A Bioinformatic Rational Gene Targeting Approach to Treating Pathologies with Healthy Diet

Abstract

We hypothesize that select healthy dietary supplements can modulate the expression of disease‐causing genes back toward the normal, slowing the disease process while lowering treatment cost, toxicity, long‐term risks, and improving compliance as compared with current expensive drugs. This novel strategy includes bioinformatic analysis to identify existing diet modulated risk genes. To demonstrate proof of principle, we tested two diverse models: transplantation rejection and Down Syndrome. These pathologies are caused by excessive IL‐2 production and (in part) RCAN1, respectively, and thus, have defined genetic bases. For clinical immunosuppression, the dietary botanicals curcumin, sulforaphane, quercetin and green tea all significantly inhibited T‐cell proliferation and IL‐2 production in human and mouse T‐cells, suggesting their potential in treating transplant and auto‐immunity patients. We also observe that fish oil reduces mouse hippocampal and spleen RCAN1 mRNA and protein expression. These results have been extended by bioinformatic analyses to assess risk genes for multiple pathologies. Combined, these results support our strategy of using healthy dietary supplements to treat genetically‐defined pathologies, an approach that we believe is simple, healthy, and cost‐effective.