL-Ib, NLRP3, Caspase-1 in LPS-primed primary microglia after stimulation with ApOs (2.5 mM) and transfection of miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (without delivery agent) for 24 h. The graphs on the right side of the panel show protein level quantification of NLRP3, Pro-IL-Ib and Pro- Caspase-1 after normalization to ACTB (n=3). ). Specifically, the different treatment groups shown include: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar in the graphs to the right); (ii) miR-485 inhibitor alone (no delivery agent) ("Inhibitor"; 2nd bar in the graphs to the right); (iii) LPS + Abqb alone ("LPS+ApOs P"; 3rd bar in the graphs to the right); and (iv) combination of LPS, Abqb, and miR-485 inhibitor (no delivery agent) ("LPS+ApOs +Inhibitor"; 4th bar in the graphs to the right). FIG.3C shows Bioluminescence assay for Caspase-1 activity in primary microglia after treatment with LPS (1 ng/mL) and co-transfection of miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (no delivery agent) for 3 h. Primary microglia were treated with ATP (2.5 mM) 1 h before sampling (n=3). The different treatment groups shown are the same as in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3D shows Bioluminescence assay for Caspase-1 activity in LPS-primed primary microglia after stimulation with ApOs (2.5 mM) and transfection with miR-485 inhibitor (100 nM) (no delivery agent) for 24 h (n=3). The different treatment groups shown are the same as in FIG. 3B. All data are mean ± SEM. n.s., not significant. **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001 compared to untreated control. ##p < 0.01 and ###p < 0.001 compared to LPS+ATP- and LPS+ApO-treated controls.
[0046] FIGs. 4A-E show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines in the blood and peritoneal macrophages of LPS- treated mice. Mice were treated with LPS (5mg/kg) by IP injection and ELISA was performed after 24 h. miR-485 inhibitor was administered using a delivery agent (described herein - see, e.g ., section IV) by IV injection (5mg/kg) one day prior to LPS injection. Specifically, the different treatment groups are as follows: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) LPS alone ("LPS"; 2nd bar), and (iii) both LPS and miR-485 inhibitor (with delivery agent) ("LPS+Inhibitor"; 3rd bar). FIGs. 4A-C show ELISA analysis of IL-6 (FIG. 4A), TNF-a (FIG. 4B) and IL-ip (FIG. 4C) in blood serum from the animals from the different treatment groups. FIGs. 4D and 4E show relative mRNA levels of P-6, Tnf, 11-10 (FIG. 4D) and Nlrp3, II- 1, II- 18 (FIG. 4E) in peritoneal macrophages acutely isolated from the animals from the different treatment groups. All data are mean ± SD. n.s., not significant. ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001 compared to the control (Con). #P < 0.05, ##P < 0.01, ###P < 0.001, and ####P < 0.0001 compared to the LPS-injected control.
[0047] FIG. 5A-C show the effect of miR-485 inhibitors described herein on reducing increased inflammasome associated cytokines produced by LPS-treated bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). As further described in Example 6, the miR-485 inhibitor was administered in vivo using a delivery agent described herein. FIG. 5A shows ELISA analysis of IL-6 (left graph), TNF-a (middle graph), IL-10 (right graph) secretion levels in supernatants obtained from BMDMs treated with one of the following: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) LPS alone ("LPS"; 2nd bar), and (iii) LPS (1 pg/ml) and miR-485 inhibitor (500nM) (with delivery agent) ("LPS+Inhibitor"; 3rdbar). FIG. 5B shows ELISA analysis of IL-Ib (left graph) and IL-18 (right graph) in supernatants obtained from BMDMs treated with one of the following: (i) no treatment ("Con"; 1st bar), (ii) LPS and ATP ("LPS+ATP"; 2nd bar), and (iii) LPS (1 pg/ml), ATP, and miR-485 inhibitor (with delivery agent) ("LPS+ATP+Inhibitor"; 3rd bar). FIG. 5C shows Bioluminescence assay for Caspase-1 activity in BMDMs after treatment with LPS (1 pg/mL) and miR-485 inhibitor (500 nM) (with delivery agent) for 3 h. BMDMs were treated with ATP (2.5 mM) 1 h before sampling (n=3). Specifically, the different treatment groups are as described in FIG. 5B. All data are mean ± SEM. n.s., not significant. ***p < 0.001 and ****p < 0.0001 compared to untreated control. ##p < 0.01 and ####p < 0.0001 compared to LPS+ATP -treated controls.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0048] The present disclosure is generally directed to the use of a miR-485 inhibitor to treat a disease or disorder associated with inflammasome. As described herein, inflammasomes are innate immune system receptors/sensors that are responsible for the production of inflammation in response to many infectious microbes and certain molecules from host proteins. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitors described herein are capable of inhibiting and/or reducing endogenous miR-485 activity. Not to be bound by any one theory, the present disclosure demonstrates that reduced miR-485 activity can regulate the expression of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes. Accordingly, in some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitors provided herein are useful for treating various diseases or disorders associated with inflammasomes. Additional aspects of the present disclosure are provided throughout the present application.
[0049] Before the present disclosure is described in greater detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular compositions or process steps described, as such can, of course, vary. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual aspects described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which can be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several aspects without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible. [0050] The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects of the disclosure, which can be defined by reference to the specification as a whole. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.
I. Terms
[0051] In order that the present disclosure can be more readily understood, certain terms are first defined. As used in this application, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below. Additional definitions are set forth throughout the application.
[0052] It is to be noted that the term "a" or "an" entity refers to one or more of that entity; for example, "a nucleotide sequence," is understood to represent one or more nucleotide sequences. As such, the terms "a" (or "an"), "one or more," and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. It is further noted that the claims can be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as "solely," "only" and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a negative limitation.
[0053] Furthermore, "and/or" where used herein is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. Thus, the term "and/or" as used in a phrase such as "A and/or B" herein is intended to include "A and B," "A or B," "A" (alone), and "B" (alone). Likewise, the term "and/or" as used in a phrase such as "A, B, and/or C" is intended to encompass each of the following aspects: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).
[0054] It is understood that wherever aspects are described herein with the language
"comprising," otherwise analogous aspects described in terms of "consisting of and/or "consisting essentially of' are also provided.
[0055] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is related. For example, the Concise Dictionary of Biomedicine and Molecular Biology, Juo, Pei-Show, 2nd ed., 2002, CRC Press; The Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology, 3rd ed., 1999, Academic Press; and the Oxford Dictionary Of Biochemistry And Molecular Biology, Revised, 2000, Oxford University Press, provide one of skill with a general dictionary of many of the terms used in this disclosure.
[0056] Units, prefixes, and symbols are denoted in their Systeme International de Unites
(SI) accepted form. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. Where a range of values is recited, it is to be understood that each intervening integer value, and each fraction thereof, between the recited upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed, along with each subrange between such values. The upper and lower limits of any range can independently be included in or excluded from the range, and each range where either, neither or both limits are included is also encompassed within the disclosure. Thus, ranges recited herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range, inclusive of the recited endpoints. For example, a range of 1 to 10 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.
[0057] Where a value is explicitly recited, it is to be understood that values which are about the same quantity or amount as the recited value are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where a combination is disclosed, each subcombination of the elements of that combination is also specifically disclosed and is within the scope of the disclosure. Conversely, where different elements or groups of elements are individually disclosed, combinations thereof are also disclosed. Where any element of a disclosure is disclosed as having a plurality of alternatives, examples of that disclosure in which each alternative is excluded singly or in any combination with the other alternatives are also hereby disclosed; more than one element of a disclosure can have such exclusions, and all combinations of elements having such exclusions are hereby disclosed.
[0058] Nucleotides are referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes. Unless otherwise indicated, nucleotide sequences are written left to right in 5' to 3' orientation. Nucleotides are referred to herein by their commonly known one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Accordingly, 'a' represents adenine, 'c' represents cytosine, 'g' represents guanine, 'f represents thymine, and 'u' represents uracil.
[0059] Amino acid sequences are written left to right in amino to carboxy orientation.
Amino acids are referred to herein by either their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission.
[0060] The term "about" is used herein to mean approximately, roughly, around, or in the regions of. When the term "about" is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term "about" can modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of, e.g., 10 percent, up or down (higher or lower).
[0061] As used herein, the term "adeno-associated virus" (AAV), includes but is not limited to, AAV type 1, AAV type 2, AAV type 3 (including types 3 A and 3B), AAV type 4, AAV type 5, AAV type 6, AAV type 7, AAV type 8, AAV type 9, AAV type 10, AAV type 11, AAV type 12, AAV type 13, AAVrh.74, snake AAV, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, ovine AAV, goat AAV, shrimp AAV, those AAV serotypes and clades disclosed by Gao et al. ( J . Virol. 75:6381 (2004)) and Moris et al. {Virol. 33: 375 (2004)), and any other AAV now known or later discovered. See, e.g, FIELDS et al. VIROLOGY, volume 2, chapter 69 (4th ed., Lippincott-Raven Publishers). In some aspects, an "AAV" includes a derivative of a known AAV. In some aspects, an "AAV" includes a modified or an artificial AAV.
[0062] The terms "administration," "administering," and grammatical variants thereof refer to introducing a composition, such as a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure, into a subject via a pharmaceutically acceptable route. The introduction of a composition, such as a micelle comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure, into a subject is by any suitable route, including intratumorally, orally, pulmonarily, intranasally, parenterally (intravenously, intra-arterially, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, or subcutaneously), rectally, intralymphatically, intrathecally, periocularly or topically. Administration includes self-administration and the administration by another. A suitable route of administration allows the composition or the agent to perform its intended function. For example, if a suitable route is intravenous, the composition is administered by introducing the composition or agent into a vein of the subject.
[0063] As used herein, the term "associated with" refers to a close relationship between two or more entities or properties. For instance, when used to describe a disease or condition that can be treated with the present disclosure (e.g, disease or condition associated with an abnormal level of inflammasomes), the term "associated with" refers to an increased likelihood that a subject suffers from the disease or condition when the subject exhibits an abnormal expression of the inflammasomes. In some aspects, the abnormal expression of the inflammasomes causes the disease or condition. In some aspects, the abnormal expression does not necessarily cause but is correlated with the disease or condition. Non-limiting examples of suitable methods that can be used to determine whether a subject exhibits an abnormal expression of inflammasomes associated with a disease or condition are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure.
[0064] As used herein, the term "abnormal level" refers to a level (expression and/or activity) that differs (e.g, increased) from a reference subject who does not suffer from a disease or condition described herein). In some aspects, an abnormal level (e.g, inflammasomes) refers to a level that is increased by at least about 0.1 -fold, at least about 0.2- fold, at least about 0.3-fold, at least about 0.4-fold, at least about 0.5-fold, at least about 0.6- fold, at least about 0.7-fold, at least about 0.8-fold, at least about 0.9-fold, at least about 1- fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 20-fold, at least about 30-fold, at least about 40-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 75-fold, at least about 100-fold, at least about 200-fold, at least about 300-fold, at least about 400-fold, at least about 500-fold, at least about 750-fold, or at least about 1 ,000-fold or more compared to the corresponding level in a reference subj ect (e.g. , subject who does not suffer from a disease or condition described herein).
[0065] As used herein, the term "approximately," as applied to one or more values of interest, refers to a value that is similar to a stated reference value. In certain aspects, the term "approximately" refers to a range of values that fall within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less in either direction (greater than or less than) of the stated reference value unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value).
[0066] As used herein, the term "conserved" refers to nucleotides or amino acid residues of a polynucleotide sequence or polypeptide sequence, respectively, that are those that occur unaltered in the same position of two or more sequences being compared. Nucleotides or amino acids that are relatively conserved are those that are conserved amongst more related sequences than nucleotides or amino acids appearing elsewhere in the sequences.
[0067] In some aspects, two or more sequences are said to be "completely conserved" or
"identical" if they are 100% identical to one another. In some aspects, two or more sequences are said to be "highly conserved" if they are at least 70% identical, at least 80% identical, at least 90% identical, or at least 95% identical to one another. In some aspects, two or more sequences are said to be "highly conserved" if they are about 70% identical, about 80% identical, about 90% identical, about 95%, about 98%, or about 99% identical to one another. In some aspects, two or more sequences are said to be "conserved" if they are at least 30% identical, at least 40% identical, at least 50% identical, at least 60% identical, at least 70% identical, at least 80% identical, at least 90% identical, or at least 95% identical to one another. In some aspects, two or more sequences are said to be "conserved" if they are about 30% identical, about 40% identical, about 50% identical, about 60% identical, about 70% identical, about 80% identical, about 90% identical, about 95% identical, about 98% identical, or about 99% identical to one another. Conservation of sequence can apply to the entire length of a polynucleotide or polypeptide or can apply to a portion, region or feature thereof.
[0068] The term "derived from," as used herein, refers to a component that is isolated from or made using a specified molecule or organism, or information ( e.g ., amino acid or nucleic acid sequence) from the specified molecule or organism. For example, a nucleic acid sequence that is derived from a second nucleic acid sequence can include a nucleotide sequence that is identical or substantially similar to the nucleotide sequence of the second nucleic acid sequence. In the case of nucleotides or polypeptides, the derived species can be obtained by, for example, naturally occurring mutagenesis, artificial directed mutagenesis or artificial random mutagenesis. The mutagenesis used to derive nucleotides or polypeptides can be intentionally directed or intentionally random, or a mixture of each. The mutagenesis of a nucleotide or polypeptide to create a different nucleotide or polypeptide derived from the first can be a random event (e.g., caused by polymerase infidelity) and the identification of the derived nucleotide or polypeptide can be made by appropriate screening methods, e.g, as discussed herein. In some aspects, a nucleotide or amino acid sequence that is derived from a second nucleotide or amino acid sequence has a sequence identity of at least about 50%, at least about 51%, at least about 52%, at least about 53%, at least about 54%, at least about 55%, at least about 56%, at least about 57%, at least about 58%, at least about 59%, at least about 60%, at least about 61%, at least about 62%, at least about 63%, at least about 64%, at least about 65%, at least about 66%, at least about 67%, at least about 68%, at least about 69%, at least about 70%, at least about 71%, at least about 72%, at least about 73%, at least about 74%, at least about 75%, at least about 76%, at least about 77%, at least about 78%, at least about 79%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% to the second nucleotide or amino acid sequence, respectively, wherein the first nucleotide or amino acid sequence retains the biological activity of the second nucleotide or amino acid sequence.
[0069] As used herein, a "coding region" or "coding sequence" is a portion of polynucleotide which consists of codons translatable into amino acids. Although a "stop codon" (TAG, TGA, or TAA) is typically not translated into an amino acid, it can be considered to be part of a coding region, but any flanking sequences, for example promoters, ribosome binding sites, transcriptional terminators, introns, and the like, are not part of a coding region. The boundaries of a coding region are typically determined by a start codon at the 5' terminus, encoding the amino terminus of the resultant polypeptide, and a translation stop codon at the 3' terminus, encoding the carboxyl terminus of the resulting polypeptide.
[0070] The terms "complementary" and "complementarity" refer to two or more oligomers
(i.e., each comprising a nucleobase sequence), or between an oligomer and a target gene, that are related with one another by Watson-Crick base-pairing rules. For example, the nucleobase sequence "T-G-A (5'- 3')," is complementary to the nucleobase sequence "A-C-T (3'- 5')." Complementarity can be "partial," in which less than all of the nucleobases of a given nucleobase sequence are matched to the other nucleobase sequence according to base pairing rules. For example, in some aspects, complementarity between a given nucleobase sequence and the other nucleobase sequence can be about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, or about 95%. Accordingly, in certain aspects, the term "complementary" refers to at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% match or complementarity to a target nucleic acid sequence ( e.g ., miR-485 nucleic acid sequence). Or, there can be "complete" or "perfect" (100%) complementarity between a given nucleobase sequence and the other nucleobase sequence to continue the example. In some aspects, the degree of complementarity between nucleobase sequences has significant effects on the efficiency and strength of hybridization between the sequences. [0071] The term "downstream" refers to a nucleotide sequence that is located 3' to a reference nucleotide sequence. In certain aspects, downstream nucleotide sequences relate to sequences that follow the starting point of transcription. For example, the translation initiation codon of a gene is located downstream of the start site of transcription.
[0072] The terms "excipient" and "carrier" are used interchangeably and refer to an inert substance added to a pharmaceutical composition to further facilitate administration of a compound, e.g., a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure.
[0073] The term "expression," as used herein, refers to a process by which a polynucleotide produces a gene product, e.g., RNA or a polypeptide. It includes without limitation transcription of the polynucleotide into micro RNA binding site, small hairpin RNA (shRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), or any other RNA product. It includes, without limitation, transcription of the polynucleotide into messenger RNA (mRNA), and the translation of mRNA into a polypeptide. Expression produces a "gene product." As used herein, a gene product can be, e.g, a nucleic acid, such as an RNA produced by transcription of a gene. As used herein, a gene product can be either a nucleic acid, RNA or miRNA produced by the transcription of a gene, or a polypeptide which is translated from a transcript. Gene products described herein further include nucleic acids with post transcriptional modifications, e.g, polyadenylation or splicing, or polypeptides with post translational modifications, e.g, phosphorylation, methylation, glycosylation, the addition of lipids, association with other protein subunits, or proteolytic cleavage.
