Method and reagent for the treatment of asthma and allergic conditions

Abstract

The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules, including antisense, enzymatic nucleic acid molecules, and RNA interference molecules, such as hammerhead ribozymes, DNAzymes, allozymes, siRNA, decoys and antisense, which modulate the expression of prostaglandin D2 (PTGDS), prostaglandin D2 receptor (PTGDR), and adenosine receptor genes.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A nucleic acid molecule that down regulates expression of a prostaglandin D2 receptor (PTGDR) gene.  
     
     
         2 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule is an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule.  
     
     
         3 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule is an antisense nucleic acid molecule.  
     
     
         4 . The enzymatic nucleic acid molecule of  claim 2 , wherein said enzymatic nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 228-454, 831-1206, 1438-1668, 1715-2057, and 2247-2666.  
     
     
         5 . The enzymatic nucleic acid molecule of  claim 2 , wherein said enzymatic nucleic acid molecule comprises at least one binding arm wherein one or more of said binding arms comprises a sequence complementary to a sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-227, 455-830, 1207-1437, 1669-1714, and 2058-2246.  
     
     
         6 . The antisense nucleic acid molecule of  claim 3 , wherein said antisense nucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence complementary to a sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-227, 455-830, 1207-1437, 1669-1714, and 2058-2246.  
     
     
         7 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule is adapted to treat asthma.  
     
     
         8 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises at least one 2′-sugar modification.  
     
     
         9 . The nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises at least one phosphate backbone modification.  
     
     
         10 . A method of reducing PTGDR activity in a cell, comprising contacting said cell with the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1  under conditions suitable for said reduction.  
     
     
         11 . A method of treatment of a patient having a condition associated with the level of PTGDR, comprising contacting cells of said patient with the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , under conditions suitable for said treatment.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the use of one or more drug therapies under conditions suitable for said treatment.  
     
     
         13 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . A method of administering to a mammal the nucleic acid molecule of  claim 1 , comprising contacting said mammal with the molecule under conditions suitable for said administration.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said mammal is a human.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said administration is in the presence of a delivery reagent.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said delivery reagent is a lipid.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said lipid is a cationic lipid.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said lipid is a phospholipid.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said delivery reagent is a liposome.