MODULATION OF IMMUNOSTIMULATORY PROPERTIES OF SHORT INTERFERING RIBONUCLEIC ACID (siRNA) BY NUCLEOTIDE MODIFICATION

摘要

Double-stranded short interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) are modified to reduce or eliminate their immunostimulatory effect without significantly affecting their gene silencing effect. Modified siRNA include one or more 2' sugar modifications and, optionally, internucleotide linkages on the sense strand. Compositions containing the modified siRNA and methods of making and using the modified siRNA are disclosed. New and previously characterized siRNA can be synthesized to incorporate modifications according to the invention.