Figure 3.

Principles of ASOs/RNAi for lncRNA silencing in colorectal cancer tumor cells. The illustration offers a step-by-step visual guide of the process involving ASOs/RNAi-based gene silencing, beginning from the in vitro production of therapeutic molecules to their eventual interaction and impact within colorectal cancer tumor cells. “ASOs/RNAi Preparation”: displayed as a lab flask containing miniature, colored strands of DNA or RNA, this section represents the synthesis of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or RNA interference molecules (RNAi). “Loading into Microparticles”: this stage is portrayed by these small strands being encapsulated into larger, sphere-like structures. This represents the loading of ASOs/RNAi into microvesicles or microparticles. Additionally, these microparticles could be engineered to carry a specific antibody to facilitate targeted binding to specific cells. “Targeted Delivery”: delivery poses a significant challenge in this process. The microparticles carrying the therapeutic molecules are depicted entering the complex cellular environment of a colorectal tumor, which is composed of a myriad of different cell types. “mRNA Cleavage or Translation Inhibition and M1-Polarisation”: within the tumor cells, the microparticles discharge the ASOs or RNAi. These molecules are illustrated as binding to their long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) targets (depicted as strands of varying colors within the cells), leading to the degradation of the lncRNA, effectively “silencing” them. This step includes the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) mechanism, which allows for either mRNA cleavage or translation inhibition, leading to the silencing of the target genes.