RNA INTERFERENCE FOR SILENCING TLR2 AND CD14 INTENDED FOR ALTERNATIVE THERAPY IN TUBERCULOSIS.

摘要

CD14 and TLR2 are receptors expressed in the surface of macrophages, which participate in the innate immune response and may interact with M. tuberculosis. Several studies have reported the capacity of M. tuberculosis for avoiding the immune response in early stages of the infection and also promoting the intracellular multiplication thereof in alveolar macrophages causing inflammation, granulomatous tissue damage and formation of cavities. These facts appear to show that the destiny of the disease may be ruled by the initial recognition conditions of M tuberculosis by the innate immune system of alveolar macrophages. The present invention provides interference RNAs for inhibiting the infection process caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis upon silencing the expression of the receptors CD14 and TLR2 through their administration, the invention being used in vitro or in vivo in human cells. The internalization of the bacillus and the subsequent intracellular multiplication thereof are in hibited when said receptors are silenced.