The future of HIV infection: gene therapy and RNA interference.
The description of the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) has generated enormous interest in the biomedical field. A previously unrecognized pathway in which small interfering, 21 to 23 mer, double-stranded RNA (siRNA) mediates sequence-specific degradation of mRNA is becoming one the most useful techniques in cell biology and genetics research. Based on the potency, specificity and physiology of RNAi to silence gene expression, much is expected from its use as a therapeutic tool. The first evidence of RNAi as a suppressor of HIV replication has already been reported, thus providing a new impetus to the development of molecular or gene therapy approaches to HIV infection.
Delgado
Rafael
R
Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
Regueiro
Benito J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003673:Defective Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D005544:Forecasting; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000209:etiology; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015728:Receptors, HIV / Q000187:drug effects; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D016511:Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / Q000628:therapy; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D054298:Human Immunodeficiency Virus Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D015728:Receptors, HIV