[0074] As used herein, the term "homology" refers to the overall relatedness between polymeric molecules, e.g. between nucleic acid molecules. Generally, the term "homology" implies an evolutionary relationship between two molecules. Thus, two molecules that are homologous will have a common evolutionary ancestor. In the context of the present disclosure, the term homology encompasses both to identity and similarity.
[0075] In some aspects, polymeric molecules are considered to be "homologous" to one another if at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 99% of the monomers in the molecule are identical (exactly the same monomer) or are similar (conservative substitutions). The term "homologous" necessarily refers to a comparison between at least two sequences ( e.g ., polynucleotide sequences).
[0076] In the context of the present disclosure, substitutions (even when they are referred to as amino acid substitution) are conducted at the nucleic acid level, i.e., substituting an amino acid residue with an alternative amino acid residue is conducted by substituting the codon encoding the first amino acid with a codon encoding the second amino acid.
[0077] As used herein, the term "identity" refers to the overall monomer conservation between polymeric molecules, e.g., between polynucleotide molecules. The term "identical" without any additional qualifiers, e.g, polynucleotide A is identical to polynucleotide B, implies the polynucleotide sequences are 100% identical (100% sequence identity). Describing two sequences as, e.g, "70% identical," is equivalent to describing them as having, e.g, "70% sequence identity."
[0078] Calculation of the percent identity of two polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, for example, can be performed by aligning the two sequences for optimal comparison purposes (e.g, gaps can be introduced in one or both of a first and a second polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences for optimal alignment and non-identical sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes). In certain aspects, the length of a sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or 100% of the length of the reference sequence. The amino acids at corresponding amino acid positions, or bases in the case of polynucleotides, are then compared.
[0079] When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences, taking into account the number of gaps, and the length of each gap, which needs to be introduced for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The comparison of sequences and determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm.
[0080] Suitable software programs that can be used to align different sequences (e.g, polynucleotide sequences) are available from various sources. One suitable program to determine percent sequence identity is bl2seq, part of the BLAST suite of program available from the U.S. government's National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST web site (blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). B12seq performs a comparison between two sequences using either the BLASTN or BLASTP algorithm. BLASTN is used to compare nucleic acid sequences, while BLASTP is used to compare amino acid sequences. Other suitable programs are, e.g., Needle, Stretcher, Water, or Matcher, part of the EMBOSS suite of bioinformatics programs and also available from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) at worl d wi de web . eb i . ac . uk/T ool s/p s a .
[0081] Sequence alignments can be conducted using methods known in the art such as
MAFFT, Clustal (ClustalW, Clustal X or Clustal Omega), MUSCLE, etc.
[0082] Different regions within a single polynucleotide or polypeptide target sequence that aligns with a polynucleotide or polypeptide reference sequence can each have their own percent sequence identity. It is noted that the percent sequence identity value is rounded to the nearest tenth. For example, 80.11, 80.12, 80.13, and 80.14 are rounded down to 80.1, while 80.15, 80.16, 80.17, 80.18, and 80.19 are rounded up to 80.2. It also is noted that the length value will always be an integer.
[0083] In certain aspects, the percentage identity (%ID) or of a first amino acid sequence
(or nucleic acid sequence) to a second amino acid sequence (or nucleic acid sequence) is calculated as %ID = 100 x (Y/Z), where Y is the number of amino acid residues (or nucleobases) scored as identical matches in the alignment of the first and second sequences (as aligned by visual inspection or a particular sequence alignment program) and Z is the total number of residues in the second sequence. If the length of a first sequence is longer than the second sequence, the percent identity of the first sequence to the second sequence will be higher than the percent identity of the second sequence to the first sequence.
[0084] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the generation of a sequence alignment for the calculation of a percent sequence identity is not limited to binary sequence-sequence comparisons exclusively driven by primary sequence data. It will also be appreciated that sequence alignments can be generated by integrating sequence data with data from heterogeneous sources such as structural data (e.g, crystallographic protein structures), functional data (e.g, location of mutations), or phylogenetic data. A suitable program that integrates heterogeneous data to generate a multiple sequence alignment is T-Coffee, available at www.tcoffee.org, and alternatively available, e.g, from the EBI. It will also be appreciated that the final alignment used to calculate percent sequence identity can be curated either automatically or manually. [0085] As used herein, the term "inflammasome" refers to cytosolic multiprotein oligomers of the innate immune system responsible for the activation of inflammatory responses. Inflammasomes can activate caspase-1 activity, which in turn regulates the processing and activation of various inflammatory mediators, including but not limited to, IL-Ib, IL-18, and IL-33. See, e.g., Wang, Z., et al., OxidMed Cell Longev 2020: 4063562 (Feb. 17, 2020); Lin, L., et al, PLoS Pathog 15(6): el007795 (Jun. 2019); Freeman, T.L., et al, Front Immunol 11: 1518 (Jun. 2020); Ratajczak M.Z., et al, Leukemia 34(7): 1726-1729 (Jul. 2020); Latz E., et al, Nat Rev Immunol 13(6): 397-411 (May 2013; and Mangan, M.S.J., et al, Nat Rev Drug Discov 17(8): 588-606 (Aug. 2018); each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Inflammasomes comprise three basic protein units: (1) a sensor molecule; (2) adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain or CARD); and (3) procaspase-1. The adaptor ASC and procaspase-1 are generally common to all inflammasomes. In contrast, each sensor molecule is unique and responds to different stimuli, allowing the inflammasomes to be categorized into different types based on their sensor molecule component. There are at least three canonical types of inflammasomes: (i) nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor (NLR) family (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, and NLRP12); (ii) absent in melanoma 2-like receptor (ALR) family (e.g, AIM2); and (iii) pyrin. Non-limiting examples of additional inflammasomes include those associated with the IFI16 gene (or protein encoded thereof) ("IFI16 inflammasome").
[0086] As used herein, the terms "isolated," "purified," "extracted," and grammatical variants thereof are used interchangeably and refer to the state of a preparation of desired composition of the present disclosure, e.g., a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure, that has undergone one or more processes of purification. In some aspects, isolating or purifying as used herein is the process of removing, partially removing (e.g, a fraction) of a composition of the present disclosure, e.g., a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure from a sample containing contaminants.
[0087] In some aspects, an isolated composition has no detectable undesired activity or, alternatively, the level or amount of the undesired activity is at or below an acceptable level or amount. In other aspects, an isolated composition has an amount and/or concentration of desired composition of the present disclosure, at or above an acceptable amount and/or concentration and/or activity. In other aspects, the isolated composition is enriched as compared to the starting material from which the composition is obtained. This enrichment can be by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, at least about 99.9%, at least about 99.99%, at least about 99.999%, at least about 99.9999%, or greater than 99.9999% as compared to the starting material.
[0088] In some aspects, isolated preparations are substantially free of residual biological products. In some aspects, the isolated preparations are 100% free, at least about 99% free, at least about 98% free, at least about 97% free, at least about 96% free, at least about 95% free, at least about 94% free, at least about 93% free, at least about 92% free, at least about 91% free, or at least about 90% free of any contaminating biological matter. Residual biological products can include abiotic materials (including chemicals) or unwanted nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, or metabolites.
[0089] The term "linked" as used herein refers to a first amino acid sequence or polynucleotide sequence covalently or non-covalently joined to a second amino acid sequence or polynucleotide sequence, respectively. The first amino acid or polynucleotide sequence can be directly joined or juxtaposed to the second amino acid or polynucleotide sequence or alternatively an intervening sequence can covalently join the first sequence to the second sequence. The term "linked" means not only a fusion of a first polynucleotide sequence to a second polynucleotide sequence at the 5'-end or the 3'-end, but also includes insertion of the whole first polynucleotide sequence (or the second polynucleotide sequence) into any two nucleotides in the second polynucleotide sequence (or the first polynucleotide sequence, respectively). The first polynucleotide sequence can be linked to a second polynucleotide sequence by a phosphodiester bond or a linker. The linker can be, e.g., a polynucleotide.
[0090] A "miRNA inhibitor," as used herein, refers to a compound that can decrease, alter, and/or modulate miRNA expression, function, and/or activity. The miRNA inhibitor can be a polynucleotide sequence that is at least partially complementary to the target miRNA nucleic acid sequence, such that the miRNA inhibitor hybridizes to the target miRNA sequence. For instance, in some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleotide molecule that is at least partially complementary to the target miR-485 nucleic acid sequence, such that the miR-485 inhibitor hybridizes to the miR-485 sequence. In further aspects, the hybridization of the miR-485 to the miR-485 sequence decreases, alters, and/or modulates the expression, function, and/or activity of miR-485 (e.g, hybridization results in a decrease in the expression of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes). Unless indicated otherwise, the terms "miRNA inhibitor," "miR-485 inhibitor," and "miR-485 3p inhibitor" can be used interchangeably.
[0091] The terms "miRNA," "miR," and "microRNA" are used interchangeably and refer to a microRNA molecule found in eukaryotes that is involved in RNA-based gene regulation. The term will be used to refer to the single-stranded RNA molecule processed from a precursor. In some aspects, the term "antisense oligomers" can also be used to describe the microRNA molecules of the present disclosure. Names of miRNAs and their sequences related to the present disclosure are provided herein. MicroRNAs recognize and bind to target mRNAs through imperfect base pairing leading to destabilization or translational inhibition of the target mRNA and thereby downregulate target gene expression. Conversely, targeting miRNAs via molecules comprising a miRNA binding site (generally a molecule comprising a sequence complementary to the seed region of the miRNA) can reduce or inhibit the miRNA- induced translational inhibition leading to an upregulation of the target gene.
[0092] The terms "mismatch" or "mismatches" refer to one or more nucleobases (whether contiguous or separate) in an oligomer nucleobase sequence ( e.g ., miR-485 inhibitor) that are not matched to a target nucleic acid sequence (e.g., miR-485) according to base pairing rules. While perfect complementarity is often desired, in some aspects, one or more (e.g, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 mismatches) can occur with respect to the target nucleic acid sequence. Variations at any location within the oligomer are included. In certain aspects, antisense oligomers of the disclosure (e.g, miR-485 inhibitor) include variations in nucleobase sequence near the termini, variations in the interior, and if present are typically within about 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 subunit of the 5' and/or 3' terminus. In some aspects, one, two, or three nucleobases can be removed and still provide on-target binding.
[0093] As used herein, the terms "modulate," "modify," and grammatical variants thereof, generally refer when applied to a specific concentration, level, expression, function or behavior, to the ability to alter, by increasing or decreasing, e.g, directly or indirectly promoting/stimulating/up-regulating or interfering with/inhibiting/down-regulating the specific concentration, level, expression, function or behavior, such as, e.g, to act as an antagonist or agonist. In some instances, a modulator can increase and/or decrease a certain concentration, level, activity or function relative to a control, or relative to the average level of activity that would generally be expected or relative to a control level of activity. In some aspects, a miRNA inhibitor disclosed herein, e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor, can modulate (e.g., decrease, alter, or abolish) miR-485 expression, function, and/or activity, and thereby, modulate inflammasome activity.
[0094] "Nucleic acid," "nucleic acid molecule," "nucleotide sequence," "polynucleotide," and grammatical variants thereof are used interchangeably and refer to the phosphate ester polymeric form of ribonucleosides (adenosine, guanosine, uridine or cytidine; "RNA molecules") or deoxyribonucleosides (deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine, or deoxycytidine; "DNA molecules"), or any phosphoester analogs thereof, such as phosphorothioates and thioesters, in either single stranded form, or a double-stranded helix. Single stranded nucleic acid sequences refer to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or single- stranded RNA (ssRNA). Double stranded DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA and RNA-RNA helices are possible. The term nucleic acid molecule, and in particular DNA or RNA molecule, refers only to the primary and secondary structure of the molecule, and does not limit it to any particular tertiary forms. Thus, this term includes double-stranded DNA found, inter alia , in linear or circular DNA molecules (e.g, restriction fragments), plasmids, supercoiled DNA and chromosomes. In discussing the structure of particular double-stranded DNA molecules, sequences can be described herein according to the normal convention of giving only the sequence in the 5' to 3' direction along the non-transcribed strand of DNA (i.e., the strand having a sequence homologous to the mRNA). A "recombinant DNA molecule" is a DNA molecule that has undergone a molecular biological manipulation. DNA includes, but is not limited to, cDNA, genomic DNA, plasmid DNA, synthetic DNA, and semi-synthetic DNA. A "nucleic acid composition" of the disclosure comprises one or more nucleic acids as described herein.
[0095] The terms "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier," "pharmaceutically acceptable excipient," and grammatical variations thereof, encompass any of the agents approved by a regulatory agency of the U.S. Federal government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia for use in animals, including humans, as well as any carrier or diluent that does not cause the production of undesirable physiological effects to a degree that prohibits administration of the composition to a subject and does not abrogate the biological activity and properties of the administered compound. Included are excipients and carriers that are useful in preparing a pharmaceutical composition and are generally safe, non-toxic, and desirable. [0096] As used herein, the term "pharmaceutical composition" refers to one or more of the compounds described herein, such as, e.g ., a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure, mixed or intermingled with, or suspended in one or more other chemical components, such as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients. One purpose of a pharmaceutical composition is to facilitate administration of preparations comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure to a subject.
[0097] The term "polynucleotide," as used herein, refers to polymers of nucleotides of any length, including ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, analogs thereof, or mixtures thereof.
[0098] In some aspects, the term refers to the primary structure of the molecule. Thus, the term includes triple-, double- and single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid ("DNA"), as well as triple-, double- and single-stranded ribonucleic acid ("RNA"). It also includes modified, for example by alkylation, and/or by capping, and unmodified forms of the polynucleotide.
[0099] In some aspects, the term "polynucleotide" includes polydeoxyribonucleotides
(containing 2-deoxy-D-ribose), polyribonucleotides (containing D-ribose), including tRNA, rRNA, shRNA, siRNA, miRNA and mRNA, whether spliced or unspliced, any other type of polynucleotide which is an N- or C-glycoside of a purine or pyrimidine base, and other polymers containing normucleotidic backbones, for example, polyamide (e.g, peptide nucleic acids "PNAs") and polymorpholino polymers, and other synthetic sequence-specific nucleic acid polymers providing that the polymers contain nucleobases in a configuration which allows for base pairing and base stacking, such as is found in DNA and RNA.
[0100] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a polynucleotide can be, e.g, an oligonucleotide, such as an antisense oligonucleotide. In some aspects, the oligonucleotide is an RNA. In some aspects, the RNA is a synthetic RNA. In some aspects, the synthetic RNA comprises at least one unnatural nucleobase. In some aspects, all nucleobases of a certain class have been replaced with unnatural nucleobases (e.g, all uridines in a polynucleotide disclosed herein can be replaced with an unnatural nucleobase, e.g, 5-methoxyuridine).
[0101] The terms "polypeptide," "peptide," and "protein" are used interchangeably herein to refer to polymers of amino acids of any length. The polymer can comprise modified amino acids. The terms also encompass an amino acid polymer that has been modified naturally or by intervention; for example, disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation or modification, such as conjugation with a labeling component. Also included within the definition are, for example, polypeptides containing one or more analogs of an amino acid (including, for example, unnatural amino acids such as homocysteine, ornithine, p-acetylphenylalanine, D-amino acids, and creatine), as well as other modifications known in the art. The term "polypeptide," as used herein, refers to proteins, polypeptides, and peptides of any size, structure, or function.
[0102] Polypeptides include gene products, naturally occurring polypeptides, synthetic polypeptides, homologs, orthologs, paralogs, fragments and other equivalents, variants, and analogs of the foregoing.
[0103] A polypeptide can be a single polypeptide or can be a multi -molecular complex such as a dimer, trimer or tetramer. They can also comprise single chain or multichain polypeptides. Most commonly disulfide linkages are found in multichain polypeptides. The term polypeptide can also apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acid residues are an artificial chemical analogue of a corresponding naturally occurring amino acid. In some aspects, a "peptide" can be less than or equal to about 50 amino acids long, e.g., about 5, about 10, about 15, about 20, about 25, about 30, about 35, about 40, about 45, or about 50 amino acids long.
[0104] The terms "prevent," "preventing," and variants thereof as used herein, refer partially or completely delaying onset of an disease, disorder and/or condition; partially or completely delaying onset of one or more symptoms, features, or clinical manifestations of a particular disease, disorder, and/or condition; partially or completely delaying onset of one or more symptoms, features, or manifestations of a particular disease, disorder, and/or condition; partially or completely delaying progression from a particular disease, disorder and/or condition; and/or decreasing the risk of developing pathology associated with the disease, disorder, and/or condition. In some aspects, preventing an outcome is achieved through prophylactic treatment.
[0105] As used herein, the terms "promoter" and "promoter sequence" are interchangeable and refer to a DNA sequence capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. In general, a coding sequence is located 3' to a promoter sequence. Promoters can be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic DNA segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters can direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental or physiological conditions. Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in most cell types at most times are commonly referred to as "constitutive promoters." Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed in a specific cell type are commonly referred to as "cell-specific promoters" or "tissue-specific promoters." Promoters that cause a gene to be expressed at a specific stage of development or cell differentiation are commonly referred to as "developmentally-specific promoters" or "cell differentiation-specific promoters." Promoters that are induced and cause a gene to be expressed following exposure or treatment of the cell with an agent, biological molecule, chemical, ligand, light, or the like that induces the promoter are commonly referred to as "inducible promoters" or "regulatable promoters." It is further recognized that since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of different lengths can have identical promoter activity.
