Microenvironment and Immunology Reprogramming Tumor-Associated Dendritic Cells In Vivo UsingmiRNAMimetics Triggers Protective Immunity against Ovarian Cancer

Modulating the activity of miRNAs provides opportunities for novel cancer interventions. However, low bioavailability and poor cellular uptake aremajor challenges for deliveringmiRNAmimetics specifically to tumor cells. Here, we took advantage of the spontaneous enhanced endocytic activity of ovarian cancer-associated dendritic cells (DC) to selectively supplement the immunostimulatory miRNA miR-155. In vivo processing of nanoparticles carrying oligonucleotide duplexes mimicking the bulged structure of endogenous pre-miRNA (but not siRNA-like oligonucleotides) dramatically augmented miR-155 activity without saturating the RNA-induced silencing complex. Endogenous processing of synthetic miR-155 favored Ago2 and, to a lesser extent, Ago4 loading, resulting in genome-wide transcriptional changes that included silencing of multiple immunosuppressive mediators. Correspondingly, tumor-infiltrating DCs were transformed from immunosuppressive to highly immunostimulatory cells capable of triggering potent antitumor responses that abrogated the progression of established ovarian cancers. Our results show both the feasibility and therapeutic potential of supplementing/ replenishingmiRNAs in vivo using nonviral approaches to boost protective immunity against lethal tumors. Thus, we provide a platform, an optimized design, and amechanistic rationale for the clinical testing of nonviralmiRNA mimetics. Cancer Res; 72(7); 1683–93. 2012 AACR.