Methods of treatment involving p21/CIP1

摘要

The onset ratios and pathological conditions of collagen-induced arthritis and adjuvant arthritis in model mice and rats, respectively, were successfully ameliorated by topically expressing the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16^INK4a and p21^{Cip1 p} in articular tissues using adenoviral vectors. In the synovial cells of CDKI-transduced mice, expression of inflammatory cytokines was inhibited. Described are the use of the p21^Cip1 protein for inhibiting abnormal proliferation of synovial tissues, inflammation in synovial tissues and/or expression of inflammatory cytokines in synovial tissues; the p21^Cip1 gene; compounds promoting the activity or expression of the p21^Cip1 protein; and pharmaceutical compositions containing these molecules. Also provided are method of screening for compounds participating in the abnormal proliferation of synovial tissues, inflammation in synovial tissues and/or the expression of inflammatory cytokines in synovial tissues targeting the p21^Cip1 protein. Rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders associated with inflammation of the synovial tissue can be prevented or treated by promoting expression or function of p21^Cip1 protein.