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Currá A, Cacciabue M, Gravisaco MJ, Asurmendi S, Taboga O, Gismondi MI. Antiviral efficacy of short-hairpin RNAs and artificial microRNAs targeting foot-and-mouth disease virus. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11227. [PMID: 34178434 PMCID: PMC8197037 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a well-conserved mechanism in eukaryotic cells that directs post-transcriptional gene silencing through small RNA molecules. RNAi has been proposed as an alternative approach for rapid and specific control of viruses including foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), the causative agent of a devastating animal disease with high economic impact. The aim of this work was to assess the antiviral activity of different small RNA shuttles targeting the FMDV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase coding sequence (3D). Three target sequences were predicted within 3D considering RNA accessibility as a major criterion. The silencing efficacy of short-hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) targeting the selected sequences was confirmed in fluorescent reporter assays. Furthermore, BHK-21 cells transiently expressing shRNAs or amiRNAs proved 70 to >95% inhibition of FMDV growth. Interestingly, dual expression of amiRNAs did not improve FMDV silencing. Lastly, stable cell lines constitutively expressing amiRNAs were established and characterized in terms of antiviral activity against FMDV. As expected, viral replication in these cell lines was delayed. These results show that the target RNA-accessibility-guided approach for RNAi design rendered efficient amiRNAs that constrain FMDV replication. The application of amiRNAs to complement FMDV vaccination in specific epidemiological scenarios shall be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella Currá
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABiMo), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marco Cacciabue
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABiMo), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María José Gravisaco
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABiMo), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Asurmendi
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABiMo), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Oscar Taboga
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABiMo), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María I. Gismondi
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABiMo), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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2
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Santos IDA, Grosche VR, Bergamini FRG, Sabino-Silva R, Jardim ACG. Antivirals Against Coronaviruses: Candidate Drugs for SARS-CoV-2 Treatment? Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1818. [PMID: 32903349 PMCID: PMC7438404 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of viruses from the family Coronaviridae that can infect humans and animals, causing mild to severe diseases. The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents a global threat, urging the development of new therapeutic strategies. Here we present a selection of relevant compounds that have been described from 2005 until now as having in vitro and/or in vivo antiviral activities against human and/or animal CoVs. We also present compounds that have reached clinical trials as well as further discussing the potentiality of other molecules for application in (re)emergent CoVs outbreaks. Finally, through rationalization of the data presented herein, we wish to encourage further research encompassing these compounds as potential SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor de Andrade Santos
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Victória Riquena Grosche
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
- Institute of Biosciences, Language and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Robinson Sabino-Silva
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Biomedical Science, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
- Institute of Biosciences, Language and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, Brazil
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Maillard PV, van der Veen AG, Poirier EZ, Reis e Sousa C. Slicing and dicing viruses: antiviral RNA interference in mammals. EMBO J 2019; 38:e100941. [PMID: 30872283 PMCID: PMC6463209 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018100941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To protect against the harmful consequences of viral infections, organisms are equipped with sophisticated antiviral mechanisms, including cell-intrinsic means to restrict viral replication and propagation. Plant and invertebrate cells utilise mostly RNA interference (RNAi), an RNA-based mechanism, for cell-intrinsic immunity to viruses while vertebrates rely on the protein-based interferon (IFN)-driven innate immune system for the same purpose. The RNAi machinery is conserved in vertebrate cells, yet whether antiviral RNAi is still active in mammals and functionally relevant to mammalian antiviral defence is intensely debated. Here, we discuss cellular and viral factors that impact on antiviral RNAi and the contexts in which this system might be at play in mammalian resistance to viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre V Maillard
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Enzo Z Poirier
