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Therapeutic Regulation of Gene Expression in the Inner Ear using RNA Interference
Book chapter   Open access   Peer reviewed

Therapeutic Regulation of Gene Expression in the Inner Ear using RNA Interference

Yukihide Maeda, Abraham M Sheffield and Richard J.H Smith
Gene Therapy of Cochlear Deafness, pp.13-36
Advances in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, S. Karger AG
05/2009
DOI: 10.1159/000218205
PMCID: PMC2867253
PMID: 19494570
url
http://doi.org/10.1159/000218205View
Open Access

Abstract

Targeting and downregulating specific genes with antisense and decoy oligonucleotides, ribozymes or RNA interference (RNAi) offer the theoretical potential of altering a disease phenotype. Here we review the molecular mechanism behind the in vivo application of RNAi-mediated gene silencing, focusing on its application to the inner ear. RNAi is a physiological phenomenon in which small, double-stranded RNA molecules (small interfering RNA, siRNA) reduce expression of homologous genes. Notable for its exquisite sequence specificity, it is ideally applied to diseases caused by a gain-of-function mechanism of action. Types of deafness in which gain-of-function mutations are observed include DFNA2 (KCNQ4), DFNA3 (GJB2) and DFNA5 (DFNA5). Several strategies can be used to deliver siRNA into the inner ear, including cationic liposomes, adeno-associated and lentiviral vectors, and adenoviral vectors. Transduction efficiency with cationic liposomes is low and the effect is transient; with adeno-associated and lentiviral vectors, long-term transfection is possible using a small hairpin RNA expression cassette.
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