wiped. RNA molecules triggering genes against hepatitis B protects liver cells in mice (right).
RNA molecules Millions can protect mice against the damage caused by hepatitis B, a new study shows. The technique disables the virus genes. The discovery takes scientists a little more to the use of this new approach, called RNA interference (RNAi), in people.
Researchers discovered in the late 190s that the RNA molecules might shortened off specific genes. In recent years some biologists began to study how these so-called small interfering RNAs (siRNA) can be used to suppress the disease. In February, a team reported using siRNA to stop a gene in the liver in mice and protect against inflammatory attack like hepatitis ( Science NOW, February 10. Gene therapist Mark Kay and his postdoctoral student Anton McCaffrey, both from Stanford University in California and colleagues wanted to know whether RNAi could target the virus directly behind the hepatitis -. the only way to finally cure people of disease
the researchers first mimicked an infection with hepatitis B by inserting the genome of hepatitis B in liver cells in mice. they then turned to the two types of siRNA each targeting different parts of the genome of the hepatitis. Kay's team placed the siRNAs in DNA loops called plasmids. infusing the mice with a considerable number of these high pressure plasmids allowed the animals to 92% less RNA of hepatitis B than control animals, the researchers report in the May 12 issue of Nature Biotechnology. mice did not suffer serious side effects detectable, although Kay points out that this delivery method can not be used in humans. He and others are experimenting with more benign ways to reach a large number of cells with siRNA.
Judy Lieberman of Harvard University, lead author on the paper hepatitis in February that used a different approach, is encouraged that the study of Kay was successful, but warns that numerous obstacles remain. Philip Sharp of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge agrees. "The question is, can you get [siRNAs] it effectively, appropriately, have an impact on the process that causes the disease?" he says. "I remain optimistic, but I do not consider as a dead certainty."
Related Sites
Stanford laboratory of Mark Kay of
B Foundation Hepatitis
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