[0106] The promoter sequence is typically bounded at its 3' terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5' direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background. Within the promoter sequence will be found a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined for example, by mapping with nuclease SI), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase. In some aspects, a promoter that can be used with the present disclosure includes a tissue specific promoter.
[0107] As used herein, "prophylactic" refers to a therapeutic or course of action used to prevent the onset of a disease or condition, or to prevent or delay a symptom associated with a disease or condition.
[0108] As used herein, a "prophylaxis" refers to a measure taken to maintain health and prevent the onset of a disease or condition, or to prevent or delay a symptom associated with a disease or condition.
[0109] As used herein, the term "gene regulatory region" or "regulatory region" refers to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5' non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3' non-coding sequences) of a coding region, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing, stability, or translation of the associated coding region. Regulatory regions can include promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, polyadenylation recognition sequences, RNA processing sites, effector binding sites, or stem-loop structures. If a coding region is intended for expression in a eukaryotic cell, a polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3' to the coding sequence. [0110] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein ( e.g ., a polynucleotide encoding a RNA comprising one or more miR-485 binding site) can include a promoter and/or other expression (e.g., transcription) control elements operably associated with one or more coding regions. In an operable association a coding region for a gene product is associated with one or more regulatory regions in such a way as to place expression of the gene product under the influence or control of the regulatory region(s). For example, a coding region and a promoter are "operably associated" if induction of promoter function results in the transcription of mRNA encoding the gene product encoded by the coding region, and if the nature of the linkage between the promoter and the coding region does not interfere with the ability of the promoter to direct the expression of the gene product or interfere with the ability of the DNA template to be transcribed. Other expression control elements, besides a promoter, for example enhancers, operators, repressors, and transcription termination signals, can also be operably associated with a coding region to direct gene product expression.
[0111] As used herein, the term "similarity" refers to the overall relatedness between polymeric molecules, e.g. between polynucleotide molecules (e.g. miRNA molecules). Calculation of percent similarity of polymeric molecules to one another can be performed in the same manner as a calculation of percent identity, except that calculation of percent similarity takes into account conservative substitutions as is understood in the art. It is understood that percentage of similarity is contingent on the comparison scale used, i.e., whether the nucleic acids are compared, e.g, according to their evolutionary proximity, charge, volume, flexibility, polarity, hydrophobicity, aromaticity, isoelectric point, antigenicity, or combinations thereof.
[0112] The terms "subject," "patient," "individual," and "host," and variants thereof are used interchangeably herein and refer to any mammalian subject, including without limitation, humans, domestic animals (e.g, dogs, cats and the like), farm animals (e.g, cows, sheep, pigs, horses and the like), and laboratory animals (e.g, monkey, rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs and the like) for whom diagnosis, treatment, or therapy is desired, particularly humans. The methods described herein are applicable to both human therapy and veterinary applications.
[0113] As used herein, the phrase "subject in need thereof includes subjects, such as mammalian subjects, that would benefit from administration of a miRNA inhibitor of the disclosure (e.g, miR-485 inhibitor), e.g, to decrease abnormal inflammasome activity. [0114] As used herein, the term "therapeutically effective amount" is the amount of reagent or pharmaceutical compound comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure that is sufficient to a produce a desired therapeutic effect, pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect on a subject in need thereof. A therapeutically effective amount can be a "prophylactically effective amount" as prophylaxis can be considered therapy.
[0115] The terms "treat," "treatment," or "treating," as used herein refers to, e.g., the reduction in severity of a disease or condition; the reduction in the duration of a disease course; the amelioration or elimination of one or more symptoms associated with a disease or condition; the provision of beneficial effects to a subject with a disease or condition, without necessarily curing the disease or condition. The term also includes prophylaxis or prevention of a disease or condition or its symptoms thereof.
[0116] The term "upstream" refers to a nucleotide sequence that is located 5' to a reference nucleotide sequence.
[0117] A "vector" refers to any vehicle for the cloning of and/or transfer of a nucleic acid into a host cell. A vector can be a replicon to which another nucleic acid segment can be attached so as to bring about the replication of the attached segment. A "replicon" refers to any genetic element (e.g, plasmid, phage, cosmid, chromosome, virus) that functions as an autonomous unit of replication in vivo , i.e., capable of replication under its own control. The term "vector" includes both viral and nonviral vehicles for introducing the nucleic acid into a cell in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. A large number of vectors are known and used in the art including, for example, plasmids, modified eukaryotic viruses, or modified bacterial viruses. Insertion of a polynucleotide into a suitable vector can be accomplished by ligating the appropriate polynucleotide fragments into a chosen vector that has complementary cohesive termini.
[0118] Vectors can be engineered to encode selectable markers or reporters that provide for the selection or identification of cells that have incorporated the vector. Expression of selectable markers or reporters allows identification and/or selection of host cells that incorporate and express other coding regions contained on the vector. Examples of selectable marker genes known and used in the art include: genes providing resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, hygromycin, bialaphos herbicide, sulfonamide, and the like; and genes that are used as phenotypic markers, i.e., anthocyanin regulatory genes, isopentanyl transferase gene, and the like. Examples of reporters known and used in the art include: luciferase (Luc), green fluorescent protein (GFP), chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), b-galactosidase (LacZ), b-glucuronidase (Gus), and the like. Selectable markers can also be considered to be reporters.
II. Methods of Use
[0119] In some aspects, miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure can exert therapeutic effects by regulating inflammasome activity (e.g, increasing or decreasing the formation and/or activation of inflammasomes). Not to be bound by any one theory, in some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein can regulate inflammasome activity by modulating the expression and/or activity of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes. Non-limiting examples of such genes are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure.
[0120] Generally, the formation and/or activation of inflammasomes require two steps. See, e.g., Mane/ al., ImmunolRev 265(1): 6-21 (May 2015). The first step involves a priming signal in which pathogen activated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or danger-activated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are recognized by Toll-like receptors, leading to the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB)-mediated signaling, which in turn up-regulates transcription of various inflammasome-related components (e.g, NLRs and ALRs). The second step involves the assembly of the inflammasome complex, which is initiated by "nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat receptors" (NLRs) or "absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2)-like receptors" (ALRs). The NLRs and ALRs interact with the "adapter protein apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a CARD" (ASC) and procaspase-1, forming an inflammasome complex. This triggers the transformation of procaspase-1 to caspase-1, and the production and secretion of various inflammatory mediators, including mature IL-lb and IL-18. Therefore, in some aspects, by reducing the expression and/or activity of one or more genes associated with inflammasomes, the miR-485 inhibitors described herein can modulate (e.g, reduce) inflammation in a subject in need thereof.
[0121] As is apparent from the above disclosure, inflammasomes comprise three basic protein units: (1) a sensor molecule; (2) adaptor ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain or CARD); and (3) procaspase-1. The adaptor ASC and procaspase-1 are generally common to all inflammasomes. In contrast, each sensor molecule is unique and responds to different stimuli, allowing the inflammasomes to be categorized into different types based on their sensor molecule component. There are at least three canonical types of inflammasomes: (i) nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor (NLR) family ( e.g ., NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, and NLRP12); (ii) absent in melanoma 2-like receptor (ALR) family (e.g., AIM2); and (iii) pyrin. Unless indicated otherwise, the miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure can be useful in treating diseases or disorders associated with any type of inflammasomes known in the art, such as those disclosed herein.
[0122] In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with inflammasomes belonging to the NLR family. In some aspects, the inflammasome belonging to the NLR family comprises a NLRPl inflammasome, NLRP3 inflammasome, NLRC4 inflammasome, NLRP6 inflammasome, NLRPl 2 inflammasome, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure is associated with a NLRPl inflammasome. In some aspects, the disease or disorder is associated with NLRP3 inflammasome. In some aspects, the disease or disorder is associated with NLRC4 inflammasome. In some aspects, the disease or disorder is associated with NLRP6 inflammasomes. In some aspects, the disease or disorder is associated with NLRP12 inflammasome. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with inflammasomes belonging to the ALR family. In some aspects, the disease or disorder is associated with an AIM2 inflammasome. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with pyrin inflammasomes. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that can be treated with the present disclosure include those associated with IFI16 inflammasomes.
[0123] In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises a cardiac disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises an autoimmune disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises a kidney disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is associated with one or more of the inflammasomes described above comprises a neurological disease. Additional disclosure relating to such diseases and disorders are provided elsewhere in the present disclosure.
[0124] Accordingly, in some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can decrease the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) belonging to the NLR family. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRPl gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRP3 gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRC4 gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression and/or activity of a NLRP6 gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression of a NLRP12 gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) belonging to the ALR family. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor can decrease the expression of a AIM2 gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can decrease the expression of a pyrin gene (or protein encoded thereof). In some aspects, a miR- 485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can decrease the expression and/or activity of a IFI16 gene (or protein encoded thereof).
NLRP1 Regulation
[0125] In humans, the NLRP1 gene encodes a member of the Ced-4 family of apoptosis proteins. Ced-family members contain a caspase recruitment domain (CARD) and are known to be key mediators of programmed cell death. The encoded protein contains a distinct N- terminal pyrin-like motif. The NLRPl protein was the first protein shown to form an inflammasome. The protein interacts strongly with caspase 2 and weakly with caspase 9. The NLRPl gene is located on chromosome 17 in humans (nucleotides 5,499,427 to 5,619,424 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000017.11, minus strand orientation). Synonyms of the NLRPl gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non-limiting examples include: "DEFCAP," "CARD7," "NAC," "Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, Leucine Rich Repeat And Pyrin Domain Containing 1," "NACHT, Leucine Rich Repeat And PYD (Pyrin Domain) Containing 1," "Death Effector Filament-Forming Ced-4-Like Apoptosis Protein," "Nucleotide-Binding Domain And Caspase Recruitment Domain," "NACHT, LRR And PYD Domains-Containing Protein 1," "Caspase Recruitment Domain-Containing Protein 7," and "NALP1."
[0126] There are at least seven known isoforms of human NLRPl protein, resulting from alternative splicing. NLRPl isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-1; also known as NAC beta, DEFCAP-L, NALP1-L) consists of 1,473 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 91). NLRPl isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-2; also known as NAC alpha, DEFCAP-S, NALP1-S) consists of 1,429 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 1262-1305: Missing. NLRPl isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-3; also known as NAC gamma) consists of 1,399 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 958-987: Missing; and (ii) 1262-1305: Missing. NLRP1 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-4; also known as NAC delta) is made up of 1,443 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 958-987: Missing. NLRP1 isoform 5 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-5) consists of 1,375 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 1044-1044: A → AGKSH; (ii) 1354-1371: DLMPATTLIPPARIAVPS → RNTSQPWNLRCNRDARRY; and (iii) 1372-1473: Missing. NLRP1 isoform 6 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-6) is 739 amino acids in length and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 1-734: Missing. NLRP1 isoform 7 (UniProt identifier: Q9C000-7) consists of 409 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 1-966: Missing; (ii) 1044-1044: A → AGKSH; (iii) 1354-1371: DLMPATTLIPPARIAVPS → RNTSQPWNLRCNRDARRY; and (iv) 1372-1473: Missing. Table 1 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP1 isoforms. Table 1. NLRP1 Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000036_0001
Figure imgf000037_0001
Figure imgf000038_0001
[0127] As used herein, the term "NLRP1" includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP1 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, isoform 4, isoform 5, isoform 6, isoform 7 are collectively referred to herein as
'NLRPl . NLRP3 Regulation
[0128] NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is a protein that in human is encoded by the NLRP3 gene. The NLRP3 gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 1 in humans (nucleotides 247,416,156 to 247,449, 108 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000001.11, plus strand orientation). Synonyms of the NLRP3 gene, and the encoded protein thereof, are known and include: "cryopyrin," "CLR1.1," "PYPAF1," "NALP3," "nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3," "cold-induced autoinflammatory syndrome 1 protein," "NACHT, LRR AndPYD domains- containing protein 3," "PYRIN-containing APAFl-like protein 1," "deafness, autosomal dominant 34," "Caterpiller Protein 1.1," "AGTAVPRL," "NACHT domain-, leucine-rich repeat-, and PYD-containing protein 3," "cryopyrin, NACHT, LRR and PYD domains - containing protein 3," "angiotensin/vasopressin receptor All/ AVP-like," "Clorf7," "CIAS1," "DFNA34," "FACS," "All," "AVP," "FCU," "MWS," "FCAS1," "KEFH," and "cold autoinflammatory syndrome 1 protein."
[0129] There are at least six known isoforms of human NLRP3 protein, resulting from alternative splicing. NLRP3 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-1) consists of 1,036 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 123). NLRP3 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-2) consists of 922 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 721-777: missing, and (ii) 836-892: missing (SEQ ID NO: 124). NLRP3 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-3) consists of 719 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 720-1036: missing (SEQ ID NO: 125). NLRP3 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-4) is 979 amino acids in length and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 721-777: missing (SEQ ID NO: 126). NLRP3 isoform 5 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20-5) is 979 amino acids in length and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 836-892: missing (SEQ ID NO: 127). NLRP3 isoform 6 (UniProt identifier: Q96P20- 6) consists of 1,016 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 776-796: WLGRCGLSHECCFDISLVLSS C (SEQ ID NO: 128). Table 2 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP3 isoforms.
Table 2. NLRP3 Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000039_0001
Figure imgf000040_0001
Figure imgf000041_0001
[0130] As used herein, the term "NLRP3" includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP3 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, isoform 4, isoform 5, and isoform 6 are collectively referred to herein as "NLRP3."
NLRC4 Regulation
[0131] NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NLRC4 gene. The NLRC4 gene is located on chromosome 2 in humans (nucleotides 32,224,449 to 32,265,743 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000002.12, minus strand orientation). Synonyms of the NLRC4 gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non-limiting examples include: "NLR Family CARD Domain Containing 4," "CLAN1," "CLAN," "Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, Leucine Rich Repeat And CARD Domain Containing 4," "Caspase Recruitment Domain- Containing Protein 12," "CARD, LRR, And NACHT-Containing Protein," "NOD-Like Receptor C4," "CARD12," and "IPAF."
[0132] There are at least four known isoforms of human NLRC4 protein, resulting from alternative splicing. NLRC4 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-1; also known as CLANA) consists of 1,024 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 98). NLRC4 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-1; also known as CLANB) consists of 359 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 89-753: Missing. NLRC4 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-3; also known as CLANC) consists of 156 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 155-156: NG VL; and (ii) 157-1024: Missing. NLRC4 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q9NPP4-4; also known as CLAND) consists of 92 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 90-92: FHQ --> LTA; and (ii) 93-1024: Missing. Table 3 below provides the sequences for the different NLRC4 isoforms.
Table 3. NLRC4 Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000042_0001
Figure imgf000043_0001
[0133] As used herein, the term "NLRC4" includes any variants or isoforms of NLRC4 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, and isoform 4 are collectively referred to herein as " NLRC4."
NLRP6 Regulation
[0134] In humans, the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) protein is encoded by the NLRP6 gene. The NLRP6 gene is located on chromosome 1 in humans (nucleotides 278,365 to 285,942 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000011.10, plus strand orientation). Synonyms of the NLRP6 gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non-limiting examples include: "PYPAF5," "Nucleotide-Binding Oligomerization Domain, Leucine Rich Repeat And Pyrin Domain Containing 6," " ACHT, Leucine Rich Repeat And PYD Containing 6," "PYRIN-Containing APAFl-Like Protein 5," "Angiotensin II/Vasopressin Receptor," "NALP6," and "PAN3."
[0135] There are at least two known isoforms of human NLRP6 protein, resulting from alternative splicing. NLRP6 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: P59044-1) consists of 892 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 102). NLRP6 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: P59044-2) consists of 891 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 702-702: Missing. Table 4 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP6 isoforms.
Table 4. NLRP6 Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000043_0002
Figure imgf000044_0001
[0136] As used herein, the term "NLRP6" includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP6 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1 and isoform 2 are collectively referred to herein as "NLRP6."
NLRP12 Regulation
[0137] NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 12 (NLRP12) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NLRP12 gene. The NLRP12 gene is located on chromosome 19 in humans (nucleotides 53,793,584 to 53,824,403 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000019.10, minus strand orientation). Synonyms of the NLRP12 gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non-limiting examples include: "PYPAF7," "NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 12," "PYRIN-Containing APAFl-Like Protein 7," "NALP12," "PAN6," "RN02," and "Monarch 1."
