Gene therapy in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Several investigators have reported the possibility of gene therapy for experimental autoimmune diseases such as type-1 insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although there are no reports about gene therapies for human autoimmune rheumatic diseases including RA and SLE, we reviewed these experimental therapies for model animals and discussed the possibility of gene therapy for human autoimmune rheumatic disorders as a new therapeutic strategy.