Exploring in vitro roles of siRNA in cardiovascular disease  

作　　者：Yu TANG Yu-zhi GE James Q YIN 

机构地区：[1]Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China [2]United Cardiovascular Department, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang 330046, China

出　　处：《Acta Pharmacologica Sinica》2007年第1期1-9,共9页中国药理学报（英文版）

基　　金：the Hundred Talents Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences;the High-Tech Project Foundation(863 project)(No_2002BA711A01-22).

摘　　要：RNA interference （RNAi） is an adaptive defense mechanism through which doublestranded RNAs silence cognate genes in a sequence-specific manner. It has been employed widely as a powerful tool in functional genomics studies, target validation and therapeutic product development. Similarly, the application of smallinterfering RNA （siRNA） to the silencing of the disease-causing genes involved in cardiovascular diseases has made great progress. In this overview, we attempt to provide a brief outline of the current understanding of the mechanism of RNAi and its potential application to the cardiovascular system, with particular empha- sis on its ability to identify the pathophysiological function of genes related to several important cardiovascular disorders. The prospects of RNAi-based therapeutics, as well as the advantages and potential problems, are also discussed.RNA interference （RNAi） is an adaptive defense mechanism through which doublestranded RNAs silence cognate genes in a sequence-specific manner. It has been employed widely as a powerful tool in functional genomics studies, target validation and therapeutic product development. Similarly, the application of smallinterfering RNA （siRNA） to the silencing of the disease-causing genes involved in cardiovascular diseases has made great progress. In this overview, we attempt to provide a brief outline of the current understanding of the mechanism of RNAi and its potential application to the cardiovascular system, with particular empha- sis on its ability to identify the pathophysiological function of genes related to several important cardiovascular disorders. The prospects of RNAi-based therapeutics, as well as the advantages and potential problems, are also discussed.

关 键 词：SIRNA RNAI gene silencing cardiovasculardisease gene therapy 

分 类 号：R541[医药卫生—心血管疾病]