[0138] There are at least seven known isoforms of human NLRP12 protein, resulting from alternative splicing. NLRP12 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: P59046-1) consists of 1,061 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 104). NLRP12 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: P59046-2) consists of 1,005 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 976-1031: Missing. NLRP12 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: P59046-3) consists of 949 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 862-973: Missing. NLRP12 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: P59046-4) consists of 891 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 862-1031: Missing. NLRP12 isoform 5 (UniProt identifier: P59046-5) is made up of 287 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 1-717: Missing; (ii) 718-748: LSLYRNALGSRGVKLLCQGLRHPNCKLQNLR → MSQAWWHTSVSPATQEAKAGGL LQPRRQRLW; and (iii) 921-977: Missing. NLRP12 isoform 6 (UniProt identifier: P59046-6) consists of 1,004 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 920-976: Missing. NLRP12 isoform 7 (UniProt identifier: P59046-7) consists of 1,062 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 691-691: L → LR." Table 5 below provides the sequences for the different NLRP12 isoforms. Table 5. NLRP12 Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000045_0001
Figure imgf000046_0001
Figure imgf000047_0001
[0139] As used herein, the term "NLRP12" includes any variants or isoforms of NLRP12 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform 3, isoform 4, isoform 5, isoform 6, isoform 7 are collectively referred to herein as
'NLRP12.
AIM2 Regulation
[0140] In humans, the AIM2 gene encodes the interferon-inducible protein AIM2 (AIM2).
The AIM2 gene is located on chromosome 1 in humans (nucleotides 159,059,226 to 159,147,096 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000001.11, minus strand orientation). Synonyms of the AIM2 gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non limiting examples include: " Absent In Melanoma 2" and "PYHIN4."
[0141] Table 6 below provides the amino acid sequence for the AIM2 protein.
Table 6. AIM2 Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000047_0002
[0142] As used herein, the term "AIM2" includes any variants or isoforms of AIM2 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1 and isoform 2 are collectively referred to herein as "AIM2."
IFI16 Regulation
[0143] In humans, the gamma-interferon-inducible protein IFI-16 (IFI-16) is encoded by the IFI16 gene, which is located on chromosome 1 (nucleotides 158,969,766 to 159,024,941 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000001.11, plus strand orientation). Synonyms of the IFI16 gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non-limiting examples include: "IFNGIP1," "Interferon-Inducible Myeloid Differentiation Transcriptional Activator," and "PYHIN2."
[0144] There are at least four known isoforms of human IFI-16 protein, resulting from alternative splicing. IFI-16 isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: Q16666-1; also known as "IFI 16A") consists of 785 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 112). IFI-16 isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: Q16666-2; also known as "IFI 16B") consists of 729 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 444-499: Missing. IFI-16 isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: Q16666-3; also known as "IFI 16C") consists of 673 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 444-555: Missing. IFI-16 isoform 4 (UniProt identifier: Q 16666-6) consists of 729 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 128-183: Missing. Table 7 below provides the amino acid sequence for the IFI-16 protein.
Table 7. IFI-16 Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000048_0001
Figure imgf000049_0001
[0145] As used herein, the term "IFI-16" includes any variants or isoforms of IFI-16 which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, isoform, 3, and isoform 4 are collectively referred to herein as " IFI-16."
Pyrin Regulation
[0146] In humans, the pyrin protein is encoded by the MEFV gene. The MEFV gene is located on chromosome 16 in humans (nucleotides 3,242,027 to 3,256,776 of GenBank Accession Number NC_000016.10, minus strand orientation). Synonyms of the MEFU gene (including the encoded protein thereof) are known and non-limiting examples include: "MEFV Innate Immunity Regulator, Pyrin," "Marenostrin," "TRIM20," and "Mediterranean Fever."
[0147] There are at least three known isoforms of human pyrin protein, resulting from alternative splicing. Pyrin isoform 1 (UniProt identifier: 015553-2) consists of 781 amino acids and has been chosen as the canonical sequence (SEQ ID NO: 116). Pyrin isoform 2 (UniProt identifier: 015553-1) consists of 570 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: 93-303: Missing. Pyrin isoform 3 (UniProt identifier: 015553-3) consists of 445 amino acids and differs from the canonical sequence as follows: (i) 93-303: Missing; and (ii) 587-781: VPELIGAQ AH.. TCP VGGQGPD DHSPQHGLGS ... GADWRSGTCC . Table 8 below provides the sequences for the different pyrin isoforms.
Table 8. Pyrin Protein Isoforms
Figure imgf000049_0002
Figure imgf000050_0001
[0148] As used herein, the term "pyrin" includes any variants or isoforms of pyrin which are naturally expressed by cells. Unless indicated otherwise, isoform 1, isoform 2, and isoform 3 are collectively referred to herein as "pyrin."
[0149] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure decreases the expression of one or more genes and/or proteins associated with an inflammasome (e.g. , NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, or pyrin) by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about 150%, at least about 200%, or at least about 300% compared to a reference (e.g., expression of the one or more genes and/or proteins in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
[0150] Not to be bound by any one theory, in some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression of one or more genes and/or proteins associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, or pyrin) by reducing the expression and/or activity of miR-485, e.g., miR-485-3p. In some aspects, a miR- 485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can reduce the expression and/or activity of miR-485- 3p.
[0151] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression and/or activity of miR-485-3p by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100% compared to a reference (e.g, miR-485- 3p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor). In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression and/or activity of miR-485-5p by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100% compared to a reference (e.g, miR-485- 5p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor). In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein decreases the expression and/or activity of both miR-485-3p and miR-485-5p by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100% compared to a reference (e.g, miR-485-3p and miR-485-5p expression in a corresponding subject that did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor). In some aspects, the expression of miR- 485-3p and/or miR-485-5p is completely inhibited after the administration of the miR-485 inhibitor.
Cardiac Diseases
[0152] As described herein, in some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat a cardiac disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating a cardiac disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRPl 2, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL- 18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the cardiac disease.
[0153] As used herein, the term "cardiac disease" refers to any disease affecting the heart and is not particularly limited as long as the disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity. In some aspects, the cardiac disease comprises a myocardial ischemic dysfunction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemia, postischemic damage, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac fibrosis, aneurysm, arteritis, cardiomyopathy ( e.g ., diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy), chronic heart failure, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, a cardiac disease that can be used to treat with a miR-485 inhibitor provided herein comprises a myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
[0154] In some aspects, administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with a cardiac disease. Non-limiting examples of such symptoms include: chest discomfort (angina); nausea; shortness of breath; pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in legs or arms; pain in neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back; tachycardia; bradycardia; dizziness; fainting; cyanosis; and combinations thereof.
Autoimmune Diseases
[0155] As described herein, in some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat an autoimmune disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g., NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL- 6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the autoimmune disease.
[0156] As used herein, the term "autoimmune disease" refers to a disease caused by an inability of a host's immune system to distinguish foreign molecules from self-molecules, such that the host's immune system attacks and destroys the self-molecules. As used herein, "self molecules" (e.g. , protein or DNA) refer to a molecule that is derived from or is native to a host. As used herein, "foreign molecules" refer to molecules that are derived from another, and are of a non-native origin. Autoimmune diseases that can be treated with the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as the disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity. In some aspects, autoimmune disease comprises a rheumatic disease. In some aspects, a rheumatic disease comprises a rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, Beh e s disease, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, IgA vasculitis, type 1 diabetes, atopy, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, Graves' disease, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis. [0157] In some aspects, administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with an autoimmune disease. Non-limiting examples of such symptoms include: fatigue; joint pain and swelling; recurring fever; swollen glands; and combinations thereof.
Kidney Diseases
[0158] As described herein, in some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat a kidney disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating a kidney disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRPl 2, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL- 18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the kidney disease.
[0159] As used herein, the term "kidney disease" refers to a any disease or disorder that can negatively affect one or more kidney functions. Any kidney diseases can be treated with the miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure, as long as the kidney disease is associated with an abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity. Non-limiting examples of kidney diseases that can be treated include: acute kidney disease (e.g, caused by poison, trauma, shock, infection, sepsis, toxin, blockage such as kidney stones, heart failure), chronic kidney disease (CKDC) (e.g, gradual loss of kidney function due to aging, genetics, blockage such as kidney stones, diabetes, infection, dental disease, immunological disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, cancer, congenial kidney malformation, congenital polycystic kidney disease), end-stage renal disease, anemia, nephritis (e.g, acute pyelonephritis, lupus nephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis), nephropathy (e.g, IgA nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, oxalate nephropathy), acute tubular necrosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerular diseases, proteinuria, or combinations thereof.
[0160] In some aspects, administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with a kidney disease. Non-limiting examples of such symptoms include: vomiting; frequent urge to urinate; decreased urine output; swelling of ankles; fatigue; loss of appetite; sleep problems; muscle cramps; persistent itching; and combinations thereof. Neurological Diseases
[0161] As described herein, in some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein can be used to treat a neurological disease. Accordingly, in some aspects, provided herein is a method of treating a neurological disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a miR-485 inhibitor. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor decreases the expression and/or activity of a gene (or protein encoded thereof) associated with an inflammasome (e.g, NLRPl, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18, or Caspase-1), and thereby treat the neurological disease.
[0162] As used herein, the term "neurological disease" refers to a disease that affects the central and/or peripheral nervous system (e.g, brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junctions, or muscles). As is apparent from the present disclosure, any neurological disease can be treated using the miR- 485 inhibitors described herein, as long as the neurological disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity. In some aspects, a neurological disease that can be treated with a miR-485 inhibitor comprises epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, infection, autism spectrum disorder, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, the neurological disease is epilepsy.
[0163] As used herein, the term "epilepsy" refers to any of the various neurological disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and often manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions (i.e., seizures). There are over 40 different types of epilepsy, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. These include, but are not limited to: Absence seizures (petit mal), atonic seizures, benign Rolandic epilepsy, childhood absence, clonic seizures, complex partial seizures, frontal lobe epilepsy, Febrile seizures, Infantile spasms, Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile Absence Epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, myoclonic seizures, Mitochondrial Disorders, Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsies, Psychogenic Seizures, Reflex Epilepsy, Rasmussen's Syndrome, Simple Partial Seizures and Epilepsy, Secondarily Generalized Seizures, Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, Toni-clonic seizures (gran mal), Tonic seizures, Psychomotor Seizures, Complex Partial Seizures and Epilepsy, Limbic Epilepsy, Partial-Onset Seizures, generalized-onset seizures, Status Epilepticus, Abdominal Epilepsy, Akinetic Seizures, Auto-nomic seizures, Massive Bilateral Myoclonus, Catamenial Epilepsy, Drop seizures, Emotional seizures, Focal seizures, Gelastic seizures, Jacksonian March, Lafora Disease, Motor seizures, Multifocal seizures, Neonatal seizures, Nocturnal seizures, Photosensitive seizure, Pseudo seizures, Sensory seizures, Subtle seizures, Sylvan Seizures, Withdrawal seizures, Visual Reflex Seizures, and combinations thereof. The most widespread classification of the epilepsies divides epilepsy syndromes by location or distribution of seizures (as revealed by the appearance of the seizures and by EEG) and by cause. Syndromes are divided into localization-related epilepsies, generalized epilepsies, or epilepsies of unknown localization.
[0164] In some aspects, administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein can improve one or more symptoms associated with a neurological disorder. Non-limiting examples of such symptoms include: confusion; staring spell; uncontrollable jerking movements of arms and legs; loss of consciousness or awareness; psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety, or deja vu; and combinations thereof.
[0165] Additional aspects of the diseases and disorders that can be treated with the miR-
485 inhibitors are provided throughout the present disclosure.
[0166] In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: a multiple sclerosis (MS), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), joint inflammation, contact hypersensitivity, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), tendonitis, bursitis, psoriasis, arthrosteitis, giant cell arteritis, progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), polymyositis (inflammatory myopathy), pemphigus, mixed connective tissue disease, sclerosing cholangitis, inflammatory dermatoses, sarcoidosis, Wegener's granulomatosis and related forms of angiitis (temporal arteritis and polyarteritis nodosa), hepatitis, delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., poison ivy dermatitis), encephalitis, immediate hypersensitivity reactions, hayfever, allergies, acute anaphylaxis, rheumatic fever, cellulitis, cystitis, chronic cholecystitis, ischemia (ischemic injury), allograft rejection, host- versus-graft rejection, appendicitis, arteritis, blepharitis, cervicitis, cholangitis, chorioamnionitis, conjunctivitis, dacryoadenitis, endocarditis, endometritis, enteritis, enterocolitis, epicondylitis, epididymitis, fasciitis, fibrositis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gingivitis, ileitis, iritis, laryngitis, myelitis, omphalitis, oophoritis, orchitis, osteitis, otitis, pancreatitis, parotitis, pericarditis, pharyngitis, pleuritis, phlebitis, proctitis, prostatitis, rhinitis, salpingitis, sinusitis, stomatitis, synovitis, testitis, tonsillitis, urethritis, urocystitis, uveitis, vaginitis, vasculitis, vulvitis, and vulvovaginitis, angitis, osteomylitis, optic neuritis, temporal arteritis, transverse myelitis, necrotizing fasciitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and combinations thereof.
[0167] In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a pulmonary disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: an asthma, allergic airway inflammation, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, hayfever, hyperinflammation following an infection ( e.g ., influenza infection), silicosis, asbestosis, bronchiectasis, berylliosis, talcosis, pneumoconiosis, obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonitis (UIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia, pneumonitis, bronchiolitis, bronchitis, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, giant cell interstitial pneumonia, cellular interstitial pneumonia, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary hypertension (e.g., Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IP AH) (also known as Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH)) and Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension (SPH)), interstitial lung disease, pulmonary edema, respiratory tract inflammation, and combinations thereof.
[0168] In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a metabolic disease. In some aspects, a disease or disorder that is treated with a miR-485 inhibitor is not a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: a familial hypercholesterolemia, Gaucher disease, Hunter syndrome, Krabbe disease, Maple syrup urine disease, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, stroke-like episodes (MELAS), Niemann-Pick, Phenylketonuria (PKU), Porphyria, Ta-Sachs disease, Wilson's disease, and combinations thereof.
[0169] Not to be bound by any one theory, in some aspects, administering a miR-485 inhibitor described herein to a subject can decrease the amount of inflammation in the subject. In certain aspects, the decrease in the amount of inflammation can improve and/or alleviate one or more symptoms associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity (e.g, such as those described herein). In some aspects, the amount of inflammation in the subject is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or about 100%, compared to the amount of inflammation in a reference subject ( e.g ., the same subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miRNA inhibitor).
[0170] The amount of inflammation in a subject can be measured using any suitable methods known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,598,080; and Leng, S.X., et al, J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 63(8): 879-884 (Aug. 2008); each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For instance, in some aspects, the amount of inflammation in a subject can be determined by measuring the level of one or more inflammatory mediators in the subject. Non-limiting examples of inflammatory mediators include: prostaglandins, leukotrienes, platelet-activating factor, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, cytokines, neuropeptides, complement, and combinations thereof. In some aspects, the inflammatory mediator comprises IL-Ib. In some aspects, the inflammatory mediator comprises TNF-a. In some aspects, the inflammatory mediator comprises both TNF-a and IL-Ib.
[0171] As described herein, inflammasomes play an important role in the activation of inflammatory processes as part of the innate immune system. Accordingly, not to be bound by any one theory, in some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can prevent and/or reduce the formation and/or activation of inflammasomes, which, in turn, can reduce the amount of inflammation. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor can prevent and/or reduce the formation and/or activation of inflammasomes by modulating the expression of one or more components of inflammasomes (e.g, such as those described herein). In some aspects, administering a miR-485 inhibitor to a subject can decrease the amount of inflammasomes in the subject by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or about 100%, compared to the amount of inflammation in a reference subject (e.g, the same subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miRNA inhibitor).
[0172] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein can be administered by any suitable route known in the art. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is administered intranasally, parenthetically, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, ophthalmic, intravenously, intraperitoneally, intradermally, intraorbitally, intracerebrally, intracranially, intracerebroventricularly, intraspinally, intraventricular, intrathecally, intracistemally, intracapsularly, intratumorally, or any combination thereof.
[0173] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure can be used in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents. In some aspects, the additional therapeutic agent and the miR-485 inhibitor are administered concurrently. In certain aspects, the additional therapeutic agent and the miR-485 inhibitor are administered sequentially.
[0174] In some aspects, the administration of a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein does not result in any adverse effects. In certain aspects, miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure do not adversely affect body weight when administered to a subject. In some aspects, miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein do not result in increased mortality or cause pathological abnormalities when administered to a subject.
Il miRNA-485 Inhibitors Useful for the Present Disclosure
[0175] Disclosed herein are compounds that can inhibit miR-485 activity (miR-485 inhibitor). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleotide molecule that comprises at least one miR-485 binding site, wherein the nucleotide molecule does not encode a protein. As described herein, in some aspects, the miR-485 binding site is at least partially complementary to the target miRNA nucleic acid sequence (i.e., miR-485), such that the miR-485 inhibitor hybridizes to the miR-485 nucleic acid sequence.
[0176] In some aspects, the miR-485 binding site of a miR inhibitor disclosed herein has at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% sequence complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence of a miR-485. In certain aspects, the miR-485 binding site is fully complementary to the nucleic acid sequence of a miR-485.
