Gene silencing of STAT6 with siRNA ameliorates contact hypersensitivity and allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Silencing of genes using small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a recently developed strategy to regulate the synthesis of target molecules. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is a nuclear transcription factor that mediates Th2-type immunity.


METHODS
To elucidate the therapeutic potential of using siRNA to inhibit STAT6 in allergic reactions, we determined the nucleotide sequences of siRNA specific for STAT6.


RESULTS
The selected sequences of STAT6 siRNA specifically inhibited the generation of STAT6 synthesis in dermal fibroblasts and eotaxin (CCL11) production in response to IL-4/TNF-α in vitro. Local administration of STAT6 siRNA in vivo alleviated contact hypersensitivity responses to chemical haptens. This was accompanied by reduced local production of IL-4, IL-13, eotaxin (CCL11), TARC (CCL17) and MDC (CCL22). Similarly, consecutive intranasal instillation of STAT6 siRNA markedly inhibited inflammatory cellular infiltration of mucosal tissues in allergic rhinitis responses in association with reduced IL-4 and IL-5 production from regional lymph node cells. Immediate responses, such as sneezing and nasal rubbing behaviors, were also improved by STAT6 siRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Local administration of STAT6 siRNA is thus a promising therapeutic strategy for both Th2-mediated cutaneous diseases and allergic rhinitis.
Hosoya
K
K
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Satoh
T
T
Yamamoto
Y
Y
Saeki
K
K
Igawa
K
K
Okano
M
M
Moriya
T
T
Imamura
O
O
Nemoto
Y
Y
Yokozeki
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D054413:Chemokine CCL11 / Q000378:metabolism; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D008055:Lipids; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
C515457:Ccl11 protein, mouse; D054413:Chemokine CCL11; D008055:Lipids; C086724:Lipofectamine; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015847:Interleukin-4