Sequence-Specific Cleavage of BM2 Gene Transcript of Influenza B Virus by 10-23 Catalytic Motif Containing DNA Enzymes Significantly Inhibits Viral RNA Translation and Replication

Substantial Antiviral Potential of Deoxyribozymes Fixed on Anatase Nanoparticles Against Influenza A Viruses in vitro and in vivo

Influenza A viruses (IAV) are a high threat to humanity because of a lack of proper effective antiviral drugs and resistance of viruses to existing vaccines. We describe the sufficient anti-IAV effect of Ans/PL-Dz nanocomposites that contain deoxyribozymes (Dz) immobilized on anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (Ans) through polylysine linker (PL). The Dz-containing nanocomposites appear to be more efficient than the Ans/PL-ODN nanocomposites that contain common oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) targeted to the same RNA regions of the viral genome. The simultaneous use of nanocomposites that contain Dz and ODN, which are targeted to different sites of viral RNA provides a higher overall effect than the independent action of each of them (synergism). The inhibition of IAV with the proposed nanocomposites was shown to be effective, sequence-specific, and dose-dependent. The most efficient Ans/PL-Dz nanocomposite exhibited a high antiviral effect in vivo on mice models. The efficiency of IAV inhibition with this nanocomposite in vitro and in vivo is higher than that for the approved antiflu drug oseltamivir. The results open the prospect of creating a unique antiviral agent suitable for IAV suppression.

Antiviral options and therapeutics against influenza: history, latest developments and future prospects

Drugs and chemotherapeutics have helped to manage devastating impacts of infectious diseases since the concept of 'magic bullet'. The World Health Organization estimates about 650,000 deaths due to respiratory diseases linked to seasonal influenza each year. Pandemic influenza, on the other hand, is the most feared health disaster and probably would have greater and immediate impact on humanity than climate change. While countermeasures, biosecurity and vaccination remain the most effective preventive strategies against this highly infectious and communicable disease, antivirals are nonetheless essential to mitigate clinical manifestations following infection and to reduce devastating complications and mortality. Continuous emergence of the novel strains of rapidly evolving influenza viruses, some of which are intractable, require new approaches towards influenza chemotherapeutics including optimization of existing anti-infectives and search for novel therapies. Effective management of influenza infections depend on the safety and efficacy of selected anti-infective in-vitro studies and their clinical applications. The outcomes of therapies are also dependent on understanding diversity in patient groups, co-morbidities, co-infections and combination therapies. In this extensive review, we have discussed the challenges of influenza epidemics and pandemics and discoursed the options for anti-viral chemotherapies for effective management of influenza virus infections.

A promising nucleic acid therapy drug: DNAzymes and its delivery system

Based on the development of nucleic acid therapeutic drugs, DNAzymes obtained through in vitro selection technology in 1994 are gradually being sought. DNAzymes are single-stranded DNA molecules with catalytic function, which specifically cleave RNA under the action of metal ions. Various in vivo and in vitro models have recently demonstrated that DNAzymes can target related genes in cancer, cardiovascular disease, bacterial and viral infection, and central nervous system disease. Compared with other nucleic acid therapy drugs, DNAzymes have gained more attention due to their excellent cutting efficiency, high stability, and low cost. Here, We first briefly reviewed the development and characteristics of DNAzymes, then discussed disease-targeting inhibition model of DNAzymes, hoping to provide new insights and ways for disease treatment. Finally, DNAzymes were still subject to some restrictions in practical applications, including low cell uptake efficiency, nuclease degradation and interference from other biological matrices. We discussed the latest delivery strategy of DNAzymes, among which lipid nanoparticles have recently received widespread attention due to the successful delivery of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, which provides the possibility for the subsequent clinical application of DNAzymes. In addition, the future development of DNAzymes was prospected.

Emerging Influenza D Virus Threat: What We Know so Far!

Influenza viruses, since time immemorial, have been the major respiratory pathogen known to infect a wide variety of animals, birds and reptiles with established lineages. They belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae and cause acute respiratory illness often during local outbreaks or seasonal epidemics and occasionally during pandemics. Recent studies have identified a new genus within the Orthomyxoviridae family. This newly identified pathogen, D/swine/Oklahoma/1334/2011 (D/OK), first identified in pigs with influenza-like illness was classified as the influenza D virus (IDV) which is distantly related to the previously characterized human influenza C virus. Several other back-to-back studies soon suggested cattle as the natural reservoir and possible involvement of IDV in the bovine respiratory disease complex was established. Not much is known about its likelihood to cause disease in humans, but it definitely poses a potential threat as an emerging pathogen in cattle-workers. Here, we review the evolution, epidemiology, virology and pathobiology of influenza D virus and the possibility of transmission among various hosts and potential to cause human disease.

Advancements in Nucleic Acid Based Therapeutics against Respiratory Viral Infections

Several viruses cause pulmonary infections due to their shared tropism with cells of the respiratory tract. These respiratory problems due to viral infection become a public health concern due to rapid transmission through air/aerosols or via direct-indirect contact with infected persons. In addition, the cross-species transmission causes alterations to viral genetic makeup thereby increasing the risk of emergence of pathogens with new and more potent infectivity. With the introduction of effective nucleic acid-based technologies, post translational gene silencing (PTGS) is being increasingly used to silence viral gene targets and has shown promising approach towards management of many viral infections. