A novel allergen-specific therapy for allergy using CD40-silenced dendritic cells.

Background: Induction of RNA interference with small interfering RNA (siRNA) has demonstrated therapeutic potential through the knockdown of target genes. We have previously reported that systemic administration of CD40 siRNA is capable of attenuating allergic symptoms but in an allergen-nonspecific fashion. However, siRNA-based allergen-specific therapy for allergy has not been developed.

Preventing tissue injury using siRNA.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a process through which double-stranded RNA induces the activation of endogenous cellular pathways of RNA degradation, resulting in selective and potent silencing of genes that have homology to the double strand. Much of the excitement surrounding small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated therapeutics arises from the fact that this approach overcomes many of the shortcomings previously experienced with alternative approaches to selective blocking that use antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides or pharmacological inhibitors. Induction of RNAi through administration of siRNA has been successfully applied to the treatment of hepatitis, viral infections, and cancer.

Oligonucleotide based-strategies for allergy with special reference to siRNA.

Background: Allergic diseases are a significant global health care problem. Current pharmacological approaches address symptoms but do not alter the underlying immune dysregulation. Current allergen-specific immunotherapy has several drawbacks.

Antigen-specific therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Immunotherapy offers the promise of antigen-specific suppression of pathological immune responses in conditions such as autoimmunity and organ transplantation. Substantial advances have been made in recent years in terms of understanding basic immunological mechanisms of autoreactivity, as well as clinically implementing immune-based therapies that are antigen nonspecific.

Objective: To provide an integrated overview of the current state of the art in terms of antigen-specific tolerance induction, as well as to predict future directions for the field.