MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at posttranscriptional level by triggering\nRNA interference. In such a sense, aberrant expressions of miRNAs play critical roles in the\npathogenesis of many disorders, including Parkinsonâ??s disease (PD). Controlling the level of specific\nmiRNAs in the brain is thus a promising therapeutic strategy for neuroprotection. A fundamental\nneed for miRNA regulation (either replacing or inhibition) is a carrier capable of delivering\noligonucleotides into brain cells. This study aimed to examine a polymeric magnetic particle,\nNeuromag®, for delivery of synthetic miRNA inhibitors in the rat central nervous system. We injected\nthe miRNA inhibitor complexed with Neuromag® into the lateral ventricles next to the striatum,\nby stereotaxic surgery. Neuromag efficiently delivered oligonucleotides in the striatum and\nseptum areas, as shown by microscopy imaging of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled oligos\nin astrocytes and neurons. Transfected oligos showed efficacy concerning miRNA inhibition.\nNeuromag®-structured miR-134 antimiR (0.36 nmol) caused a significant 0.35 fold decrease of striatal\nmiR-134, as revealed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). In conclusion,\nthe polymeric magnetic particle Neuromag® efficiently delivered functional miRNA inhibitors in\nbrain regions surrounding lateral ventricles, particularly the striatum. This delivery system holds\npotential as a promising miRNA-based disease-modifying drug and merits further pre-clinical studies\nusing animal models of PD.
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