Delivery of Oligonucleotide-Functionalized Nanoparticles

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering an oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle.

1 . A method of dermal delivery of an oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle comprising the step of:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising the oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle and a dermal vehicle to the skin of a patient in need thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivery of the oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle is transdermal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivery of the oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle is topical. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , said dermal vehicle comprising an ointment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the ointment is Aquaphor. 
     
     
         6 . A method of regulating gene expression comprising the step of:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle to skin under conditions wherein the oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle hybridizes to a target and regulates gene expression.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the target is a polypeptide. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the target is a polynucleotide. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the polynucleotide is RNA. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the administration of the composition ameliorates a skin disorder. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the skin disorder is selected from the group consisting of cancer, a genetic disorder, aging, inflammation, infection, and cosmetic disfigurement. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, breast cancer and melanoma. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the target is a gene product expressed by a gene selected from the group consisting of Ras, IKBa, hedgehog, B-Raf, Akt and cyclin D. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the genetic disorder is selected from the group consisting of epidermolysis bullosa simplex, bullous ichthyosis, pachyonychia congenita, Costello syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the target is a gene product that comprises a mutation, said gene product being expressed by a gene selected from the group consisting of K5, K14, Ki, K10, H-Ras and m-Tor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the aging disorder is selected from the group consisting of UV-damage and progeria. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the target is a gene product expressed by a gene selected from the group consisting of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and progerin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the inflammation is due to psoriasis. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the target is interleukin-23. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the viral infection results in warts. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the target is E6/E7. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the cosmetic disfigurement is selected from the group consisting of seborrheic keratoses, epidermal nevi and pigmented nevi. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the target is a gene product comprising a mutation, said gene product being expressed by a gene selected from the group consisting of FGFR3, K10 and B-Raf. 
     
     
         24 . A dermal composition comprising an oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle and a dermal vehicle. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  using the composition of  claim 24 .