Bücher der Reihe Perspectives in Antisense Science

One of their most promising applications is as antiviral tools: they can specifically target a viral gene, even if it is integrated into the host genome, and be used to specifically inactivate the viral gene or even destroy the cells harboring this gene.

Restenosis, the proliferation of smooth muscle cells that line blood vessels, often follows angioplasty. This work addresses the potential of using antisense therapies to inhibit the restenosis that occurs after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and coronary stenting.

Application of antisense oligonucleotide technology in the nervous system stands apart, largely because of its enormous success. The source of this success remains a matter of some controversy. This work addresses the origins of that controversy and determines whether the nervous system is a privileged site for antisense oligonucleotide action.

When first introduced, antisense oligonucleotides were hailed as the long awaited magic bullet that would provide an unprecedented level of specificity in controlling gene expression. Following this initial enthusiasm, antisense oligonucleotides have been maligned as nonspecific, toxic, and essentially useless. However, application of antisense oligonucleotide technology in the nervous system stands apart from the use of this technique in peripheral systems, largely because of its enormous success. The source of this success remains a matter of some controversy. Modulating Gene Expression by Antisense Oligonucleotides to Understand Neural Functioning addresses the origins of that controversy and determines whether the nervous system is a privileged site for antisense oligonucleotide action and not subject to the same vagaries and pitfalls as non-neuronal systems. Modulating Gene Expression by Antisense Oligonucleotides to Understand Neural Functioning contains chapters by experts in the field that focus on the use of this technique in a variety of behavioral systems, as well as rapid and nonspecific effects and the uptake and metabolism of antisense oligonucleotides by the nervous system. Modulating Gene Expression by Antisense Oligonucleotides to Understand Neural Functioning features: experts in the field reporting on the use of antisense oligonucleotide technology in a variety of behavioral systems, including pain control, circadian rhythms, ingestion and control of water balance, and reproductive behaviors; the novel use of plasmids to express antisense RNA in the nervous system; the biodistribution and metabolism of antisense oligonucleotides in the nervous system; rapid and unusual effects; and non-specific effects.

In the past few years, antisense methodology has moved from in vitro studies to in vivo studies and first human trials. The work is organized into three sections: antisense application in vitro, antisense application in vivo (animal models) and finally, clinical antisense studies.

One of their most promising applications is as antiviral tools: they can specifically target a viral gene, even if it is integrated into the host genome, and be used to specifically inactivate the viral gene or even destroy the cells harboring this gene.