In the lab setting, single stranded RNA is notoriously fragile because is is susceptible to degradation by enzymes known as ribonucleases (RNases) that are just everywhere, so I'm having a little bit of a faith issue that single stranded RNA could be stable enough to get used in therapy
BUT there you are, looks like folks are working on it
Here are some comments/diagrams on RNA-based approaches to gene therapy:
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/genetherapy/gtapproaches/
ANd as for protein folding, there is a current theory to explain the association of HLA B27 with AS/spondyloarthropathies that is based on the tendency of HLAB27 to
MISFOLD:
http://www.jimmunol.org/cgi/content/full/163/12/6665
