Method for opening tight junctions
AssigneeThe Provost, Fellows and Scholars of the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth Near Dublin
InventorsPeter Humphries, Matthew Campbell, Anna-Sophia Kiang
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method and use of RNA interference (RNAi) for the transient, reversible and controlled opening of the tight junctions of the blood brain barrier and/or the blood retinal barrier. This method may be used in the treatment of many diseases and disorders which require the opening of the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier. Such methods generally involve the use of an RNAi-inducing agent, such as siRNA, miRNA, shRNA or an RNAi-inducing vector whose presence within a cell results in production of an siRNA or shRNA, targeting tight junction proteins to open the blood brain barrier and/or blood retinal barrier.
Claims10
A method for the treatment of a traumatic brain injury or stroke wherein the treatment comprises the systemic or viral mediated delivery of a RNAi inducing agent targeting claudin-5 to allow the permeation and free diffusion of water across the blood brain barrier, and results in the reversible and transient RNAi-mediated suppression of claudin-5 in brain capillary endothelial cells and wherein RNAi-mediated suppression commences from approximately 24 hours post delivery of the RNAi inducing agent and lasts up to approximately 72 hours post delivery of the RNAi inducing agent.
A method for reducing intercranial pressure and/or reduction of cerebral oedema in a patient, wherein the method comprises:
- systemic or viral mediated delivery to the patient of an RNAi-inducing agent that targets claudin-5 to allow the permeation and free diffusion of water across the blood brain barrier,
- thereby resulting in reversible and transient RNAi-mediated suppression of claudin-5 in brain capillary endothelial cells and wherein RNAi-mediated suppression commences from approximately 24 hours post delivery of the RNAi inducing agent and lasts up to approximately 72 hours post delivery of the RNAi inducing agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.