PEG-linked L-RNA Oligonucleotide Hepcidin-targeting Agent NOX-H94

A proprietary 44-nucleotide L-stereoisomer RNA oligonucleotide conjugated to a 40 kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) that targets hepcidin with potential anti-anemic activity. Upon intravenous or subcutaneous administration, PEG-linked L-RNA oligonucleotide hepcidin targeting agent NOX-H94 binds to hepcidin and prevents it from binding to the iron channel ferroportin, located on the basolateral surface of gastrointestinal enterocytes and the plasma membrane of macrophages. This prevents hepcidin-induced internalization and degradation of ferroportin, thus decreasing macrophage iron retention. In turn, binding of NOX-H94 to hepcidin normalizes plasma iron levels and increases erythropoiesis. This may inhibit anemia caused by inflammation. Hepcidin, a peptide hormone that plays a key role in the homeostasis of systemic iron, is upregulated during acute and chronic inflammation in response to cytokines. The unique mirror-image configuration of this agent renders it resistant to hydrolysis and shows a low antigenicity profile. Pegylation increases the half-life of this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)

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