Adenovirus-mediated in vivo silencing of anaphylatoxin receptor C5aR

C5a, one of the most potent inflammatory peptides, induces its inflammatory functions by interacting with C5a receptor (C5aR) that belongs to the rhodopsin family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. C5a/C5aR signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and immunological diseases such as sepsis and acute lung injury. Widespread upregulation of C5aR has been seen at both the protein level and transcriptional level under pathological conditions. Here, we show that C5aR gene expression can be specifically suppressed by siRNA, both in vitro and in vivo. A panel of chemically siRNA oligonucleotides was first synthesized to identify the functional siRNA sequences. The short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were also designed, cloned, and tested for the silencing effects in C5aR transfected cells. The effective shRNA expression cassettes were then transferred to an adenovirus DNA vector. ShRNA-expressing adenoviruses were intratracheally administered into mouse lung, and a significant in vivo silencing of C5aR was obtained four days after administration. Thus, C5aR shRNA-expressing adenoviruses appear to be an alternative strategy for the treatment of complement-induced disorders.