Retrovirus-mediated delivery of an IL-4 receptor antagonist inhibits allergic responses in a murine model of asthma.

This work reports the investigation of the effect of airway IL-4RA gene transfer by a recombinant retroviral vector on airway inflammation and airway responsiveness in asthmatic mice. The retrovirus-mediated delivery of IL-4RA to the airways of mice inhibited elevations of airway responsiveness and the development of allergic inflammation in asthmatic mice, and regulated the Th1/Th2 balance in OVA-sensitized and -challenged mouse models. This suggests that gene therapy is a therapeutic option for treating and controlling chronic airway inflammation and asthma symptoms.