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Ciudad CJ, Valiuska S, Rojas JM, Nogales-Altozano P, Aviñó A, Eritja R, Chillón M, Sevilla N, Noé V. Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen hairpins as a therapeutic tool for SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Biol Chem 2024:107884. [PMID: 39395809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Although COVID-19 pandemic was declared no longer a global emergency by the World Health Organization in May 2023, SARS-CoV-2 is still infecting people across the world. Many therapeutic oligonucleotides such as ASOs, siRNAs or CRISPR-based systems emerged as promising antiviral strategies for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. In this work we explored the inhibitory potential on SARS-CoV-2 replication of Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen Hairpins (PPRHs), CC1-PPRH and CC3-PPRH, targeting specific polypyrimidine sequences within the replicase and Spike regions, respectively, and previously validated for COVID-19 diagnosis. Both PPRHs bound to their target sequences in the viral genome with high affinity in the order of nM. In vitro, both PPRHs reduced viral replication by more than 92% when transfected into VERO-E6 cells 24 hours prior infection with SARS-CoV-2. In vivo intranasal administration of CC1-PPRH in K18-hACE2 mice expressing the human ACE receptor protected all the animals from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The properties of PPRHs position them as promising candidates for the development of novel therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Ciudad
- Department of Biochemistry & Physiology, School Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Simonas Valiuska
- Department of Biochemistry & Physiology, School Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Manuel Rojas
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal-CISA, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anna Aviñó
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ramón Eritja
- Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Chillón
- Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noemí Sevilla
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal-CISA, INIA, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Verónique Noé
- Department of Biochemistry & Physiology, School Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
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Panda K, Alagarasu K, Tagore R, Paingankar M, Kumar S, Jeengar MK, Cherian S, Parashar D. RNAi-Induced Gene Silencing against Chikungunya and COVID-19: What Have We Learned So Far, and What Is the Way Forward? Viruses 2024; 16:1489. [PMID: 39339965 PMCID: PMC11437507 DOI: 10.3390/v16091489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which small RNA molecules (such as small interfering RNAs or siRNAs) bind to specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs), leading to its degradation and inhibition of protein synthesis. Our studies have shown that RNAi can effectively silence genes involved in the replication of the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in cells. However, these investigations were performed only in laboratory settings and have yet to be tested in human clinical trials. Researchers need to conduct more research to determine the safety and efficacy of RNAi-based therapies as a therapeutic agent to treat viral infections. In this review, the history of evolution of siRNA as an inhibitor of protein synthesis, along with its current developments, is discussed based on our experience. Moreover, this review examines the hurdles and future implications associated with siRNA based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kingshuk Panda
- Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India; (K.P.); (K.A.); (R.T.); (M.P.); (S.K.); (M.K.J.)
| | - Kalichamy Alagarasu
- Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India; (K.P.); (K.A.); (R.T.); (M.P.); (S.K.); (M.K.J.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Rajarshee Tagore
- Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India; (K.P.); (K.A.); (R.T.); (M.P.); (S.K.); (M.K.J.)
| | - Mandar Paingankar
- Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India; (K.P.); (K.A.); (R.T.); (M.P.); (S.K.); (M.K.J.)
| | - Satyendra Kumar
- Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India; (K.P.); (K.A.); (R.T.); (M.P.); (S.K.); (M.K.J.)
| | - Manish Kumar Jeengar
- Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India; (K.P.); (K.A.); (R.T.); (M.P.); (S.K.); (M.K.J.)
