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Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(2): 149-156
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-961815
Original

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Inhibition of the Androgen Receptor by Antisense Oligonucleotides Regulates the Biological Activity of Androgens in SZ95 Sebocytes

S. Fimmel 1 , A. Saborowski 1 , B. Térouanne 2 , C. Sultan 2 , C. C. Zouboulis 1 , 3
  • 1Laboratory of Biogerontology, Dermato-Pharmacology and Dermato-Endocrinology, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • 2INSERM U-540 (Endocrinologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire des Cancers) et Endocrinologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital A. de Villeneuve, Université Montpellier I, Montpellier, France
  • 3Departments of Dermatology and Immunology, Dessau Medical Center, Dessau, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 25. 11. 2005

accepted 24. 5. 2006

Publication Date:
27 February 2007 (online)

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Abstract

One novel strategy for the blockade of the androgen receptor could be the selective inhibition of androgen receptor by antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNA molecules. Here we describe the down regulation of the androgen receptor in cultured human SZ95 sebocytes with antisense oligonucleotides modified with phosphorothioates and 2′-O-methylribosyl residues. The ability of antisense oligonucleotides to cross the cellular membrane was enhanced by establishing a transient transfection system based on cationic lipid vesicles. Both antisense oligonucleotide types administered caused assumedly translational arrest. Dose-dependent inhibition of androgen receptor protein expression was observed after SZ95 sebocyte transfection with modified phosphorothioate oligonucleotides and modified 2′-O-methylribonucleotides which were directed against the translational start of the androgen receptor mRNA. The strongest transient inhibition of androgen receptor expression was detected after 14 hours with 1.0 μM antisense 2′-O-methylribonucleotides (88±1.3%, p<0.001). With longer recovery times than 24 hours, androgen receptor protein expression returned to the native control levels. Inhibition of the expression of androgen receptor by antisense oligonucleotides, reduced the enhanced proliferation of SZ95 sebocytes challenged by testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone. This administration opens new therapeutic possibilities in androgen-associated skin diseases, since we could also show androgen inhibition with these antisense oligonucleotides in a reconstituted human epidermis model (Horm Metab Res 2007; 39:157-165).

Keywords

androgens - sebaceous glands - transient transfection - biological activity

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Correspondence

C. C.Zouboulis 

Departments of Dermatology and Immunology

Dessau Medical Center

Auenweg 38

06847 Dessau

Germany

Phone: +49/340/501 40 00

Fax: +49/340/501 40 25

Email: christos.zouboulis@klinikum-dessau.de