- Immunobiology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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Qureshi A, Tantray VG, Kirmani AR, Ahangar AG. A review on current status of antiviral siRNA. Rev Med Virol 2018; 28:e1976. [PMID: 29656441 PMCID: PMC7169094 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.1976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Viral diseases like influenza, AIDS, hepatitis, and Ebola cause severe epidemics worldwide. Along with their resistant strains, new pathogenic viruses continue to be discovered so creating an ongoing need for new antiviral treatments. RNA interference is a cellular gene‐silencing phenomenon in which sequence‐specific degradation of target mRNA is achieved by means of complementary short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules. Short interfering RNA technology affords a potential tractable strategy to combat viral pathogenesis because siRNAs are specific, easy to design, and can be directed against multiple strains of a virus by targeting their conserved gene regions. In this review, we briefly summarize the current status of siRNA therapy for representative examples from different virus families. In addition, other aspects like their design, delivery, medical significance, bioinformatics resources, and limitations are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Qureshi
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, India
| | - Vaqar Gani Tantray
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, India
| | - Altaf Rehman Kirmani
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, India
| | - Abdul Ghani Ahangar
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, India
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5
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McDonagh P, Sheehy PA, Fawcett A, Norris JM. In vitro inhibition of field isolates of feline calicivirus with short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Vet Microbiol 2015; 177:78-86. [PMID: 25770890 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common infection of domestic cats. Most infections are mild and self-limiting; however more severe disease manifestations, such as FCV-associated virulent systemic disease, may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is currently a lack of effective antiviral treatments for these disease manifestations. In this study, a panel of eight siRNAs were designed to target four conserved regions of the FCV genome. siRNAs were screened for in vitro antiviral efficacy against the reference strain FCV F9 by determination of extracellular virus titres and morphological assessment of protection from cytopathic effect. Three of the siRNA (FCV3.7, FCV4.1, and FCV4.2) demonstrated a marked antiviral effect with a greater than 99% reduction in extracellular viral titre. Titration of these effective siRNAs demonstrated a clear concentration-response relationship, with IC50 values of approximately 1 nM, and combination treatment with multiple siRNAs demonstrated additive or synergistic effects. To assess the potential usefulness of the compounds in a clinical setting, siRNAs were screened against a panel of six recent Australian FCV isolates from cats with FCV-related disease. The siRNAs shown to be effective against the reference strain FCV F9 were active against the majority of the isolates tested, although some variability was noted. Taken together these data suggest potential therapeutic application of antiviral RNAi for treating FCV-associated disease in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip McDonagh
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Building B14, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Paul A Sheehy
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Building B19, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Anne Fawcett
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Building B03, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Jacqueline M Norris
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Building B14, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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6
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McDonagh P, Sheehy PA, Norris JM. Combination siRNA therapy against feline coronavirus can delay the emergence of antiviral resistance in vitro. Vet Microbiol 2014; 176:10-8. [PMID: 25596968 PMCID: PMC7117502 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2014.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Combination siRNA treatment highly effective at inhibiting replication of FCoV in vitro. Antiviral resistance rapidly emerges with single or dual combination siRNA treatment. Combination treatment with three siRNAs significantly delayed the emergence of resistance. Dicer substrate siRNAs provide equivalent or enhanced efficacy compared to canonical siRNAs.
Virulent biotypes of feline coronavirus (FCoV), commonly referred to as feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), can result in the development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a typically fatal immune mediated disease for which there is currently no effective antiviral treatment. We previously reported the successful in vitro inhibition of FIPV replication by synthetic siRNA mediated RNA interference (RNAi) in an immortalised cell line (McDonagh et al., 2011). A major challenge facing the development of any antiviral strategy is that of resistance, a problem which is particularly acute for RNAi based therapeutics due to the exquisite sequence specificity of the targeting mechanism. The development of resistance during treatment can be minimised using combination therapy to raise the genetic barrier or using highly potent compounds which result in a more rapid and pronounced reduction in the viral replication rate, thereby reducing the formation of mutant, and potentially resistant viruses. This study investigated the efficacy of combination siRNA therapy and its ability to delay or prevent viral escape. Virus serially passaged through cells treated with a single or dual siRNAs rapidly acquired resistance, with mutations identified in the siRNA target sites. Combination therapy with three siRNA prevented viral escape over the course of five passages. To identify more potent silencing molecules we also compared the efficacy, in terms of potency and duration of action, of canonical versus Dicer-substrate siRNAs for two previously identified effective viral motifs. Dicer-substrate siRNAs showed equivalent or better potency than canonical siRNAs for the target sites investigated, and may be a more appropriate molecule for in vivo use. Combined, these data inform the potential therapeutic application of antiviral RNAi against FIPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip McDonagh
