Antisense inhibition of Interleukin-15 expression

Abstract

Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of Interleukin-15. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding Interleukin-15. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of Interleukin-15 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of Interleukin-15 are provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An antisense compound 8 to 30 nucleotides in length targeted to a nucleic acid molecule encoding human Interleukin-15, wherein said antisense compound specifically hybridizes with said nucleic acid molecule (SEQ ID NO: 1) encoding human Interleukin-15 and inhibits the expression of human Interleukin-15, and wherein said antisense compound comprises at least one 2′-modified sugar moiety.  
     
     
         2 . The antisense compound of  claim 1  which is an antisense oligonucleotide.  
     
     
         3 . The antisense compound of  claim 2  wherein the antisense oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleoside linkage.  
     
     
         4 . The antisense compound of  claim 3  wherein the modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.  
     
     
         5 . The antisense compound of  claim 2  wherein the 2′-modified sugar moiety is a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar moiety.  
     
     
         6 . The antisense compound of  claim 2  wherein the antisense oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleobase.  
     
     
         7 . The antisense compound of  claim 6  wherein the modified nucleobase is a 5-methylcytosine.  
     
     
         8 . The antisense compound of  claim 2  wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is a chimeric oligonucleotide.  
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense compound of  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.  
     
     
         10 . A method of inhibiting the expression of Interleukin-15 in human cells or tissues comprising contacting said cells or tissues with the antisense compound of  claim 1  so that expression of Interleukin-15 is inhibited.  
     
     
         11 . A method of treating an animal having a disease or condition associated with Interleukin-15 comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of the antisense compound of  claim 1  so that expression of Interleukin-15 is inhibited.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the disease or condition is a hyperproliferative condition or an autoimmune condition.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the hyperproliferative condition is cancer.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the autoimmune condition is arthritis, graft vs. host disease, or multiple sclerosis.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said animal is a human.