[0177] The miR-485 hairpin precursor can generate both miR-485-5p and miR-485-3p. In the context of the present disclosure "miR-485" encompasses both miR-485-5p and miR-485- 3p unless specified otherwise. The human mature miR-485-3p has the sequence 5'- GUCAUACACGGCUCUCCUCUCU-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1; miRBase Acc. No. MIMAT0002176). A 5' terminal subsequence of miR-485-3p 5'-UCAUACA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 49) is the seed sequence. The human mature miR-485-5p has the sequence 5'- AGAGGCUGGCCGUGAUGAAUUC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 33; miRBase Acc. No. MIMAT0002 175). A 5' terminal subsequence of miR-485-5p 5'-GAGGCUG-3' (SEQ ID NO: 50) is the seed sequence.
[0178] As will be apparent to those in the art, the human mature miR-485-3p has significant sequence similarity to that of other species. For instance, the mouse mature miR-485-3p differs from the human mature miR-485-3p by a single amino acid at each of the 5'- and 3'- ends (i.e., has an extra "A" at the 5'-end and missing "C" at the 3'-end). The mouse mature miR-485-3p has the following sequence: 5'-AGUC AUACACGGCUCUCCUCUC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 34; miRBase Acc. No. MIMAT0003129; underlined portion corresponds to overlap to human mature miR-485-3p). The sequence for the mouse mature miR-485-5p is identical to that of the human: 5'-agaggcuggccgugaugaauuc-3' (SEQ ID NO: 33; miRBase Acc. No.
MIMAT0003 128). Because of the similarity in sequences, in some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is capable of binding miR-485-3p and/or miR-485-5p from one or more species. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is capable of binding to miR-485-3p and/or miR-485-5p from both human and mouse.
[0179] In some aspects, the miR-485 binding site is a single-stranded polynucleotide sequence that is complementary ( e.g ., fully complementary) to a sequence of a miR-485-3p (or a subsequence thereof). In some aspects, the miR-485-3p subsequence comprises the seed sequence. Accordingly, in certain aspects, the miR-485 binding site has at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% sequence complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 49. In certain aspects, the miR-485 binding site is complementary to miR-485-3p except for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mismatches. In further aspects, the miR-485 binding site is fully complementary to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.
[0180] In some aspects, the miR-485 binding site is a single-stranded polynucleotide sequence that is complementary (e.g., fully complementary) to a sequence of a miR-485-5p (or a subsequence thereof). In some aspects, the miR-485-5p subsequence comprises the seed sequence. In certain aspects, the miR-485 binding site has at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% sequence complementarity to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50. In certain aspects, the miR-485 binding site is complementary to miR-485-5p except for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mismatches. In further aspects, the miR-485 binding site is fully complementary to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 35.
[0181] The seed region of a miRNA forms a tight duplex with the target mRNA. Most miRNAs imperfectly base-pair with the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs, and the 5' proximal "seed" region of miRNAs provides most of the pairing specificity. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that the first nine miRNA nucleotides (encompassing the seed sequence) provide greater specificity whereas the miRNA ribonucleotides 3' of this region allow for lower sequence specificity and thus tolerate a higher degree of mismatched base pairing, with positions 2-7 being the most important. Accordingly, in specific aspects of the present disclosure, the miR-485 binding site comprises a subsequence that is fully complementary (i.e., 100% complementary) over the entire length of the seed sequence of miR- 485.
[0182] miRNA sequences and miRNA binding sequences that can be used in the context of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, all or a portion of those sequences in the sequence listing provided herein, as well as the miRNA precursor sequence, or complement of one or more of these miRNAs. Any aspects of the disclosure involving specific miRNAs or miRNA binding sites by name is contemplated also to cover miRNAs or complementary sequences thereof whose sequences are at least about at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 71%, at least about 72%, at least about 73%, at least about 74%, at least about 75%, at least about 76%, at least about 77%, at least about 78%, at least about 79%, at least about 80%, at least about 81%, at least about 82%, at least about 83%, at least about 84%, at least about 85%, at least about 86%, at least about 87%, at least about 88%, at least about 89%, at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% identical to the mature sequence of the specified miRNA sequence or complementary sequence thereof.
[0183] In some aspects, miRNA binding sequences of the present disclosure can include additional nucleotides at the 5', 3', or both 5' and 3' ends of those sequences in the sequence listing provided herein, as long as the modified sequence is still capable of specifically binding to miR-485. In some aspects, miRNA binding sequences of the present disclosure can differ in at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more nucleotides with respect to those sequence in the sequence listing provided, as long as the modified sequence is still capable of specifically binding to miR-485.
[0184] It is also specifically contemplated that any methods and compositions discussed herein with respect to miRNA binding molecules or miRNA can be implemented with respect to synthetic miRNAs binding molecules. It is also understood that the disclosures related to RNA sequences in the present disclosure are equally applicable to corresponding DNA sequences.
[0185] In some aspects, a miRNA-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises at least
1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 5' of the nucleotide sequence. In some aspects, a miRNA-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 3' of the nucleotide sequence.
[0186] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is about 6 to about 30 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 7 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 8 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 9 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is 10 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 11 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 12 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 13 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 14 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is 15 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 16 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is 17 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 18 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 19 nucleotides in length. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 20 nucleotides in length. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure is 21 nucleotides in length. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is 22 nucleotides in length.
[0187] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, or about 100% identical to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, wherein the nucleotide sequence can optionally comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mismatches.
[0188] In some aspects, a miRNA inhibitor comprises 5'-UGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2),
5'-GUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 3), 5'-CGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 4), 5'- CCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 5), 5'-GCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 6), 5'- AGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 7), 5'-GAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 8), 5'- AGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 9), 5'-GAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 10), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 11), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 12), 5'-GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 13), 5'- AGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 14), or 5'-
GAGAGGAGAGCCGU GUAUGA-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 15).
[0189] In some aspects, the miRNA inhibitor has 5'-UGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 16),
5'-GUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 17), 5'-CGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 18), 5'- CCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 19), 5'-GCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 20), 5'- AGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 21), 5'-GAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 22), 5'-AGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 23), 5'-GAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 24), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 25), 5'-
AGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 26), 5'-GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 27), 5'-AGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 28), 5'- GAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 1 (SEQ ID NO: 29), or
AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC (SEQ ID NO: 30). [0190] In some aspects, the miRNA inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5'-TGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 62), 5'-GTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 63), 5'- CGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 64), 5'-CCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 65), 5'- GCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 66), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 67), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 68), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 69), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 70), 5'-GGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 71), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 72), 5'-
GAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 73), 5 ' - AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G A- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 74), 5 ' -GAGAGGAGAGCC GT GT AT GA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 75); 5'- TGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 76), 5'-GTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 77), 5'- CGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 78), 5'-CCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 79), 5'- GCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 80), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 81), 5'- GAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 82), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 83), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 84), 5'-GGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 85), 51 - AGGAGAGC CGT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 86), 5'- GAGGAGAGCCGTGT AT GAC-31 (SEQ ID NO: 87), 51 - AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC - 3' (SEQ ID NO: 88), 5'-GAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 89), and 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 90).
[0191] In some aspects, a miRNA inhibitor disclosed herein (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% identical to 5 -
AG AG AGG AG AGC C GU GU AU GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-
AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 90). In some aspects, the miRNA inhibitor comprises a nucleotide sequence that has at least 90% similarity to 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GU GU AU GAC -3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-
AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 90). In some aspects, the miRNA inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'-AGAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 90) with one substitution or two substitutions. In certain aspects, the miRNA inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT GAC -31 (SEQ ID NO: 90). In certain aspects, the miRNA inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
[0192] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four or at least five additional nucleic acid at the N terminus, at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, or at least five additional nucleic acid at the C terminus, or both. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and one additional nucleic acid at the N terminus and/or one additional nucleic acid at the C terminus. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and one or two additional nucleic acids at the N terminus and/or one or two additional nucleic acids at the C terminus. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises the sequence disclosed herein, e.g., any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2 to 30, and one to three additional nucleic acids at the N terminus and/or one to three additional nucleic acids at the C terminus. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises 5'- GAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 29). In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises 5’- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
[0193] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure comprises one miR-
485 binding site. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein comprises at least two miR-485 binding sites. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises three miR-485 binding sites. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises four miR-485 binding sites. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises five miR-485 binding sites. In certain aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises six or more miR-485 binding sites. In some aspects, all the miR- 485 binding sites are identical. In some aspects, all the miR-485 binding sites are different. In some aspects, at least one of the miR-485 binding sites is different. In some aspects, all the miR-485 binding sites are miR-485-3p binding sites. In other aspects, all the miR-485 binding sites are miR-485-5p binding sites. In further aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least one miR-485-3p binding site and at least one miR-485-5p binding site.
III. a. Chemically Modified Polynucleotides
[0194] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein comprises a polynucleotide which includes at least one chemically modified nucleoside and/or nucleotide. When the polynucleotides of the present disclosure are chemically modified the polynucleotides can be referred to as "modified polynucleotides."
[0195] A "nucleoside" refers to a compound containing a sugar molecule ( e.g ., a pentose or ribose) or a derivative thereof in combination with an organic base (e.g., a purine or pyrimidine) or a derivative thereof (also referred to herein as "nucleobase"). A "nucleotide" refers to a nucleoside including a phosphate group. Modified nucleotides can be synthesized by any useful method, such as, for example, chemically, enzymatically, or recombinantly, to include one or more modified or non-natural nucleosides.
[0196] Polynucleotides can comprise a region or regions of linked nucleosides. Such regions can have variable backbone linkages. The linkages can be standard phosphodiester linkages, in which case the polynucleotides would comprise regions of nucleotides.
[0197] The modified polynucleotides disclosed herein can comprise various distinct modifications. In some aspects, the modified polynucleotides contain one, two, or more (optionally different) nucleoside or nucleotide modifications. In some aspects, a modified polynucleotide can exhibit one or more desirable properties, e.g, improved thermal or chemical stability, reduced immunogenicity, reduced degradation, increased binding to the target microRNA, reduced non-specific binding to other microRNA or other molecules, as compared to an unmodified polynucleotide.
[0198] In some aspects, a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor) is chemically modified. As used herein, in reference to a polynucleotide, the terms "chemical modification" or, as appropriate, "chemically modified" refer to modification with respect to adenosine (A), guanosine (G), uridine (U), thymidine (T) or cytidine (C) ribo- or deoxyribonucleosides in one or more of their position, pattern, percent or population, including, but not limited to, its nucleobase, sugar, backbone, or any combination thereof.
[0199] In some aspects, a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor) can have a uniform chemical modification of all or any of the same nucleoside type or a population of modifications produced by downward titration of the same starting modification in all or any of the same nucleoside type, or a measured percent of a chemical modification of all any of the same nucleoside type but with random incorporation In further aspects, the polynucleotide of the present disclosure (e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor) can have a uniform chemical modification of two, three, or four of the same nucleoside type throughout the entire polynucleotide (such as all uridines and/or all cytidines, etc. are modified in the same way).
[0200] Modified nucleotide base pairing encompasses not only the standard adenine- thymine, adenine-uracil, or guanine-cytosine base pairs, but also base pairs formed between nucleotides and/or modified nucleotides comprising non-standard or modified bases, wherein the arrangement of hydrogen bond donors and hydrogen bond acceptors permits hydrogen bonding between a non-standard base and a standard base or between two complementary non standard base structures. One example of such non-standard base pairing is the base pairing between the modified nucleobase inosine and adenine, cytosine or uracil. Any combination of base/sugar or linker can be incorporated into polynucleotides of the present disclosure.
[0201] The skilled artisan will appreciate that, except where otherwise noted, polynucleotide sequences set forth in the instant application will recite "T"s in a representative DNA sequence but where the sequence represents RNA, the "T"s would be substituted for "U"s. For example, TD's of the present disclosure can be administered as RNAs, as DNAs, or as hybrid molecules comprising both RNA and DNA units.
[0202] In some aspects, the polynucleotide (e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor) includes a combination of at least two (e.g, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 18, 20 or more) modified nucleobases.
[0203] In some aspects, the nucleobases, sugar, backbone linkages, or any combination thereof in a polynucleotide are modified by at least about 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99% or 100%.
(i) Base Modification
[0204] In certain aspects, the chemical modification is at nucleobases in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure ( e.g ., a miR-485 inhibitor). In some aspects, the at least one chemically modified nucleoside is a modified uridine (e.g., pseudouridine (y), 2-thiouridine (s2U), 1- methyl-pseudouridine (ihΐy), 1 -ethyl-pseudouridine (eΐy), or 5-methoxy-uridine (mo5U)), a modified cytosine (e.g, 5-methyl-cytidine (m5C)) a modified adenosine (e.g., 1-methyl- adenosine (ml A), N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A), or 2-methyl-adenine (m2 A)), a modified guanosine ( e.g ., 7-methyl-guanosine (m7G) or 1-methyl-guanosine (mlG)), or a combination thereof.
[0205] In some aspects, the polynucleotide of the present disclosure (e.g., a miR-485 inhibitor) is uniformly modified (e.g, fully modified, modified throughout the entire sequence) for a particular modification. For example, a polynucleotide can be uniformly modified with the same type of base modification, e.g, 5-methyl-cytidine (m5C), meaning that all cytosine residues in the polynucleotide sequence are replaced with 5-methyl-cytidine (m5C). Similarly, a polynucleotide can be uniformly modified for any type of nucleoside residue present in the sequence by replacement with a modified nucleoside such as any of those set forth above.
[0206] In some aspects, the polynucleotide of the present disclosure (e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor) includes a combination of at least two (e.g. , 2, 3, 4 or more) of modified nucleobases. In some aspects, at least about 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99% or 100% of a type of nucleobases in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (e.g, a miR-485 inhibitor) are modified nucleobases.
(ii) Backbone modifications
[0207] In some aspects, the polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) can include any useful linkage between the nucleosides. Such linkages, including backbone modifications, that are useful in the composition of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to the following: 3'-alkylene phosphonates, 3'-amino phosphoramidate, alkene containing backbones, aminoalkylphosphoramidates, aminoalkylphosphotriesters, boranophosphates, -CH2-0-N(CH3)-CH2-, -CH2-N(CH3)-N(CH3)-CH2-, -CH2-NH-CH2-, chiral phosphonates, chiral phosphorothioates, formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones, methylene (methylimino), methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones, methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones, morpholino linkages, -N(CH3)-CH2- CH2-, oligonucleosides with heteroatom internucleoside linkage, phosphinates, phosphoramidates, phosphorodithioates, phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages, phosphorothioates, phosphotriesters, PNA, siloxane backbones, sulfamate backbones, sulfide sulfoxide and sulfone backbones, sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones, thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, and thionophosphoramidates.
Figure imgf000068_0001
[0208] In some aspects, the presence of a backbone linkage disclosed above increase the stability and resistance to degradation of a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., miR- 485 inhibitor).
[0209] In some aspects, at least about 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least
25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99% or 100% of the backbone linkages in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) are modified ( e.g all of them are phosphorothioate). [0210] In some aspects, a backbone modification that can be included in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure {i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) comprises phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) and/or phosphorothioate (PS) modification.
(iii) Sugar modifications
[0211] The modified nucleosides and nucleotides which can be incorporated into a polynucleotide of the present disclosure {i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) can be modified on the sugar of the nucleic acid. In some aspects, the sugar modification increases the affinity of the binding of a miR-485 inhibitor to miR-485 nucleic acid sequence. Incorporating affinity-enhancing nucleotide analogues in the miR-485 inhibitor, such as LNA or 2'-substituted sugars, can allow the length and/or the size of the miR-485 inhibitor to be reduced.
[0212] In some aspects, at least about 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least
25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99% or 100% of the nucleotides in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure {i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) contain sugar modifications {e.g, LNA).
[0213] In some aspects, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22 nucleotide units in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure are sugar modified {e.g, LNA).
[0214] Generally, RNA includes the sugar group ribose, which is a 5-membered ring having an oxygen. Exemplary, non-limiting modified nucleotides include replacement of the oxygen in ribose {e.g, with S, Se, or alkylene, such as methylene or ethylene); addition of a double bond {e.g, to replace ribose with cyclopentenyl or cyclohexenyl); ring contraction of ribose {e.g, to form a 4-membered ring of cyclobutane or oxetane); ring expansion of ribose {e.g, to form a 6- or 7-membered ring having an additional carbon or heteroatom, such as for anhydrohexitol, altritol, mannitol, cyclohexanyl, cyclohexenyl, and morpholino that also has a phosphoramidate backbone); multi cyclic forms {e.g, tricyclo; and "unlocked" forms, such as glycol nucleic acid (GNA) {e.g, R-GNA or S-GNA, where ribose is replaced by glycol units attached to phosphodiester bonds), threose nucleic acid (TNA, where ribose is replace with a- L-threofuranosyl-(3' 2')) , and peptide nucleic acid (PNA, where 2-amino-ethyl-glycine linkages replace the ribose and phosphodiester backbone). The sugar group can also contain one or more carbons that possess the opposite stereochemical configuration than that of the corresponding carbon in ribose. Thus, a polynucleotide molecule can include nucleotides containing, e.g., arabinose, as the sugar.