| | - Sarah Cherian
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
- Bioinformatics Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India
| | - Deepti Parashar
- Dengue & Chikungunya Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune 411001, India; (K.P.); (K.A.); (R.T.); (M.P.); (S.K.); (M.K.J.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
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Oti VB, Idris A, McMillan NAJ. Intranasal antivirals against respiratory syncytial virus: the current therapeutic development landscape. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2024; 22:647-657. [PMID: 38973346 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2378185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes bronchiolitis and other respiratory issues in immunocompromised individuals, the elderly, and children. After six decades of research, we have only recently seen the approval of two RSV vaccines, Arexvy and Abrysvo. Direct-acting antivirals against RSV have been more difficult to develop with ribavirin and palivizumab giving very modest reductions in hospitalizations and no differences in mortality. Recently, nirsevimab was licensed and has proven to be much more effective when given prophylactically. These are delivered intravenously (IV) and intramuscularly (IM), but an intranasal (IN) antiviral has several advantages in terms of ease of use, lower resource need, and acting at the site of infection. AREAS COVERED In this paper, we review the available literature on the current pre-clinical research landscape of anti-RSV therapeutics tested for IN delivery. EXPERT OPINION As RSV is a respiratory virus that infects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, efforts are focused on developing a therapeutic that can be delivered via the nasal route. The rationale is to directly target the replicating virus with an obvious respiratory tract tropism. This approach will not only pave the way for a nasal delivery approach aimed at reducing respiratory viral illness but also controlling aerosol virus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Baba Oti
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adi Idris
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nigel A J McMillan
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
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Tolksdorf B, Heinze J, Niemeyer D, Röhrs V, Berg J, Drosten C, Kurreck J. Development of a highly stable, active small interfering RNA with broad activity against SARS-CoV viruses. Antiviral Res 2024; 226:105879. [PMID: 38599550 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Treatment options for COVID-19 remain limited. Here, we report the optimization of an siRNA targeting the highly conserved leader region of SARS-CoV-2. The siRNA was rendered nuclease resistant by the introduction of modified nucleotides without loss of activity. Importantly, the siRNA also retained its inhibitory activity against the emerged omicron sublineage variant BA.2, which occurred after the siRNA was designed and is resistant to other antiviral agents such as antibodies. In addition, we show that a second highly active siRNA designed against the viral 5'-UTR can be applied as a rescue molecule, to minimize the spread of escape mutations. We therefore consider our siRNA-based molecules to be promising broadly active candidates for the treatment of current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Tolksdorf
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Julian Heinze
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Daniela Niemeyer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Viola Röhrs
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Johanna Berg
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Jens Kurreck
- Chair of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, 10623, Germany.
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Idris A, Shrivastava S, Supramaniam A, Ray RM, Shevchenko G, Acharya D, McMillan NA, Morris KV. Extracellular Vesicles Loaded with Long Antisense RNAs Repress Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection. Nucleic Acid Ther 2024; 34:101-108. [PMID: 38530082 PMCID: PMC11296208 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2023.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Long antisense RNAs (asRNAs) have been observed to repress HIV and other virus expression in a manner that is refractory to viral evolution. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease, has a distinct ability to evolve resistance around antibody targeting, as was evident from the emergence of various SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody variants. Importantly, the effectiveness of current antivirals is waning due to the rapid emergence of new variants of concern, more recently the omicron variant. One means of avoiding the emergence of viral resistance is by using long asRNA to target SARS-CoV-2. Similar work has proven successful with HIV targeting by long asRNA. In this study, we describe a long asRNA targeting SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene and the ability to deliver this RNA in extracellular vesicles (EVs) to repress virus expression. The observations presented in this study suggest that EV-delivered asRNAs are one means to targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is both effective and broadly applicable as a means to control viral expression in the absence of mutation. This is the first demonstration of the use of engineered EVs to deliver long asRNA payloads for antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Idris
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Brisbane, Australia
- Centre for Immunology and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Surya Shrivastava
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Aroon Supramaniam
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Roslyn M. Ray
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Galina Shevchenko
- Center for Gene Therapy, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute and Hematological Malignancy and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at the City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Dhruba Acharya
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nigel A.J. McMillan
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kevin V. Morris
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
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Idris A, Supramaniam A, Tayyar Y, Kelly G, McMillan NAJ, Morris KV. An intranasally delivered ultra-conserved siRNA prophylactically represses SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung and nasal cavity. Antiviral Res 2024; 222:105815. [PMID: 38246206 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
There remains a striking overall mortality burden of COVID-19 worldwide. Given the waning effectiveness of current SARS-CoV-2 antivirals due to the rapid emergence of new variants of concern (VOC), we employed a direct-acting molecular therapy approach using gene silencing RNA interference (RNAi) technology. In this study, we developed and screened several ultra-conserved small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) before selecting one potent siRNA candidate for pre-clinical in vivo testing. This non-immunostimulatory, anti-SARS-CoV-2 siRNA candidate maintains its antiviral activity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 VOC and works effectively as a single agent. For the first time, significant antiviral effects in both the lungs and nasal cavities of SARS-CoV-2 infected mice were observed when this siRNA candidate was delivered intranasally (IN) as a prophylactic agent with the aid of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Importantly, a pre-exposure prophylactic IN-delivered anti-SARS-CoV-2 siRNA antiviral that can ameliorate viral replication in the nasal cavity could potentially prevent aerosol spread of respiratory viruses. An IN delivery approach would allow for the development of a direct-acting nasal spray approach that could be self-administered prophylactically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Idris
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Immunlogy and Infection Control, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Aroon Supramaniam
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yaman Tayyar
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; Prorenata Biotech, Molendinar, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Kelly
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nigel A J McMillan
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin V Morris
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Genomics and Personalized Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
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7
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Jia Y, Wang X, Li L, Li F, Zhang J, Liang XJ. Lipid Nanoparticles Optimized for Targeting and Release of Nucleic Acid. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305300. [PMID: 37547955 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently the most promising clinical nucleic acids drug delivery vehicles. LNPs prevent the degradation of cargo nucleic acids during blood circulation. Upon entry into the cell, specific components of the lipid nanoparticles can promote the endosomal escape of nucleic acids. These are the basic properties of lipid nanoparticles as nucleic acid carriers. As LNPs exhibit hepatic aggregation characteristics, enhancing targeting out of the liver is a crucial way to improve LNPs administrated in vivo. Meanwhile, endosomal escape of nucleic acids loaded in LNPs is often considered inadequate, and therefore, much effort is devoted to enhancing the intracellular release efficiency of nucleic acids. Here, different strategies to efficiently deliver nucleic acid delivery from LNPs are concluded and their mechanisms are investigated. In addition, based on the information on LNPs that are in clinical trials or have completed clinical trials, the issues that are necessary to be approached in the clinical translation of LNPs are discussed, which it is hoped will shed light on the development of LNP nucleic acid drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Jia
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Xiuguang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
| | - Luwei Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
| | - Fangzhou Li
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Jinchao Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of HeBei University, Baoding, 071002, P. R. China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, No. 11, First North Road, Zhongguancun, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
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Bowden-Reid E, Ledger S, Zhang Y, Di Giallonardo F, Aggarwal A, Stella AO, Akerman A, Milogiannakis V, Walker G, Rawlinson W, Turville S, Kelleher AD, Ahlenstiel C. Novel siRNA therapeutics demonstrate multi-variant efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. Antiviral Res 2023; 217:105677. [PMID: 37478918 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus that causes COVID-19 disease, with an estimated global mortality of approximately 2%. While global response strategies, which are predominantly reliant on regular vaccinations, have shifted from zero COVID to living with COVID, there is a distinct lack of broad-spectrum direct acting antiviral therapies that maintain efficacy across evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. This is of most concern for immunocompromised and immunosuppressed individuals who lack robust immune responses following vaccination, and others at risk for severe COVID and long-COVID. RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics induced by short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) offer a promising antiviral treatment option, with broad-spectrum antiviral capabilities unparalleled by current antiviral therapeutics and a high genetic barrier to antiviral escape. Here we describe novel siRNAs, targeting highly conserved regions of the SARS-CoV-1 and 2 genome of both human and animal species, with multi-variant antiviral potency against eight SARS-CoV-2 lineages - Ancestral VIC01, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Zeta, Kappa and Omicron. Treatment with our siRNA resulted in significant protection against virus-mediated cell death in vitro, with >97% cell survival (P < 0.0001), and corresponding reductions of viral nucleocapsid RNA of up to 99.9% (P < 0.0001). When compared to antivirals; Sotrovimab and Remdesivir, the siRNAs demonstrated a more potent antiviral effect and similarly, when multiplexing siRNAs to target different viral regions simultaneously, an increased antiviral effect was observed compared to individual siRNA treatments (P < 0.0001). These results demonstrate the potential for a highly effective broad-spectrum direct acting antiviral against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, including variants resistant to antivirals and vaccine generated neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Scott Ledger
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Gregory Walker
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - William Rawlinson
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Virology Research Laboratory, Serology and Virology Division (SAViD), Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart Turville
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; RNA Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anthony D Kelleher
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; RNA Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chantelle Ahlenstiel
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; RNA Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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