Oligonucleotides acute toxicity

Oligonucleotide therapeutics have a relatively low order of acute toxicity, with the notable exception of the polyanionic PS ODNs, which have been known to activate complement through the alternative pathway in monkeys. Because these compounds do not cross the blood-brain barrier nor accumulate in cardiac muscle, and because the uptake of these compounds is dependent on saturable processes, very high doses of oligonucleotides tend not to produce central effects or acute organ failure, thus lowering the potential for acute lethality. 

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