Gene Therapy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Title: Gene Therapy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Volume: 5 Issue: 6

Author(s): Vasileios C. Kyttaris, Petros P. Sfikakis, Yuang-Taung Juang and George C. Tsokos

Affiliation:

Keywords: SLE, gene therapy, cytokines, cell therapy, genetics

Abstract: Despite the fact that the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus is largely unknown, key steps in the pathophysiology of the disease have been recognized and targeted using gene therapy techniques. In animal models of lupus, gene transfer has been used to block the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules leading to clinical improvement. In humans, ex vivo experiments have shown the feasibility of gene transfer in live T cells and its potential for restoring normal phenotype in T cells from patients with lupus. Still in experimental phase, gene therapy in lupus promises to correct the aberrant immunological response without the numerous side-effects of the currently used immunosuppressant medications.

Cite this article as:

Kyttaris C. Vasileios, Sfikakis P. Petros, Juang Yuang-Taung and Tsokos C. George, Gene Therapy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Current Gene Therapy 2005; 5 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652305774964703