Compositions and methods for inhibiting expression of factor vii gene

Abstract

The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of the Factor VII gene.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA), wherein said dsRNA comprises at least two sequences that are substantially complementary to each other and wherein a sense strand of the dsRNA comprises a first sequence and an antisense strand of the dsRNA comprises a second sequence comprising a region that is substantially complementary to at least part of an mRNA encoding Factor VII, wherein each strand is at least 15 nucleotides in length and less than or equal to 30 nucleotides in length, and wherein said first sequence is selected from the group consisting of said sense strand sequences in Tables 1, 2, and 3, and wherein said second sequence is selected from the group consisting of said antisense strand sequences in Tables 1, 2, and 3. 
     
     
         2 . The dsRNA of  claim 1 , wherein the sense strand sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:5, and the antisense strand sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
         3 . The dsRNA of  claim 1 , wherein the dsRNA can reduce liver Factor VII mRNA levels in rats by at least 25% silencing with a single administration of a dose 98N12-5 formulated Factor VII-targeting siRNA. 
     
     
         4 . The dsRNA of  claim 1 , wherein said dsRNA comprises at least one modified nucleotide. 
     
     
         5 . The dsRNA of  claim 4 , wherein said modified nucleotide is chosen from the group consisting of: a 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotide, a nucleotide comprising a 5′-phosphorothioate group, and a terminal nucleotide linked to a cholesteryl derivative or dodecanoic acid bisdecylamide group. 
     
     
         6 . The dsRNA of  claim 4 , wherein said modified nucleotide is chosen from the group consisting of: a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro modified nucleotide, a 2′-deoxy-modified nucleotide, a locked nucleotide, an abasic nucleotide, 2′-amino-modified nucleotide, 2′-alkyl-modified nucleotide, morpholino nucleotide, a phosphoramidate, and a non-natural base comprising nucleotide. 
     
     
         7 . The dsRNA of  claim 1  comprising a phosphorothioate or a 2′-modified nucleotide. 
     
     
         8 . The dsRNA of  claim 1 , wherein the region of complementarity is at least 15 nucleotides in length. 
     
     
         9 . The dsRNA of  claim 1 , wherein the region of complementarity is 19-21 nucleotides in length. 
     
     
         10 . A cell comprising the dsRNA of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a dsRNA of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         12 . A method for inhibiting the expression of a Factor VII gene in a cell, the method comprising:
 (a) introducing into the cell a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) of  claim 1 ; and   (b) maintaining the cell produced in step (a) for a time sufficient to obtain degradation of the mRNA transcript of the Factor VII gene, thereby inhibiting expression of the Factor VII gene in the cell.   
     
     
         13 . A method of treating, preventing or managing a viral hemorrhagic fever comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment, prevention or management a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a dsRNA of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A vector comprising a regulatory sequence operably linked to a nucleotide sequence that encodes at least one strand of a dsRNA of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A cell comprising the vector of  claim 14 .