Therapeutic polynucleotides, compositions, and methods

Abstract

This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a composition that generally includes an xNA molecule comprising at least six nucleotides, in an amount effective to improve at least one indicator of myocyte function and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method of treating cardiac disease. Generally, the method includes administering to a subject a composition that includes an xNA molecule having at least six nucleotides, in an amount effective to improve at least one indicator of myocyte function, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method for evaluating the efficacy of treatment of cardiac disease. Generally, the method includes administering to a subject a composition that includes a first xNA molecule comprising a predetermined length in an amount effective to increase myocyte relaxation, then selecting a predetermined length of a second xNA molecule for at least one subsequent treatment. If treatment with the first xNA results in more myocyte relaxation than is desired, then the predetermined length of the second xNA molecule is shorter than the predetermined length of the first xNA. If, on the other hand, treatment with the first xNA results in less myocyte relaxation than is desired then the predetermined length of the second xNA molecule is longer than the predetermined length of the first xNA.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 an xNA molecule comprising at least six nucleotides, in an amount effective to improve at least one indicator of myocyte function; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the xNA comprises a ssDNA molecule of no more than 100 nucleotides. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the xNA comprises an RNA comprising no more than 50 nucleotides. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of any preceding claim wherein the xNA molecule comprises a randomized nucleotide sequence. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of any preceding claim comprising a vector that comprises the xNA molecule. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of any preceding claim wherein the indicator of myocyte function comprises relaxation and improvement of myocyte relaxation comprises reducing the time required to return to baseline after contraction. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating cardiac disease, the method comprising:
 administering to a subject a composition comprising:
 an xNA molecule comprising at least six nucleotides, in an amount effective to improve at least one indicator of myocyte function; and 
 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
   
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 evaluating the efficacy of treatment of cardiac disease, wherein the treatment comprises administering to a subject a composition comprising a first xNA molecule comprising a predetermined length in an amount effective to increase myocyte relaxation; and   selecting a predetermined length of a second xNA molecule for at least one subsequent treatment, wherein the change comprises:
 the predetermined length of the second xNA molecule is shorter than the predetermined length of the first xNA if treatment with the first xNA results in more myocyte relaxation than is desired; or 
 the predetermined length of the second xNA molecule is longer than the predetermined length of the first xNA if treatment with the first xNA results in less myocyte relaxation than is desired. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of either  claim 7  or  claim 8  wherein the xNA molecule comprises a randomized nucleotide sequence.