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Building B14, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Paul A Sheehy
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Building B19, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jacqueline M Norris
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Building B14, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Ma H, Dallas A, Ilves H, Shorenstein J, MacLachlan I, Klumpp K, Johnston BH. Formulated minimal-length synthetic small hairpin RNAs are potent inhibitors of hepatitis C virus in mice with humanized livers. Gastroenterology 2014; 146:63-6.e5. [PMID: 24076507 PMCID: PMC3896324 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Revised: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Short synthetic hairpin RNAs (sshRNAs) (SG220 and SG273) that target the internal ribosome entry site of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) were formulated into lipid nanoparticles and administered intravenously to HCV-infected urokinase plasminogen activator-severe combined immunodeficient mice with livers repopulated with human hepatocytes (humanized livers). Weekly administration of 2.5 mg/kg of each sshRNA for 2 weeks resulted in a maximal mean reduction in viral load of 2.5 log10 from baseline. The viral load remained reduced by more than 90% at 14 days after the last dose was given. The sshRNAs were well tolerated and did not significantly increase liver enzyme levels. These findings indicate the in vivo efficacy of a synthetic RNA inhibitor against the HCV genome in reducing HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Ma
- Hoffmann-La Roche, Nutley, New Jersey
| | | | | | | | - Ian MacLachlan
- Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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8
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Qureshi A, Thakur N, Kumar M. VIRsiRNApred: a web server for predicting inhibition efficacy of siRNAs targeting human viruses. J Transl Med 2013; 11:305. [PMID: 24330765 PMCID: PMC3878835 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-11-305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selection of effective viral siRNA is an indispensable step in the development of siRNA based antiviral therapeutics. Despite immense potential, a viral siRNA efficacy prediction algorithm is still not available. Moreover, performances of the existing general mammalian siRNA efficacy predictors are not satisfactory for viral siRNAs. Therefore, we have developed "VIRsiRNApred" a support vector machine (SVM) based method for predicting the efficacy of viral siRNA. METHODS In the present study, we have employed a new dataset of 1725 viral siRNAs with experimentally verified quantitative efficacies tested under heterogeneous experimental conditions and targeting as many as 37 important human viruses including HIV, Influenza, HCV, HBV, SARS etc. These siRNAs were divided into training (T1380) and validation (V345) datasets. Important siRNA sequence features including mono to penta nucleotide frequencies, binary pattern, thermodynamic properties and secondary structure were employed for model development. RESULTS During 10-fold cross validation on T1380 using hybrid approach, we achieved a maximum Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) of 0.55 between predicted and actual efficacy of viral siRNAs. On V345 independent dataset, our best model achieved a maximum correlation of 0.50 while existing general siRNA prediction methods showed PCC from 0.05 to 0.18. However, using leave one out cross validation PCC was improved to 0.58 and 0.55 on training and validation datasets respectively. SVM performed better than other machine learning techniques used like ANN, KNN and REP Tree. CONCLUSION VIRsiRNApred is the first algorithm for predicting inhibition efficacy of viral siRNAs which is developed using experimentally verified viral siRNAs. We hope this algorithm would be useful in predicting highly potent viral siRNA to aid siRNA based antiviral therapeutics development. The web server is freely available at http://crdd.osdd.net/servers/virsirnapred/.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manoj Kumar
- Bioinformatics Centre, Institute of Microbial Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Sector 39-A, Chandigarh 160036, India.
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9
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Hanning JE, Groves IJ, Pett MR, Coleman N. Depletion of polycistronic transcripts using short interfering RNAs: cDNA synthesis method affects levels of non-targeted genes determined by quantitative PCR. Virol J 2013; 10:159. [PMID: 23693071 PMCID: PMC3685557 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-10-159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are often used to deplete viral polycistronic transcripts, such as those encoded by human papillomavirus (HPV). There are conflicting data in the literature concerning how siRNAs targeting one HPV gene can affect levels of other genes in the polycistronic transcripts. We hypothesised that the conflict might be partly explained by the method of cDNA synthesis used prior to transcript quantification. Findings We treated HPV16-positive cervical keratinocytes with siRNAs targeting the HPV16 E7 gene and used quantitative PCR to compare transcript levels of E7 with those of E6 and E2, viral genes located upstream and downstream of the target site respectively. We compared our findings from cDNA generated