title: RNA interference as a novel and powerful tool in immunopharmacological research.
abstract: RNA interference (RNAi), as an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for silencing gene expression, is realized through the actions of both small interference RNA (siRNA) and microRNA. Since its discovery, siRNA has been rapidly deployed not only for the elucidation of gene function, but also for identification of drug targets and as a powerful therapeutic approach for a variety of diseases. In this review, we briefly introduce the mechanisms of RNAi, methods of siRNA design and delivery, and summarized recent researches on the therapeutic potential of RNAi for immune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunologic and Inflammatory Diseases, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Lingfei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Youhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Ji Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yingying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Le
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D018390:Gene Targeting; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering