title: Regulation of allergy with RNA interference.
abstract: Allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis are clinically challenging. Although current treatments such as antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and corticosteroids are effective at reducing symptoms, they do not address the underlying cause of the allergic response. Therefore, novel therapies that target upstream causative events in allergic diseases are desirable. The induction of RNA interference (RNAi) by small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a potent method for specifically knocking down molecular targets. Gene modulation by siRNA is therapeutically promising, with clinical safety and feasibility already demonstrated. However, to our knowledge, the use of siRNA in the area of allergic disease has been limited. Recently, we demonstrated the inhibition of CD40 by siRNA as a means of inhibiting allergic reactions. RNAi-based therapies represent a novel and promising strategy for the control of both the symptoms of allergy and the cause of the allergic response. Here we discuss the potential of siRNA in the treatment of allergic diseases by focusing on molecular and cellular interactions involved in the allergic cascade.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Surgery and Pathology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. suzu-mo@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Motohiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Xiufen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Xusheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yuwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Ichim
authors.forename: Weiping
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Min
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D034741:RNA, Small Interfering