The invention relates to a double-stranded compound, preferably an
oligoribonucleotide (siRNA), which down-regulates the expression of a
human TGaseII gene at the post-transcriptional level. The invention also
relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, or a
vector capable of expressing the oligoribonucleotide compound, and a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also
contemplates a method of treating a patient suffering from a fibrotic
disease such as pulmonary, kidney and liver fibrosis or ocular, scarring
comprising administering to the patient the pharmaceutical composition in
a therapeutically effective dose so as to thereby treat the patient. The
invention also relates to treatment of fibrotic and other diseases by use
of antibodies to TGaseII polypeptide.