[0215] The 2' hydroxyl group (OH) of ribose can be modified or replaced with a number of different substituents. Exemplary substitutions at the 2'-position include, but are not limited to, H, halo, optionally substituted Ci-6 alkyl; optionally substituted Ci-6 alkoxy; optionally substituted C6-10 aryloxy; optionally substituted C3-8 cycloalkyl; optionally substituted C3-8 cycloalkoxy; optionally substituted C6-10 aryloxy; optionally substituted C6-10 aryl-Ci-6 alkoxy, optionally substituted Ci-12 (heterocyclyl)oxy; a sugar (e.g, ribose, pentose, or any described herein); a polyethyleneglycol (PEG), -0(CH2CH20)nCH2CH20R, where R is H or optionally substituted alkyl, and n is an integer from 0 to 20 (e.g, from 0 to 4, from 0 to 8, from 0 to 10, from 0 to 16, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 8, from 1 to 10, from 1 to 16, from 1 to 20, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 8, from 2 to 10, from 2 to 16, from 2 to 20, from 4 to 8, from 4 to 10, from 4 to 16, and from 4 to 20); "locked" nucleic acids (LNA) in which the 2'-hydroxyl is connected by a Ci-6 alkylene or Ci-6 heteroalkylene bridge to the 4'-carbon of the same ribose sugar, where exemplary bridges include methylene, propylene, ether, amino bridges, aminoalkyl, aminoalkoxy, amino, and amino acid.
[0216] In some aspects, nucleotide analogues present in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., mir-485 inhibitor) comprise, e.g, 2'-0-alkyl-RNA units, 2'-OMe-RNA units, 2'-0-alkyl-SNA, 2'-amino-DNA units, 2'-fluoro-DNA units, LNA units, arabino nucleic acid (ANA) units, 2'-fluoro-ANA units, HNA units, INA (intercalating nucleic acid) units, 2'MOE units, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the LNA is, e.g, oxy-LNA (such as beta- D-oxy-LNA, or alpha-L-oxy-LNA), amino-LNA (such as beta-D-amino-LNA or alpha-L- amino-LNA), thio-LNA (such as beta-D-thioO-LNA or alpha-L-thio-LNA), ENA (such a beta- D-ENA or alpha-L-ENA), or any combination thereof. In further aspects, nucleotide analogues that can be included in a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) comprises a locked nucleic acid (LNA), an unlocked nucleic acid (UNA), an arabino nucleic acid (ABA), a bridged nucleic acid (BNA), and/or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA).
[0217] In some aspects, a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) can comprise both modified RNA nucleotide analogues (e.g, LNA) and DNA units. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is a gapmer. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,404,649; 8,580,756; 8,163,708; 9,034,837; all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor is a micromir. See U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. US20180201928, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0218] In some aspects, a polynucleotide of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) can include modifications to prevent rapid degradation by endo- and exo-nucleases. Modifications include, but are not limited to, for example, (a) end modifications, e.g., 5' end modifications (phosphorylation, dephosphorylation, conjugation, inverted linkages, etc.), 3' end modifications (conjugation, DNA nucleotides, inverted linkages, etc.), (b) base modifications, e.g., replacement with modified bases, stabilizing bases, destabilizing bases, or bases that base pair with an expanded repertoire of partners, or conjugated bases, (c) sugar modifications (e.g., at the 2' position or 4' position) or replacement of the sugar, as well as (d) intemucleoside linkage modifications, including modification or replacement of the phosphodiester linkages.
IV Vectors and Delivery Systems
[0219] In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitors of the present disclosure can be administered, e.g., to a subject suffering from a disease or condition associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity, using any relevant delivery system known in the art. In certain aspects, the delivery system is a vector. Accordingly, in some aspects, the present disclosure provides a vector comprising a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure.
[0220] In some aspects, the vector is viral vector. In some aspects, the viral vector is an adenoviral vector or an adenoassociated viral vector. In certain aspects, the viral vector is an AAV that has a serotype of AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAV10, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the adenoviral vector is a third generation adenoviral vector. ADEASY™ is by far the most popular method for creating adenoviral vector constructs. The system consists of two types of plasmids: shuttle (or transfer) vectors and adenoviral vectors. The transgene of interest is cloned into the shuttle vector, verified, and linearized with the restriction enzyme Pm el. This construct is then transformed into ADEASIER-1 cells, which are BJ5183 E. coli cells containing P ADEASY™. P ADEASY™ is a ~33Kb adenoviral plasmid containing the adenoviral genes necessary for vims production. The shuttle vector and the adenoviral plasmid have matching left and right homology arms which facilitate homologous recombination of the transgene into the adenoviral plasmid. One can also co-transform standard BJ5183 with supercoil ed P ADEASY™ and the shuttle vector, but this method results in a higher background of non-recombinant adenoviral plasmids. Recombinant adenoviral plasmids are then verified for size and proper restriction digest patterns to determine that the transgene has been inserted into the adenoviral plasmid, and that other patterns of recombination have not occurred. Once verified, the recombinant plasmid is linearized with Pad to create a linear dsDNA construct flanked by ITRs. 293 or 911 cells are transfected with the linearized construct, and virus can be harvested about 7-10 days later. In addition to this method, other methods for creating adenoviral vector constructs known in the art at the time the present application was filed can be used to practice the methods disclosed herein.
[0221] In some aspects, the viral vector is a retroviral vector, e.g., a lentiviral vector (e.g., a third or fourth generation lentiviral vector). Lentiviral vectors are usually created in a transient transfection system in which a cell line is transfected with three separate plasmid expression systems. These include the transfer vector plasmid (portions of the HIV provirus), the packaging plasmid or construct, and a plasmid with the heterologous envelop gene (env) of a different virus. The three plasmid components of the vector are put into a packaging cell which is then inserted into the HIV shell. The virus portions of the vector contain insert sequences so that the virus cannot replicate inside the cell system. Current third generation lentiviral vectors encode only three of the nine HIV-1 proteins (Gag, Pol, Rev), which are expressed from separate plasmids to avoid recombination-mediated generation of a replication- competent virus. In fourth generation lentiviral vectors, the retroviral genome has been further reduced (see, e.g., TAKARA® LENTI-X™ fourth-generation packaging systems).
[0222] Any AAV vector known in the art can be used in the methods disclosed herein. The
AAV vector can comprise a known vector or can comprise a variant, fragment, or fusion thereof. In some aspects, the AAV vector is selected from the group consisting of AAV type 1 (AAV1), AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, bovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof.
[0223] In some aspects, the AAV vector is derived from an AAV vector selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof. [0224] In some aspects, the AAV vector is a chimeric vector derived from at least two
AAV vectors selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof.
[0225] In certain aspects, the AAV vector comprises regions of at least two different AAV vectors known in the art.
[0226] In some aspects, the AAV vector comprises an inverted terminal repeat from a first
AAV (e.g., AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, or any derivative thereof) and a second inverted terminal repeat from a second AAV (e.g., AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, or any derivative thereof).
[0227] In some aspects, the AVV vector comprises a portion of an AAV vector selected from the group consisting of AAV1, AAV2, AAV3A, AVV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AVV9, AVV 10, AVV11, AVV 12, AVV13, AAVrh.74, avian AAV, bovine AAV, canine AAV, equine AAV, goat AVV, primate AAV, non-primate AAV, ovine AAV, shrimp AVV, snake AVV, and any combination thereof. In some aspects, the AAV vector comprises AAV2.
[0228] In some aspects, the AVV vector comprises a splice acceptor site. In some aspects, the AVV vector comprises a promoter. Any promoter known in the art can be used in the AAV vector of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the promoter is an RNA Pol III promoter. In some aspects, the RNA Pol III promoter is selected from the group consisting of the U6 promoter, the HI promoter, the 7SK promoter, the 5S promoter, the adenovirus 2 (Ad2) VAI promoter, and any combination thereof. In some aspects, the promoter is a cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene (CMV) promoter, an EFla promoter, an SV40 promoter, a PGK1 promoter, a Ubc promoter, a human beta actin promoter, a CAG promoter, a TRE promoter, a UAS promoter, a Ac5 promoter, a polyhedrin promoter, a CaMKIIa promoter, a GALl promoter, a GAL 10 promoter, a TEF promoter, a GDS promoter, a ADH1 promoter, a CaMV35S promoter, or a Ubi promoter. In a specific aspect, the promoter comprises the U6 promoter.
[0229] In some aspects, the AAV vector comprises a constitutively active promoter
(constitutive promoter). In some aspects, the constitutive promoter is selected from the group consisting of hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), adenosine deaminase, pyruvate kinase, beta-actin promoter, cytomegalovirus (CMV), simian virus ( e.g ., SV40), papilloma virus, adenovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Rous sarcoma virus, a retrovirus long terminal repeat (LTR), Murine stem cell virus (MSCV) and the thymidine kinase promoter of herpes simplex virus.
[0230] In some aspects, the promoter is an inducible promoter. In some aspects, the inducible promoter is a tissue specific promoter. In certain aspects, the tissue specific promoter drives transcription of the coding region of the AVV vector in a neuron, a glial cell, or in both a neuron and a glial cell.
[0231] In some aspects, the AVV vector comprises one or more enhancers. In some aspects, the one or more enhancer are present in the AAV alone or together with a promoter disclosed herein. In some aspects, the AAV vector comprises a 3'UTR poly(A) tail sequence. In some aspects, the 3'UTR poly(A) tail sequence is selected from the group consisting of bGH poly(A), actin poly(A), hemoglobin poly(A), and any combination thereof. In some aspects, the 3'UTR poly(A) tail sequence comprises bGH poly(A).
[0232] In some aspects, a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein is administered with a delivery agent. Non-limiting examples of delivery agents that can be used include an exosome, a lipidoid, a liposome, a lipoplex, a lipid nanoparticle, an extracellular vesicle, a synthetic vesicle, a polymeric compound, a peptide, a protein, a cell, a nanoparticle mimic, a nanotube, a micelle, a viral vector, or a conjugate.
[0233] Thus, in some aspects, the present disclosure also provides a composition comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) and a delivery agent. In some aspects, the delivery agent comprises a carrier unit, e.g., that can self-assemble into micelles or be incorporated into micelles. In some aspects, the delivery agent comprises a cationic carrier unit comprising
[WP] -L 1 - [CC] -L2- [ AM] (formula I) or
[WP]-L1-[AM]-L2-[CC] (formula II) wherein WP is a water-soluble biopolymer moiety; CC is a positively charged (i.e., cationic) carrier moiety; AM is an adjuvant moiety; and, L1 and L2 are independently optional linkers, and wherein when mixed with a nucleic acid at an ionic ratio of about 1:1, the cationic carrier unit forms a micelle. Accordingly, in some aspects, the miRNA inhibitor and the cationic carrier unit are capable of associating with each other (e.g., via a covalent bond or a non-valent bond) to form a micelle when mixed together. [0234] In some aspects, composition comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) interacts with the cationic carrier unit via an ionic bond. [0235] In some aspects, the water-soluble polymer comprises poly(alkylene glycols), poly(oxyethylated polyol), poly(olefinic alcohol), poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylamide), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylate), poly(saccharides), poly(α-hydroxy acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polyphosphazene, polyoxazolines ("POZ") poly(N-acryloylmorpholine), or any combinations thereof. In some aspects, the water- soluble polymer comprises polyethylene glycol ("PEG"), polyglycerol, or poly(propylene glycol) ("PPG"). In some aspects, the water-soluble polymer comprises:
Figure imgf000075_0001
, (formula III), wherein n is 1-1000. [0236] In some aspects, the n is at least about 110, at least about 111, at least about 112, at least about 113, at least about 114, at least about 115, at least about 116, at least about 117, at least about 118, at least about 119, at least about 120, at least about 121, at least about 122, at least about 123, at least about 124, at least about 125, at least about 126, at least about 127, at least about 128, at least about 129, at least about 130, at least about 131, at least about 132, at least about 133, at least about 134, at least about 135, at least about 136, at least about 137, at least about 138, at least about 139, at least about 140, or at least about 141. In some aspects, the n is about 80 to about 90, about 90 to about 100, about 100 to about 110, about 110 to about 120, about 120 to about 130, about 140 to about 150, about 150 to about 160. [0237] In some aspects, the water-soluble polymer is linear, branched, or dendritic. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises one or more basic amino acids. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine, at least ten, at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at last 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, at least 24, at least 25, at least 26, at least 27, at least 28, at least 29, at least 30, at least 31, at least 32, at least 33, at least 34, at least 35, at least 36, at least 37, at least 38, at least 39, at least 40, at least 41, at least 42, at least 43, at least 44, at least 45, at least 46, at least 47, at least 48, at least 49, or at least 50 basic amino acids. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 30 to about 50 basic amino acids. In some aspects, the basic amino acid comprises arginine, lysine, histidine, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 40 lysine monomers.
[0238] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety is capable of modulating an immune response, an inflammatory response, and/or a tissue microenvironment. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises an imidazole derivative, an amino acid, a vitamin, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises:
Figure imgf000076_0001
(formula IV), wherein each of G1 and G2 is H, an aromatic ring, or 1-10 alkyl, or G1 and G2 together form an aromatic ring, and wherein n is 1-10.
[0239] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises nitroimidazole. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises metronidazole, tinidazole, nimorazole, dimetridazole, pretomanid, omidazole, megazol, azanidazole, benznidazole, or any combination thereof. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises an amino acid.
[0240] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises
Figure imgf000076_0002
(formula V), wherein Ar is
Figure imgf000077_0001
wherein each of Z1 and Z2 is H or OH.
[0241] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises a vitamin. In some aspects, the vitamin comprises a cyclic ring or cyclic hetero atom ring and a carboxyl group or hydroxyl group. In some aspects, the vitamin comprises:
Figure imgf000077_0002
wherein each of Y1 and Y2 is C, N, O, or S, and wherein n is 1 or 2.
[0242] In some aspects, the vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin B 1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin M, vitamin H, and any combination thereof. In some aspects, the vitamin is vitamin B3.
[0243] In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises at least about two, at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at least about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, or at least about 20 vitamin B3. In some aspects, the adjuvant moiety comprises about 10 vitamin B3.
[0244] In some aspects, the composition comprises a water-soluble biopolymer moiety with about 120 to about 130 PEG units, a cationic carrier moiety comprising a poly-lysine with about 30 to about 40 lysines, and an adjuvant moiety with about 5 to about 10 vitamin B3.
[0245] In some aspects, the composition comprises (i) a water-soluble biopolymer moiety with about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines with an amine group (e.g., about 32 lysines), (iii) about 15 to 20 lysines, each having a thiol group (e.g., about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group), and (iv) about 30 to 40 lysines fused to vitamin B3 (e.g., about 32 lysines, each fused to vitamin B3). In some aspects, the composition further comprises a targeting moiety, e.g., a LAT1 targeting ligand, e.g., phenyl alanine, linked to the water soluble polymer. In some aspects, the thiol groups in the composition form disulfide bonds. [0246] In some aspects, the composition comprises (1) a micelle comprising (i) about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines with an amine group (e.g., about 32 lysines), (iii) about 15 to 20 lysines, each having a thiol group (e.g., about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group), and (iv) about 30 to 40 lysines fused to vitamin B3 (e.g., about 32 lysines, each fused to vitamin B3), and (2) a miR485 inhibitor (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30), wherein the miR485 inhibitor is encapsulated within the micelle. In some aspects, the composition further comprises a targeting moiety, e.g., a LAT1 targeting ligand, e.g., phenyl alanine, linked to the PEG units. In some aspects, the thiol groups in the micelle form disulfide bonds.
[0247] The present disclosure also provides a micelle comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor, e.g., SEQ ID NO: 30) wherein the miRNA inhibitor and the deliver}' agent are associated with each other.
[0248] In some aspects, the association is a covalent bond, a non-covalent bond, or an ionic bond. In some aspects, the positive charge of the cationic carrier moiety of the cationic carrier unit is sufficient to form a micelle when mixed with the miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein in a solution, wherein the overall ionic ratio of the positive charges of the cationic carrier moiety of the cationic carrier unit and the negative charges of the miR-485 inhibitor (or vector comprising the inhibitor) in the solution is about 1: 1.
[0249] In some aspects, the cationic carrier unit is capable of protecting the miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (i.e., miR-485 inhibitor) from enzymatic degradation. See PCT Publication No. WO2020/261227, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
V. Pharmaceutical compositions
[0250] In some aspects, the present disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a miR-485 inhibitor disclosed herein (e.g., a polynucleotide or a vector comprising the miR-485 inhibitor) that are suitable for administration to a subject. The pharmaceutical compositions generally comprise a miR-485 inhibitor described herein (e.g, a polynucleotide or a vector) and a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient or carrier in a form suitable for administration to a subject. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers are determined in part by the particular composition being administered, as well as by the particular method used to administer the composition.
[0251] Accordingly, there is a wide variety of suitable formulations of pharmaceutical compositions comprising a miR-485 inhibitor of the present disclosure. (See, e.g, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. 18th ed. (1990)). The pharmaceutical compositions are generally formulated sterile and in full compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
VI. Kits
[0252] The present disclosure also provides kits or products of manufacture, comprising a miRNA inhibitor of the present disclosure (e.g., a polynucleotide, vector, or pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein) and optionally instructions for use, e.g., instructions for use according to the methods disclosed herein. In some aspects, the kit or product of manufacture comprises a miR-485 inhibitor (e.g., vector, e.g, an AAV vector, a polynucleotide, or a pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure) in one or more containers. In some aspects, the kit or product of manufacture comprises miR-485 inhibitor (e.g, a vector, e.g, an AAV vector, a polynucleotide, or a pharmaceutical composition of the present disclosure) and a brochure. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that miR-485 inhibitors disclosed herein (e.g, vectors, polynucleotides, and pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure, or combinations thereof) can be readily incorporated into one of the established kit formats which are well known in the art.
