Moncef Zouali
Autoimmune diseases arise from breakdown of immune tolerance and are commonly treated with broad immunosuppression that limits efficacy and increases toxicity. For drug discovery, mRNA therapeutics offer a programmable, modular platform to develop antigen-specific and mechanism-driven autoimmune therapies. mRNA-based approaches enable transient, controllable expression of self-antigens, immunoregulatory proteins and transcription factors to induce tolerance, reshape local immune microenvironments and enhance regulatory immune pathways. Preclinical studies across models of multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis demonstrate proof-of-concept and translational potential. Collectively, these findings position mRNA therapeutics for selective immune modulation while preserving immunity.