Inhibition of li expression in mammalian cells
The present invention is directed toward compositions and methods involving the inhibition of Ii expression in cells for the purpose of altering antigen presentation pathways. More specifically, disclosed are compositions and methods which relate to MHC Class II molecule presentation of antigenic epitopes which, under normal circumstances, would not be presented in association with MHC Class II molecules. The invention relates to presentation in cells which normally express MHC Class II molecules, as well as cells which can be induced to express MHC Class II molecules. Embodiments relating to RNA interference of Ii are specifically disclosed.
1 . A composition comprising an siRNA effective to inhibit Ii expression.
2 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the siRNA comprises an RNA duplex comprising:
a) a first strand comprising a sense sequence of Ii, the sense sequence of Ii of from 10 to 25 nucleotides in length; and
b) a second strand comprising a reverse complement of the sense sequence in a).
3 . The composition of claim 2 wherein the siRNA comprises an RNA duplex comprising:
a) a first strand comprising a sense sequence of Ii, the sense sequence of Ii of from 19 to 25 nucleotides in length; and
b) a second strand comprising a reverse complement of the sense sequence in a).
4 . The composition of claim 3 wherein the siRNA comprises an RNA duplex comprising:
a) a first strand comprising a 21 to 23 nucleotide sense sequence of Ii; and
b) a second strand comprising a reverse complement of the sequence in a).
5 . A composition comprising a DNA sequence which encodes an siRNA effective to inhibit Ii expression.
6 . The composition of claim 5 wherein the DNA sequence is in a plasmid vector.
7 . The composition of claim 5 wherein the DNA sequence is in a viral vector.
8 . The composition of claim 7 wherein the viral vector is selected from the group consisting of adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, lentivirus, poxvirus, influenza, and retrovirus.
9 . The composition of claims 1 or 5 wherein the siRNA comprises in a single molecule:
a) a sense sequence of Ii of from 10 to 25 nucleotides in length;
b) a reverse complement of the sequence in a); and
c) an intervening sequence enabling duplex formation between the sense and reverse complement sequences.
10 . The composition of claim 9 wherein the siRNA comprises in a single molecule:
a) a sense sequence of Ii of from 19 to 25 nucleotides in length;
b) a reverse complement of the sequence in a); and
c) an intervening sequence enabling duplex formation between the sense and reverse complement sequences.
11 . The composition of claim 10 wherein the siRNA comprises in a single molecule:
a) a 21 to 23 nucleotide sense sequence of Ii;
b) a reverse complement of the sequence in a); and
c) an intervening sequence enabling duplex formation between the sense and reverse complement sequences.
12 . The composition of claims 1 or 5 wherein the siRNA comprises the RNA of a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 17, and SEQ ID NO: 18.
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42 . A method for inhibiting expression of Ii in a cell, the method comprising introducing an siRNA into a cell expressing Ii, wherein the siRNA is introduced either directly or indirectly into the cell, and further wherein the siRNA is capable of forming an RNA-induced silencing complex, thereby inhibiting expression of Ii in the cell.
43 . The method of claim 42 wherein the siRNA is introduced indirectly into the cell, the siRNA being transcribed within the cell from an expressible nucleic acid sequence or sequences encoding the siRNA.
44 . The method of claim 43 wherein the expressible nucleic acid sequence or sequences comprise:
a) a first expressible DNA sequence which encodes a first RNA sequence comprising a sense sequence of Ii; and
b) a second expressible DNA sequence which encodes a second RNA sequence comprising the reverse complement of the sense sequence of Ii in step a),
wherein an siRNA duplex forms upon hybridization of the first RNA sequence to the second RNA sequence.
45 . The method of claim 44 wherein at least one of the first and second expressible DNAs is a purified PCR product.
46 . The method of claim 44 wherein at least one of the first and second expressible DNAs is in a vector.
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