Inventors:
Judy Lieberman - Brookline MA, US
Manjunath Narasimhaswamy - Roslindale MA, US
Erwei Song - Guangzhou, CN
Sang-Kyung Lee - Seoul, KR
Premlata Shankar - Roslindale MA, US
Assignee:
Immune Disease Institute, Inc. - Boston MA
International Classification:
A01N 63/00, A61K 48/00
US Classification:
514 44, 424 932, 435455, 514 55
Abstract:
The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases or disorders, e. g. , HIV infection, AIDS, and AIDS-related diseases. In particular, the present invention pertains to methods of modulating cellular gene expression or protein activity, e. g. , CCR5, gene expression or protein activity and/or gene expression or protein activity of a gene or sequence of an infectious agent, in order to treat or prevent infectious diseases or disorders, HIV infection, AIDS, or an AIDS-related disease or disorder. In one embodiment the combination of an RNA interfering agent targeting a cellular gene in combination with an RNA interfering agent targeting a gene or sequence of an infectious agent results in prolonged prevention of infection by an infectious agent. The present invention is based on the identification of novel RNA interference agents, e. g. , siRNA molecules, which target cellular genes, e. g.