[0253] The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
Examples
Example 1: Preparation of miR-485 Inhibitor
[0254] (a) Synthesis of alkyne modified tyrosine: An alkyne modified tyrosine was generated as an intermediate for the synthesis of a tissue specific targeting moiety (TM, see FIG. 1) of a cationic carrier unit to direct micelles of the present disclosure to the LAT1 transporter in the BBB.
[0255] A mixture of N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-tyrosine methyl ester (Boc-Tyr-OMe)
(0.5g, 1.69 mmol) and K2CO3 (1.5 equiv., 2.54 mmol) in acetonitrile (4.0 ml) was added drop by drop to propargyl bromide (1.2 equiv., 2.03 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated at 60 °C overnight. After the reaction, the reaction mixture was extracted using water: ethyl acetate (EA). Then, the organic layer was washed using a brine solution. The crude material was purified by flash column (EA in hexane 10%). Next, the resulting product was dissolved in 1,4- dioxane (1.0 ml) and 6.0 M HC1 (1.0 ml). The reaction mixture was heated at 100 °C overnight. Next, the dioxane was removed and extracted by EA. Aqueous NaOH (0.5 M) solution was added to the mixture until the pH value become 7. The reactant was concentrated by evaporator and centrifuged at 12,000 rpm at 0°C. The precipitate was washed with deionized water and lyophilized.
[0256] (b) Synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)-ft-poly(L-lysine) (PEG-PLL): This synthesis step generated the water-soluble biopolymer (WP) and cationic carrier (CC) of a cationic carrier unit of the present disclosure (see FIG. 1).
[0257] Poly(ethylene glycol)-^-poly(L-lysine) was synthesized by ring opening polymerization of Lys(TFA)-NCA with monomethoxy PEG (MeO-PEG) as a macroinitiator. In brief, MeO-PEG (600 mg, 0.12 mmol) and Lys(TFA)-NCA (2574 mg, 9.6 mmol) were separately dissolved in DMF containing 1M thiourea and DMF(or NMP). Lys(TFA)-NCA solution was dropped into the MeO-PEG solution by micro syringe and the reaction mixture was stirred at 37 °C for 4 days. The reaction bottles were purged with argon and vacuum. All reactions were conducted in argon atmosphere. After the reaction, the mixture was precipitated into an excess amount of diethyl ether. The precipitate was re-dissolved in methanol and precipitated again into cold diethyl ether. Then it was filtered and white powder was obtained after drying in vacuo. For the deprotection of TFA group in PEG-PLL(TFA), the next step was followed.
[0258] MeO-PEG-PLL(TFA) (500 mg) was dissolved in methanol (60 mL) and IN NaOH
(6 mL) was dropped into the polymer solution with stirring. The mixture was maintained for 1 day with stirring at 37°C. The reaction mixture was dialyzed against 10 mM HEPES for 4 times and distilled water. White powder of PEG-PLL was obtained after lyophilization.
[0259] (b) Synthesis of azido-poly(ethylene glycol)-ft-poly(L-lysine) (N3-PEG-PLL):
This synthesis step generated the water-soluble biopolymer (WP) and cationic carrier (CC) of a cationic carrier unit of the present disclosure (see FIG. 1).
[0260] Azido-poly(ethylene glycol)-6-poly(L-lysine) was synthesized by ring opening polymerization of Lys(TFA)-NCA with azido- PEG (N3-PEG). In brief, N3-PEG (300 mg, 0.06 mmol) and Lys(TFA)-NCA (1287 mg, 4.8 mmol) were separately dissolved in DMF containing 1M thiourea and DMF(or NMP). Lys(TFA)-NCA solution was dropped into the N3-PEG solution by micro syringe and the reaction mixture was stirred at 37 °C for 4 days. The reaction bottles were purged with argon and vacuum. All reactions were conducted in argon atmosphere. After the reaction, the mixture was precipitated into an excess amount of diethyl ether. The precipitate was re-dissolved in methanol and precipitated again into cold diethyl ether. Then it was filtered and white powder was obtained after drying in vacuo. For the deprotection of TFA group in PEG-PLL(TFA), the next step was followed.
[0261] N3-PEG-PLL (500 mg) was dissolved in methanol (60 mL) and IN NaOH (6 mL) was dropped into the polymer solution with stirring. The mixture was maintained for 1 day with stirring at 37°C. The reaction mixture was dialyzed against 10 mM HEPES for 4 times and distilled water. White powder of N3-PEG-PLL was obtained after lyophilization.
[0262] (c) Synthesis of (methoxy or) azido-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L- lysine/nicotinamide/mercaptopropanamide) (N3-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH)): In this step, the tissue-specific adjuvant moieties (AM, see FIG. 1) were attached to the WP-CC component of a cationic carrier unit of the present disclosure. The tissue-specific adjuvant moiety (AM) used in the cationic carrier unit was nicotinamide (vitamin B3). This step would yield the WP-CC- AM components of the cationic carrier unit depicted in FIG. 1.
[0263] Azido-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lysine/nicotinamide/mercaptopropanamide)
(N3-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH)) was synthesized by chemical modification of N3-PEG-PLL and nicotinic acid in the presence of EDC/NHS. N3-PEG-PLL (372 mg, 25.8 pmol) and nicotinic acid (556.7 mg, 1.02 equiv. to NH2 of PEG-PLL) were separately dissolved in mixture of deionized water and methanol (1:1). EDOHC1 (556.7 mg, 1.5 equiv. to Fh of N3-PEG-PLL) was added into nicotinic acid solution and NHS (334.2 mg, 1.5 equiv. to NH2 of PEG-PLL) stepwise added into the mixture.
[0264] The reaction mixture was added into the N3-PEG-PLL solution. The reaction mixture was maintained at 37 °C for 16 hours with stirring. After 16 hours, 3,3’- dithiodiproponic acid (36.8 mg, 0.1 equiv.) was dissolved in methanol, EDOHC1 (40.3 mg, 0.15 equiv.), and NHS (24.2 mg, 0.15 equiv.) were dissolved each in deionized water. Then, NHS and EDOHC1 were added sequentially into 3,3’-dithiodiproponic acid solution. The mixture solution was stirred for 4 hours at 37 °C after adding crude N3-PEG-PLL(Nic) solution.
[0265] For purification, the mixture was dialyzed against methanol for 2 hours, added DL- dithiothreitol (DTT, 40.6 mg, 0.15 equiv.), then activated for 30 min.
[0266] For removing the DTT, the mixture was dialyzed sequentially methanol, 50 % methanol in deionized water, deionized water. [0267] d) Synthesis of Phenyl alanine-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L- lysine/nicotinamide/mercaptopropanamide) (Phe-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH)): In this step, the tissue-specific targeting moiety (TM) was attached to the WP-CC-AM component synthesized in the previous step. The TM component (phenyl alanine) was generated by reaction of the intermediate generated in step (a) with the product of step (c).
[0268] To target brain endothelial tissue in blood vessels, as a LAT1 targeting amino acid, phenyl alanine was introduced by click reaction between N3-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH) and alkyne modified tyrosine in the presence of copper catalyst In brief, N3-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH) (130 mg, 6.5 pmol) and alkyne modified phenyl alanine (5.7 mg, 4.0 equiv.) were dissolved in deionized water (or 50 mM sodium phosphate buffer). Then, CuS04*H20 (0.4 mg, 25 mol%) and Tris(3- hydroxypropyltriazolylmethyl)amine (THPTA, 3.4 mg, 1.2 equiv.) were dissolved deionized water and added N3-PEG-PLL(Nic/SH) solution. Then, sodium ascorbate (3.2 mg, 2.5 equiv.) were added into the mixture solution. The reaction mixture was maintained with stirring for 16 hours at room temperature. After the reaction, the mixture was transferred into dialysis membranes (MWCO = 7,000) and dialyzed against deionized water for 1 day. The final product was obtained after lyophilization.
[0269] (e) Polyion Complex (PIC) micelle preparation - Once the cationic carrier units of the present disclosure were generated as described above, micelles were produced. The micelles described in the present example comprised cationic carrier units combined with an antisense oligonucleotide payload.
[0270] Nano sized PIC micelles were prepared by mixing MeO- or Phe-PEG-PLL(Nic) and miRNA. PEG-PLL(Nic) was dissolved in HEPES buffer (10 mM) at 0.5 mg/mL concentration. Then a miRNA solution (22.5 mM) in RNAse free water was mixed with the polymer solution at 2:1 (v/v) ratio of miRNA inhibitor (SEQ ID NOs: 2-30) ( e.g ., AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC; SEQ ID NO: 30) to polymer.
[0271] The mixing ratio of polymer to anti-miRNA was determined by optimizing micelle forming conditions, i.e., ratio between amine in polymer (carrier of the present disclosure) to phosphate in anti-miRNA (payload). The mixture of polymer (carrier) and anti-miRNA (payload) was vigorously mixed for 90 seconds by multi -vortex at 3000 rpm, and kept at room temperature for 30 min to stabilize the micelles.
[0272] Micelles (10 pM of Anti-miRNA concentration) were stored at 4 °C prior to use.
MeO- or Phe- micelles were prepared using the same method, and different amounts of Phe- containing micelles (25% -75%) were also prepared by mixing both polymers during micelle preparation.
Example 2: Analysis of the Therapeutic Effects of miR-485 Inhibitors
[0273] To assess whether the miR-485 inhibitors described herein can exert therapeutic effects in vivo , an animal model of a disease associated with abnormal inflammasome activity ( e.g ., cardiac disease, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, and/or neurological disease) will be used. The animals will be treated with either PBS or a miR-485 inhibitor. In some aspects, the miR-485 inhibitor will be administered to the animals at varying doses, dosing intervals, and/or routes of administration. The therapeutic effects of the miR-485 inhibitor will be assessed, e.g., by measuring the amount of inflammation in the animals and/or observing various clinical signs and/or pathology associated with the disease. In some aspects, the expression of one or more genes (or proteins encoded thereof) associated with inflammasomes (e.g, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, NLRP6, NLRP12, AIM2, IFI16, pyrin, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-Ib, IL-10, IL-1, IL-18 or Caspase-1) will also be assessed in the animals.
Example 3: Analysis of the Effect of miR-485 Inhibitor on Increased Inflammasome
Associated Cytokine Levels in the Brain
[0274] To assess whether the miR-485 inhibitors described herein can reduce one or more genes (or proteins encoded thereof) associated with inflammasomes induced by LPS or Ab oligomers (Abqb) in the brain, LPS and/or AbOs-treated mice and primary microglia were treated with miR-485 inhibitor. As further described herein, miR-485 inhibitor was administered with or without a delivery agent. The reagents used were as follows: LPS from Escherichia coli 011LB4 (L4391) from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA); b-amyloid (1- 42) (AS-64129-1) from AnaSpec (Fremont, CA, USA).
[0275] C57BL/6 mice were treated with IP injection of LPS. miR-485 inhibitor was administered (with or without a delivery agent) by intracerebroventricular injection (i.c.v. injection) to mice 6 days before treatment with LPS. 24 hours post-treatment with LPS, mice were euthanized and the brain was extracted from the skull. Extracted brains were rinsed in cold PBS to remove excess blood. The brain was cut into two halves, then posterior parts and olfactory bulb were cut off. After removing the tissue covering the medial surface of hippocampi, hippocampi was separated from cerebral cortex. Subsequently, the remaining internal structures were removed to isolate cerebral cortex. [0276] Production of IL-6, TNFa and IL-Ib were assessed in tissue homogenates. Briefly, frozen cortex and hippocampus were incubated in ice-cold lysis buffer with PMSF for 30 min and then sonicated 3 c 15 s with a 2-min interval between each sonication in ice-cold lysis buffer. Samples were centrifuged at 14,000xg at 4 °C for 20 min to remove any insoluble materials, including nuclei and large debris, and the cytosolic protein concentration in supernatants was determined by protein assay. Samples were then assessed in ELISA kits according to the manufacturer’s protocol. ELISA kits for mouse IL-6 (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA), TNF-a (R&D Systems), IL-10 (R&D Systems) and IL-Ib (R&D Systems) were used to measure cytokines according to the manufacturer’s instruction. The concentration (pg/ml) of cytokines was normalized to total protein content (pg/mg of protein). The levels of inflammasome associated cytokines IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib were measured in cortical (FIG. 2A-C) and hippocampal (FIG. 2D-F) homogenates by ELISA. In both brain homogenates, treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced the levels of IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib.
[0277] Next, to determine the effect of miR-485 inhibition on microglial production of inflammasome cytokines, primary microglia and astrocytes were obtained from C57BL/6N mice at postnatal day 1-2 as previously described (Tamashiro et ak, 2012; Schildge et al., 2013), and cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM; Hyclone, Logan, UT, USA) added with 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (HI-FBS; Hyclone) and 1% penicillin- streptomycin (Gibco). Pregnant C57BL/6N mice for primary cell culture were provided by KOATECH (Pyeongtaek, Korea). All animal procedures were performed according to the Konyang University guidelines for animal care (Permit number: P-18-18-A-01). Whole brains were dissected with sterile scissors in serum-free medium and incubated with trypsin-EDTA (0.25%) solution for 3-5 min in a C02 incubator at 37 °C. The medium was added to the same amount of trypsin-EDTA for trypsin inactivation, and the brains were homogenized by pipetting. The homogenized cells were filtered through a 70-pm pore mesh, filled with serum- free media at a total volume of 5 mL per brain, and centrifuged at 1,500 rpm for 10 min. Cells were seeded in 100-mm dishes per 1.5 brains. After 4-6 days of plating, the medium was changed with new medium. Two days after, half of the medium was changed with fresh medium every 2-3 days. After 12-14 of plating, primary microglia were isolated by hand tapping for seeding. After removing the microglia, 5 mL of the fresh medium was added, and shaking was continued to remove oligodendrocyte precursor cells. After isolation using trypsin-EDTA, primary astrocytes were seeded in 100-mm dishes. The separation of specific microglia and astrocytes was confirmed by immunostaining with anti-Iba-1 and anti-GFAP antibodies as markers, respectively.
[0278] Isolated primary microglia were cultured and treated with LPS and miR-485 inhibitor (without a delivery agent). After 24 hours, supernatants were collected and ELISA was performed to quantify the levels of IL-6 and TNF-a (FIG. 2G). In some samples, LPS and miR-485 inhibitor treated primary microglia were stimulated with ATP 1 hour before supernatants were collected and the level of IL-Ib was measured by ELISA (FIG. 2H). Supernatants of primary microglia treated with miR-485 inhibitor exhibited reduced levels of IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib.
[0279] Isolated primary microglia were also cultured and treated with Abqb and miR-485 inhibitor (without a delivery agent). As above, after 24 hours, supernatants were collected and ELISA was performed to quantify the levels of IL-6 and TNF-a (FIG. 21). In some samples, primary microglia were stimulated with LPS in addition to treatment with Abqb and miR-485 inhibitor and supernatants were collected and the level of IL-Ib was measured by ELISA (FIG. 2J). Supernatants of primary microglia treated with miR-485 inhibitor exhibited reduced levels of IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib.
[0280] Taken together, these results demonstrate that the miR-485 inhibitors described herein reduce increased inflammasome associated cytokines in the brain and can treat neurological diseases by regulating brain microglia activation.
Example 4: Analysis of the Effect of miR-485 Inhibitors on NLRP3 Inflammasome
Activation
[0281] To assess whether the miR-485 inhibitors described herein can reduce NLRP3 inflammasome activation, primary microglia were isolated and stimulated with LPS and/or Abqb or ATP and treated with miR-485 inhibitor (without a delivery agent) as described above. After treatment, protein levels of IL-Ib, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 were measured by Western blot. Cell lysis was performed in RIPA buffer (iNtRON Biotechnology, Seongnam, Korea) with protease inhibitor cocktail (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), phosphatase inhibitor cocktail 2 (Sigma-Aldrich, P5726), and phosphatase inhibitor cocktail 3 (Sigma-Aldrich, P0044) and centrifuged at 4 °C for 15 min at 13,000 rpm. The concentration of the supernatant was measured using DC protein assay reagents (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). Proteins were then separated in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes (Millipore, Burling-ton, MA, USA). The membranes were incubated with the appropriate primary antibodies. Species-specific horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated secondary antibodies were used to detect the bound antibodies. The protein bands of interest were analyzed using chemiluminescence detection. The antibodies used are as follows: b-actin (sc-47778) from Santa Cruz Biotechnology; IL-Ib (ab9722), from Abeam (Cambridge ,UK); NLRP3 (AG-20B-0014-C100) and caspase-1 (AG- 20B-0042-C100) from AdipoGen Life Sciences (San Diego, CA, USA). Treatment with miR- 485 inhibitor reduced the relative protein level of IL-Ib, NLRP3 and caspase-1 in primary microglia stimulated with LPS and ATP (FIG. 3 A), as well as in primary microglia stimulated with LPS and AβOs (FIG. 3B).
