What is it about?
Inhibition of TNF-alpha is clinically proven in rheumatoid arthritis patients. We used highly modified polymeric nanoparticles (chitosan-DEAE-PEG-FA-siRNA) to treat CAIA arthritic mice by inhibiting TNF-alpha messenger RNA. We succeeded in reducing inflammation, swelling, joint destruction and bone resorption after a single injection of this compound, with no significant toxicity or side effects.
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Why is it important?
This study confirms the potential for gene therapy treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using non-viral vectors targeting a known inflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha).
Perspectives
Non-viral vectors are much cheaper to produce, store and manipulate than viral vectors or monoclonal antibodies that rely on bioreactors. This new nanovector paves the way for accessible, mass produced gene therapy in the near future.
Dr Julio C Fernandes
Universite de Montreal
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: In vivo therapeutic efficacy of TNFα silencing by folate-PEG-chitosan-DEAE/siRNA nanoparticles in arthritic mice, International Journal of Nanomedicine, January 2018, Dove Medical Press,
DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s146942.
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