using oligo-dT primers alone with those from cDNA generated using a combination of random hexamer and oligo-dT primers. Our data show that when polycistronic transcripts are targeted by siRNAs, there is a period when untranslatable cleaved mRNA upstream of the siRNA binding site remains detectable by PCR, if cDNA is generated using random hexamer primers. Such false indications of mRNA abundance are avoided using oligo-dT primers. The period corresponds to the time taken for siRNA activity and degradation of the cleaved transcripts. Genes downstream of the siRNA binding site are detectable during this interval, regardless of how the cDNA is generated. Conclusions These data emphasise the importance of the cDNA synthesis method used when measuring transcript abundance following siRNA depletion of polycistronic transcripts. They provide a partial explanation for erroneous reports suggesting that siRNAs targeting HPV E7 can have gene-specific effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Hanning
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
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Jiang L, Zhao P, Cheng T, Sun Q, Peng Z, Dang Y, Wu X, Wang G, Jin S, Lin P, Xia Q. A transgenic animal with antiviral properties that might inhibit multiple stages of infection. Antiviral Res 2013; 98:171-3. [PMID: 23466668 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2013.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is the primary pathogen of silkworms, causing severe economic losses in sericulture. To create antiviral silkworm strains, we constructed a transgenic vector in which the dsRNA for five tandem BmNPV genes was controlled by the BmNPV hr3 enhancer and IE1 promoter. The antivirus gene Bmlipase-1 was driven by B. mori midgut-specific promoter P2. Transgenic strains (SW-H) were generated via embryo microinjection using the practical silkworm strain SW. After infection with a high dose of BmNPV, the survival rates of SW-H and non-transgenic SW were 64% and 13%, respectively. SW-H could be the first transgenic animal that is highly antiviral and that might inhibit the virus at multiple stages of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
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Comparison of factors that may affect the inhibitory efficacy of transgenic RNAi targeting of baculoviral genes in silkworm, Bombyx mori. Antiviral Res 2013; 97:255-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Libri V, Miesen P, van Rij RP, Buck AH. Regulation of microRNA biogenesis and turnover by animals and their viruses. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:3525-44. [PMID: 23354060 PMCID: PMC3771402 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1257-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Revised: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a ubiquitous component of gene regulatory networks that modulate the precise amounts of proteins expressed in a cell. Despite their small size, miRNA genes contain various recognition elements that enable specificity in when, where and to what extent they are expressed. The importance of precise control of miRNA expression is underscored by functional studies in model organisms and by the association between miRNA mis-expression and disease. In the last decade, identification of the pathways by which miRNAs are produced, matured and turned-over has revealed many aspects of their biogenesis that are subject to regulation. Studies in viral systems have revealed a range of mechanisms by which viruses target these pathways through viral proteins or non-coding RNAs in order to regulate cellular gene expression. In parallel, a field of study has evolved around the activation and suppression of antiviral RNA interference (RNAi) by viruses. Virus encoded suppressors of RNAi can impact miRNA biogenesis in cases where miRNA and small interfering RNA pathways converge. Here we review the literature on the mechanisms by which miRNA biogenesis and turnover are regulated in animals and the diverse strategies that viruses use to subvert or inhibit these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Libri
- Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK
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Abstract
Arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by biting arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and midges. These viruses replicate in both arthropods and vertebrates and are thus exposed to different antiviral responses in these organisms. RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific RNA degradation mechanism that has been shown to play a major role in the antiviral response against arboviruses in mosquitoes. Culicoides midges are important vectors of arboviruses, known to transmit pathogens of humans and livestock such as bluetongue virus (BTV) (Reoviridae), Oropouche virus (Bunyaviridae), and likely the recently discovered Schmallenberg virus (Bunyaviridae). In this study, we investigated whether Culicoides cells possess an antiviral RNAi response and whether this is effective against arboviruses, including those with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genomes, such as BTV. Using reporter gene-based assays, we established the presence of a functional RNAi response in Culicoides sonorensis-derived KC cells which is effective in inhibiting BTV infection. Sequencing of small RNAs from KC and Aedes aegypti-derived Aag2 cells infected with BTV or the unrelated Schmallenberg virus resulted in the production of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (viRNAs) of 21 nucleotides, similar to the viRNAs produced during arbovirus infections of mosquitoes. In addition, viRNA profiles strongly suggest that the BTV dsRNA genome is accessible to a Dicer-type nuclease. Thus, we show for the first time that midge cells target arbovirus replication by mounting an antiviral RNAi response mainly resembling that of other insect vectors of arboviruses.
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Romanovskaya A, Paavilainen H, Nygårdas M, Bamford DH, Hukkanen V, Poranen MM. Enzymatically produced pools of canonical and Dicer-substrate siRNA molecules display comparable gene silencing and antiviral activities against herpes simplex virus. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51019. [PMID: 23226452 PMCID: PMC3511422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi)-based sequence-specific gene silencing is applied to identify gene function and also possesses great potential for inhibiting virus replication both in animals and plants. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules are the inducers of gene silencing in the RNAi pathway but may also display immunostimulatory activities and promote apoptosis. Canonical siRNAs are 21 nucleotides (nt) in length and are loaded to the RNA Induced Silencing Complex when introduced into the cells, while longer siRNA molecules are first processed by endogenous Dicer and thus termed Dicer-substrate siRNA (DsiRNA). We have applied RNA polymerases from bacteriophages T7 and phi6 to make high-quality double-stranded RNA molecules that are specific for the UL29 gene of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The 653 nt long double-stranded RNA molecules were converted to siRNA and DsiRNA pools using Dicer enzymes originating from human or Giardia intestinalis, producing siRNAs of approximately 21 and 27 nt in length, respectively. Chemically synthesised 21 and 27 nt single-site siRNA targeting the UL29 were used as references. The impact of these siRNAs on cell viability, inflammatory responses, gene silencing, and anti-HSV activity were assayed in cells derived from human nervous system and skin. Both pools and the canonical single-site siRNAs displayed substantial antiviral activity resulting in four orders of magnitude reduction in virus titer. Notably, the pool of DsiRNAs caused lower immunostimulation than the pool of canonical siRNAs, whereas the immunostimulation effect was in relation to the length with the single-site siRNAs. Our results also propose differences in the processivity of the two Dicers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dennis H. Bamford
- Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Veijo Hukkanen
- Department of Virology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Minna M. Poranen
- Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
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Ramirez-Carvajal L, Long CR. Down-regulation of viral replication by lentiviral-mediated expression of short-hairpin RNAs against vesicular stomatitis virus ribonuclear complex genes. Antiviral Res 2012; 95:150-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Antiviral effects of small interfering RNA simultaneously inducing RNA interference and type 1 interferon in coxsackievirus myocarditis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56:3516-23. [PMID: 22508300 DOI: 10.1128/aac.06050-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiviral therapeutics are currently unavailable for treatment of coxsackievirus B3, which can cause life-threatening myocarditis. A modified small interfering RNA (siRNA) containing 5'-triphosphate, 3p-siRNA, was shown to induce RNA interference and interferon activation. We aimed to develop a potent antiviral treatment using CVB3-specific 3p-siRNA and to understand its underlying mechanisms. Virus-specific 3p-siRNA was superior to both conventional virus-specific siRNA with an empty hydroxyl group at the 5' end (OH-siRNA) and nonspecific 3p-siRNA in decreasing viral replication and subsequent cytotoxicity. A single administration of 3p-siRNA dramatically attenuated virus-associated pathological symptoms in mice with no signs of toxicity, and their body weights eventually reached the normal range. Myocardial inflammation and fibrosis were rare, and virus production was greatly reduced. A nonspecific 3p-siRNA showed relatively less protective effect under identical conditions, and a virus-specific OH-siRNA showed no protective effects. We confirmed that virus-specific 3p-siRNA simultaneously activated target-specific gene silencing and type I interferon signaling. We provide a clear proof of concept that coxsackievirus B3-specific 3p-siRNA has 2 distinct modes of action, which significantly enhance antiviral activities with minimal organ damage. This is the first direct demonstration of improved antiviral effects with an immunostimulatory virus-specific siRNA in coxsackievirus myocarditis, and this method could be applied to many virus-related diseases.
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Thakur N, Qureshi A, Kumar M. VIRsiRNAdb: a curated database of experimentally validated viral siRNA/shRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:D230-6. [PMID: 22139916 PMCID: PMC3245049 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr1147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Revised: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RNAi technology has been emerging as a potential modality to inhibit viruses during past decade. In literature a few siRNA databases have been reported that focus on targeting human and mammalian genes but experimentally validated viral siRNA databases are lacking. We have developed VIRsiRNAdb, a manually curated database having comprehensive details of 1358 siRNA/shRNA targeting viral genome regions. Further, wherever available, information regarding alternative efficacies of above 300 siRNAs derived from different assays has also been incorporated. Important fields included in the database are siRNA sequence, virus subtype, target genome region, cell type, target object, experimental assay, efficacy, off-target and siRNA matching with reference viral sequences. Database also provides the users with facilities of advance search, browsing, data submission, linking to external databases and useful siRNA analysis tools especially siTarAlign which align the siRNA with reference viral genomes or user defined sequences. VIRsiRNAdb contains extensive details of siRNA/shRNA targeting 42 important human viruses including influenza virus, hepatitis B virus, HPV and SARS Corona virus. VIRsiRNAdb would prove useful for researchers in picking up the best viral siRNA for antiviral therapeutics development and also for developing better viral siRNA design tools. The database is freely available at http://crdd.osdd.net/servers/virsirnadb.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manoj Kumar
- Bioinformatics Centre, Institute of Microbial Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Sector 39-A, Chandigarh-160036, India
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