Small interfering RNA-induced TLR3 activation inhibits blood and lymphatic vessel growth

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Apr 28;106(17):7137-42. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812317106. Epub 2009 Apr 9.

Abstract

Neovascularization in response to tissue injury consists of the dual invasion of blood (hemangiogenesis) and lymphatic (lymphangiogenesis) vessels. We reported recently that 21-nt or longer small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can suppress hemangiogenesis in mouse models of choroidal neovascularization and dermal wound healing independently of RNA interference by directly activating Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), a double-stranded RNA immune receptor, on the cell surface of blood endothelial cells. Here, we show that a 21-nt nontargeted siRNA suppresses both hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in mouse models of neovascularization induced by corneal sutures or hindlimb ischemia as efficiently as a 21-nt siRNA targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-A. In contrast, a 7-nt nontargeted siRNA, which is too short to activate TLR3, does not block hemangiogenesis or lymphangiogenesis in these models. Exposure to 21-nt siRNA, which we demonstrate is not internalized unless cell-permeating moieties are used, triggers phosphorylation of cell surface TLR3 on lymphatic endothelial cells and induces apoptosis. These findings introduce TLR3 activation as a method of jointly suppressing blood and lymphatic neovascularization and simultaneously raise new concerns about the undesirable effects of siRNAs on both circulatory systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Hindlimb / blood supply
  • Hindlimb / metabolism
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Phosphorylation
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TLR3 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3