[0282] To determine the caspase- 1 activity level of primary microglia in different treatment groups, caspase-1 Bioluminescence assays were performed. Treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced Caspase-1 activity in both LPS+ATP (FIG. 3C) and LPS+AβOs (FIG. 3D) stimulated primary microglia.
[0283] Collectively, the above results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of the miR-485 inhibitors described herein, suggesting that they would be suitable for the treatment of various diseases and disorders described herein ( e.g ., neurological diseases, cardiac diseases, kidney diseases, and autoimmune diseases) via anti-inflammatory effect.
Example 5: Analysis of the Effect of miR-485 Inhibitors on Inflammasome Associated Cytokine Expression in the Blood and Peritoneal Macrophages
[0284] To assess whether the miR-485 inhibitors described herein can reduce the expression of inflammasome associated cytokines in tissues other than the brain, C57BL/6N mice were IP injected with LPS and mice in the treatment group were administered miR-485 inhibitor (with a delivery agent) via IV injection one day before LPS injection. Subsequently, samples of blood serum and peritoneal macrophages were collected to assess the level of inflammasome associated cytokine expression.
[0285] The levels of IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib were measured in the blood of the mice by
ELISA, as described above (FIGs. 4A-C). Mice treated with miR-485 inhibitor exhibited reduced IL-6, TNF-a and IL-Ib levels in their blood.
[0286] The mRNA levels of P-6, Tnf, 11-10, Nlrp3, II- 1, and 11-18 in peritoneal macrophages were measured by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR). Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from peritoneum of 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice. Four days after IP injection of 3% Brewer thioglycolate medium, a needle filled with cold PBS was inserted through peritoneal wall into each anesthetized mice and peritoneal fluid was withdrawn slowly. Cell pellets were harvested after centrifugation. Subsequently, total RNA was isolated using the small and large RNA kit (Macherey-Nagel, Allentown, PA, USA) and QIAzol lysis reagent (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). miScript II RT Kit (Qiagen) was used for cDNA synthesis for miRNA detection and quantification. The reverse-transcribed product was subjected to qRT-PCR using TaqMan™ miRNA assay (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) and primers. TOPscript™ RT DryMIX (Enzynomics, Daejeon, Korea) was used for cDNA synthesis for mRNA detection and quantification. The reverse-transcribed product was subjected to qRT- PCR using TOPrealTM qPCR 2 x PreMIX, SYBR Green (Enzynomics), and primers. PCR primers were commercially synthesized (Bioneer, Daejeon, Korea). A 50-cycle amplification was applied for all primers using the CFX96 Real-Time System (Bio-Rad). The normalization was performed using GAPDH as the reference gene. Treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced the expression of 11-6, Tnf, 11-10, Nlrp3, II- 1, and 11-18 in peritoneal macrophages (FIGs. 4D- E).
[0287] Collectively, the above results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of the miR-485 inhibitors described herein, suggesting that they would be suitable for the treatment of cardiac diseases and kidney diseases via anti-inflammatory effect.
Example 6: Analysis of the Effect of miR-485 Inhibitors on Inflammasome Associated Cytokine Expression in Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages
[0288] To further assess whether the miR-485 inhibitors described herein can reduce the expression of inflammasome associated cytokines in other tissues, C57BL/6N mice were treated with LPS and miR-485 inhibitor (with a delivery agent) as described above and the expression of inflammasome associated cytokines was measured in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). BMDMs were obtained by flushing the femurs and tibias of 6-7 week-old mice with cold PBS to extrude bone marrow cells and were supsequently differentiated and grown in RPMI 1640 (GIBCO) medium supplemented with 10% HI-FBS and 1% penicillin-streptomycin.
[0289] The secretion of inflammasome associated cytokines was measured by ELISA, as described above. Treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced the secretion of IL-6, TNF-a, IL- 10 (FIG. 5 A), as well as, IL-Ib and IL-18 (FIG. 5B) in BMDMs. Caspase-1 activity in BMDMs was measured by Bioluminescence assay, as described above. Treatment with miR-485 inhibitor reduced the Caspase-1 activity of BMDMs (FIG. 5C).
[0290] Collectively, the above results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of the miR-485 inhibitors described herein, suggesting that they would be suitable for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis via anti-inflammatory effect.
[0291] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections can set forth one or more but not all exemplary aspects of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way.
[0292] The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.
[0293] The foregoing description of the specific aspects will so fully reveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific aspects, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed aspects, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.
[0294] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
[0295] The contents of all cited references (including literature references, patents, patent applications, and websites) that can be cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety for any purpose, as are the references cited therein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method of treating a cardiac disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor").
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardiac disease is associated with abnormal ( e.g ., increased) inflammasome activity.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cardiac disease comprises a myocardial ischemic dysfunction, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemia, postischemic damage, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac fibrosis, aneurysm, arteritis, cardiomyopathy (e.g., diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy), chronic heart failure, or combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cardiac disease is myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
5. A method of treating an autoimmune disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor").
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the autoimmune disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the autoimmune disease comprises a rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, Beh e s disease, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)- associated vasculitis, IgA vasculitis, type 1 diabetes, atopy, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, Graves' disease, or combinations thereof.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the autoimmune disease is RA.
9. A method of treating a kidney disease in a subj ect in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor").
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the kidney disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the kidney disease comprises an acute kidney disease ( e.g ., caused by poison, trauma, shock, infection, sepsis, toxin, blockage such as kidney stones, heart failure), chronic kidney disease (CKDC) (e.g., gradual loss of kidney function due to aging, genetics, blockage such as kidney stones, diabetes, infection, dental disease, immunological disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, cancer, congenial kidney malformation, congenital polycystic kidney disease), end-stage renal disease, anemia, nephritis (e.g, acute pyelonephritis, lupus nephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis), nephropathy (e.g, IgA nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, oxalate nephropathy), acute tubular necrosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, glomerular diseases, proteinuria, or combinations thereof.
12. A method of treating a neurological disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits miR-485 ("miR-485 inhibitor").
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the neurological disease is associated with abnormal (e.g, increased) inflammasome activity.
14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the neurological disease is epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, infection, autism spectrum disorder, or combinations thereof.
15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor is capable of decreasing the expression level of a gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome comprises (i) a member of the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor (NLR) family, (ii) a member of the absent in melanoma 2-like receptor (ALR) family; (iii) pyrin; (iv) IFI-16, or (v) any combination of (i)-(iv).
17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the expression level of the level of the gene and/or protein associated with an inflammasome is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%, compared to the expression level of a corresponding gene and/or protein in a reference subject (e.g, subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subject who did not receive an administration of the miR-485 inhibitor).
18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor prevents and/or reduces the formation and/or activation of an inflammasome.
19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor prevents and/or reduces inflammation.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the inflammation is decreased by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or about 100%, compared to inflammation in a reference subject ( e.g ., subject prior to the administration or a corresponding subj ect who did not receive an administration of the miR- 485 inhibitor).
21. The method of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor inhibits miR485- 3p.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the miR485-3p comprises 5'-gucauacacggcucuccucucu- 3' (SEQ ID NO: 1).
23. The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising 5'- UGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2) and wherein the miR- 485 inhibitor comprises about 6 to about 30 nucleotides in length.
24. The method of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 5' of the nucleotide sequence.
25. The method of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least 1 nucleotide, at least 2 nucleotides, at least 3 nucleotides, at least 4 nucleotides, at least 5 nucleotides, at least 6 nucleotides, at least 7 nucleotides, at least 8 nucleotides, at least 9 nucleotides, at least 10 nucleotides, at least 11 nucleotides, at least 12 nucleotides, at least 13 nucleotides, at least 14 nucleotides, at least 15 nucleotides, at least 16 nucleotides, at least 17 nucleotides, at least 18 nucleotides, at least 19 nucleotides, or at least 20 nucleotides at the 3' of the nucleotide sequence.
26. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5'-UGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 2), 5'- GUGUAUGA-3 ' ' (SEQ ID NO: 3), 5'-CGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 4), 5'- CCGUGUAUGA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 5), 5'-GCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 6), 5'- AGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 7), 5'-GAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 8), 5'- AGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 9), 5'-GAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 10), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 11), 5'-
AGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 ' 'SEQ ID NO: 12), 5'-GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 13), 5 ' - AGAGGAGAGC CGU GU AU GA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 14), 5'- GAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGA-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 15); 5'-UGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 16), 5'-GUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 17), 5'-CGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 18), 5'-CCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 19), 5'-GCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 20), 5'-AGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 21), 5'-GAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 22), 5'-AGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 23), 5'-
GAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 24), 5'-GGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 25), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 26), 5'- GAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 27), 5'-
AGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 28), 5'-
GAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 29), and 5'-
AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
27. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 5'-TGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 62), 5'-GTGTATGA- 3' (SEQ ID NO: 63), 5'-CGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 64), 5'-CCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 65), 5'-GCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 66), 5'-AGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 67), 5'-GAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 68), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 69), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 70), 5'- GGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 71), 5'-AGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 72), 5'-GAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGA-3' (SEQ ID NO: 73), 5'- AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G A- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 74), 5'-
G AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G A- 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 75); 5'-TGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 76), 5'-GTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 77), 5'-CGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 78), 5'- CCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 79), 5'-GCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 80), 5'- AGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 81), 5'-GAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 82), 5'-AGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 83), 5'-GAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 84), 5'-GGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 85), 5'- AGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 86), 5 ' -G AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G AC - 3' (SEQ ID NO: 87), 5'-AGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 88), 5'- GAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 89), and 5'-
AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G AC -3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 90).
28. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the sequence of the miR-485 inhibitor is at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% sequence identity to 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5 ' - AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G AC -3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 90).
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor has a sequence that has at least 90% similarity to 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G AC -3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 90).
30. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGTGTATGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 90) with one substitution or two substitutions.
31. The method of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30) or 5'- AG AG AGG AG AGC C GT GT AT G AC -3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 90).
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises the nucleotide sequence 5'- AGAGAGGAGAGCCGUGUAUGAC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 30).
33. The method of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises at least one modified nucleotide.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one modified nucleotide is a locked nucleic acid (LNA), an unlocked nucleic acid (UNA), an arabino nucleic acid (ABA), a bridged nucleic acid (BNA), and/or a peptide nucleic acid (PNA).
35. The method of any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor comprises a backbone modification.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the backbone modification is a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) and/or phosphorothioate (PS) modification.
37. The method of any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor is delivered in a delivery agent.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the delivery agent comprises a micelle, an exosome, a lipidoid, a liposome, a lipoplex, a lipid nanoparticle, an extracellular vesicle, a synthetic vesicle, a polymeric compound, a peptide, a protein, a cell, a nanoparticle mimic, a nanotube, a conjugate, a viral vector, or combinations thereof.
39. The method of claim 37 or 38, wherein the delivery agent comprises a cationic carrier unit comprising:
[WP]-L1-[CC]-L2-[AM] (formula I) or
[WP]-L1-[AM]-L2-[CC] (formula II), wherein
WP is a water-soluble biopolymer moiety;
CC is a cationic carrier moiety;
AM is an adjuvant moiety; and
LI and L2 are independently optional linkers.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the cationic carrier unit and the isolated polynucleotide are capable of associating with each other to form a micelle when mixed together.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the association is via a covalent bond.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the association is via a non-covalent bond.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the non-covalent bond comprises an ionic bond.
44. The method of any one of claims 39 to 43, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises poly(alkylene glycols), poly(oxyethylated polyol), poly(olefmic alcohol), polyvinylpyrrolidone), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylamide), poly(hydroxyalkylmethacrylate), poly(saccharides), poly(a-hydroxy acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyglycerol, polyphosphazene, polyoxazolines ("POZ") poly(N- acryloylmorpholine), or any combinations thereof.
45. The method of any one of claims 39 to 44, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises polyethylene glycol ("PEG"), polyglycerol, or polypropylene glycol) ("PPG").
46. The method of any one of claims 39 to 45, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises:
Figure imgf000095_0001
, (formula I), wherein n is 1-1000.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the n is at least about 110, at least about 111, at least about 112, at least about 113, at least about 114, at least about 115, at least about 116, at least about 117, at least about 118, at least about 119, at least about 120, at least about 121, at least about 122, at least about 123, at least about 124, at least about 125, at least about 126, at least about 127, at least about 128, at least about 129, at least about 130, at least about 131, at least about 132, at least about 133, at least about 134, at least about 135, at least about 136, at least about 137, at least about 138, at least about 139, at least about 140, or at least about 141.
48 The method of claim 46, wherein the n is about 80 to about 90, about 90 to about 100, about 100 to about 110, about 110 to about 120, about 120 to about 130, about 140 to about 150, or about 150 to about 160.
49. The method of any one of claims 39 to 48, wherein the water-soluble polymer is linear, branched, or dendritic.
50. The method of any one of claims 39 to 49, wherein the cationic carrier moiety comprises one or more basic amino acids.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein the cationic carrier moiety comprises at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at last about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, at least about 20, at least about 21, at least about 22, at least about 23, at least about 24, at least about 25, at least about 26, at least about 27, at least about 28, at least about 29, at least about 30, at least about 31, at least about 32, at least about 33, at least about 34, at least about 35, at least about 36, at least about 37, at least about 38, at least about 39, at least about 40, at least about 41, at least about 42, at least about 43, at least about 44, at least about 45, at least about 46, at least about 47, at least about 48, at least about 49, or at least about 50 basic amino acids.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 30 to about 50 basic amino acids.
53. The method of any one of claims 50 to 52, wherein the basic amino acid comprises arginine, lysine, histidine, or any combination thereof.
54. The method of any one of claims 39 to 53, wherein the cationic carrier moiety comprises about 40 lysine monomers.
55. The method of any one of claims 39 to 54, wherein the adjuvant moiety is capable of modulating an immune response, an inflammatory response, and/or a tissue.
56. The method of any one of claims 39 to 55, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises an imidazole derivative, an amino acid, a vitamin, or any combination thereof.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises:
Figure imgf000097_0003
wherein each of G1 and G2 is H, an aromatic ring, or 1-10 alkyl, or G1 and G2 together form an aromatic ring, and wherein n is 1-10.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises nitroimidazole.
59. The method of claim 56, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises metronidazole, tinidazole, nimorazole, dimetridazole, pretomanid, ornidazole, megazol, azanidazole, benznidazole, or any combination thereof.
60. The method of any one of claims 39 to 59, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises an amino acid.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises
Figure imgf000097_0001
wherein Ar is
Figure imgf000097_0002
wherein each of Z1 and Z2 is H or OH.
62. The method of any one of claims 39 to 61, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises a vitamin.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein the vitamin comprises a cyclic ring or cyclic hetero atom ring and a carboxyl group or hydroxyl group.
64. The method of claim 62 or 63, wherein the vitamin comprises: (formula IV), wherein each of Y1 and Y2 is C, N, O, or S, and wherein n is 1 or 2.
65. The method of any one of claims 56 to 64, wherein the vitamin is selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, vitamin Bl, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin M, vitamin H, and any combination thereof.
66. The method of claim 65, wherein the vitamin is vitamin B3.
67. The method of claim 65 or 66, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises at least about two, at least about three, at least about four, at least about five, at least about six, at least about seven, at least about eight, at least about nine, at least about ten, at least about 11, at least about 12, at least about 13, at least about 14, at least about 15, at least about 16, at least about 17, at least about 18, at least about 19, or at least about 20 vitamin B3.
68. The method of any one of claims 65 to 67, wherein the adjuvant moiety comprises about 10 vitamin B3.
69. The method of any one of claims 65 to 68, wherein the delivery agent comprises a water- soluble biopolymer moiety with about 120 to about 130 PEG units, a cationic carrier moiety comprising a poly-lysine with about 30 to about 40 lysines, and an adjuvant moiety with about 5 to about 10 vitamin B3.
70. The method of any one of claims 39 to 69, wherein the cationic carrier unit is capable of protecting the miR-485 inhibitor from enzymatic degradation.
71. The method of any one of claims 1 to 70, wherein the miR-485 inhibitor is administered intranasally, parenthetically, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, ophthalmic, intravenously, intraperitoneally, intradermally, intraorbitally, intracerebrally, intracranially, intracerebroventricularly, intraspinally, intraventricular, intrathecally, intracistemally, intracapsularly, intratumorally, topically, or any combination thereof.
72. The method of any one of claims 38 to 71, wherein the delivery agent is a micelle.
73. The method of claim 72, wherein the micelle comprises (i) about 100 to about 200 PEG units, (ii) about 30 to about 40 lysines, each with an amine group, (iii) about 15 to about 20 lysines, each with a thiol group, and (iv) about 30 to about 40 lysines, each linked to vitamin B3.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein the micelle comprises (i) about 120 to about 130 PEG units, (ii) about 32 lysines, each with an amine group, (iii) about 16 lysines, each with a thiol group, and (iv) about 32 lysines, each linked to vitamin B3.
75. The method of claim 73 or 74, wherein a targeting moiety is further linked to the PEG units.
76. The method of claim 75, wherein the targeting moiety is a LAT 1 targeting ligand.
77. The method of claim 76, wherein the targeting moiety is phenylalanine.
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