The B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family proteins are critical regulators of apoptosis and consist of both proapoptotic and antiapoptotic factors. Within this family, the myeloid cell leukemia factor 1 (Mcl-1) protein exists in two forms as the result of alternative splicing. The long variant (Mcl-1L) acts as an antiapoptotic factor, whereas the short isoform (Mcl-1S) displays proapoptotic activity. In this study, using splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), we increased the synthesis of Mcl-1S, which induced a concurrent reduction of Mcl-1L, resulting in increased sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptotic stimuli. The Mcl-1 ASOs also induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization and a consequent increase in mitochondrial calcium (Ca²⁺) accumulation. The high Mcl-1S/L ratio correlated with significant hyperfusion of the entire mitochondrial network, which occurred in a dynamin-related protein (Drp1)–dependent manner. Our data indicate that the balance between the long and short variants of the Mcl-1 gene represents a key aspect of the regulation of mitochondrial physiology. We propose that the Mcl-1L/S balance is a novel regulatory factor controlling the mitochondrial fusion and fission machinery.

The advantages of a treatment modality that combines two or more therapeutic agents in cancer therapy encourages the study of hybrid functional compounds for pharmacological applications. In light of this, we reviewed recent works on hybrid molecules based on bile acids. Due to their biological properties, as well as their different chemical/biochemical reactive moieties, bile acids can be considered very interesting starting molecules for conjugation with natural or synthetic bioactive molecules.

For subsets of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mutations, antisense oligoribonucleotide (AON)-mediated exon skipping has proven to be efficacious in restoring the expression of dystrophin protein. In the mdx murine model systemic delivery of AON, recognizing the splice donor of dystrophin exon 23, has shown proof of concept. Here, we show that using cationic polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (marked as T1) nanoparticles loaded with a low dose of 2′-O-methyl-phosphorothioate (2′OMePS) AON delivered by weekly intraperitoneal (IP) injection (0.9 mg/kg/week), could restore dystrophin expression in body-wide striated muscles. Delivery of an identical dose of naked AON did not result in detectable dystrophin expression. Transcription, western, and immunohistochemical analysis showed increased levels of dystrophin transcript and protein, and correct localization at the sarcolemma. This study shows that T1 nanoparticles have the capacity to bind and convoy AONs in body-wide muscle tissues and to reduce the dose required for dystrophin rescue. By immunofluorescence and electron microscopy studies, we highlighted the diffusion pathways of this compound. This nonviral approach may valuably improve the therapeutic usage of AONs in DMD as well as the delivery of RNA molecules with many implications in both basic research and medicine.