RNA interference as a novel and powerful tool in immunopharmacological research.
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.
Kong
Yan
Y
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.
Ruan
Lingfei
L
Ma
Lili
L
Cui
Youhong
Y
Wang
Ji Ming
JM
Le
Yingying
Y
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
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering