MOLECULAR TARGETS AND COMPOUNDS, AND METHODS TO IDENTIFY THE SAME, USEFUL IN THE TREATMENT OF FIBROTIC DISEASES

摘要

The present invention relates to methods and assays for identifying agents useful in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention provides polypeptide and nucleic acid TARGETs, siRNA sequences based on these TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA sequences based on the TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs for use in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention further provides in vitro methods for reduction or inhibition of macrophage differentiation into alternatively-activated macrophages (M2).