Fig. 4
Other new therapeutic strategies to autoimmune diseases. a Some examples of bispecific antibodies in clinical trials. b The schematic diagram of intracellular mechanisms of siRNA. siRNA consists of a guide (antisense) strand and passenger (sense) strand. The former is a functional segment for siRNA and the latter is responsible for transportation and loading. siRNA can combine with RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) consisting of Argonaute 2 (AGO2), trans-activation response RNA binding protein 2 and DICER1. After the degradation of the passenger strand, the target RNA sequence can be recognized by the guide strand. Eventually, it can induce the silence of the target RNA. c The schematic diagram of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Before determining transplantation, transplanted patients should be identified. Besides, patients are monitored to prevent flares. Generally, G-CSF and cyclophosphamide (2–4 g/m2) plus uromitexan are applied to the mobilization of HSCs in patients. About 4 or 5 days after mobilization, we collect the peripheral blood stem cells by leukapheresis and these cells are CD34+ in general. The patients can be discharged and wait for the immune conditioning after 1 or 2 weeks. The conditioning process may last for about 10 days. Then HSCs can be infused back into the patients. Patients accepting HSCs are left to observe in the hospital until the neutrophil level returns to normal. After HSCs infusion, the patients’ lymphocytes may decrease extremely but their immune systems can rebuild
