Efficacy of GalNAc C3 siRNAs in factor H-deficient mice with C3 glomerulopathy

Abstract

Complement alternative pathway (AP) dysregulation drives C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a rare renal disorder characterized by glomerular C3 deposition and glomerular damage, for which no effective treatments are available. Blockade of complement C3 is emerging as a viable therapeutic option. In an earlier study we showed that SLN500, a small interfering RNA targeting liver C3 synthesis, was able to limit AP dysregulation and glomerular C3d deposits in mice with partial factor H (FH) deficiency (Cfh^+/- mice). Here, we assessed the pharmacological effects of SLN501 - an optimized SLN500 version - in mice with complete FH deficiency (Cfh^-/- mice) that exhibit a more severe C3G phenotype. SLN501 effectively prevented liver C3 synthesis, thus limiting AP dysregulation, glomerular C3d deposits and the development of ultrastructural alterations. These data provide firm evidence of the use of siRNA-mediated liver C3 gene silencing as a potential therapy for treating C3G patients with either partial or complete FH loss of function.

Keywords: C3 glomerulopathy; FH-deficient mice; GalNAc-siRNA; complement alternative pathway; complement component 3; complement factor H.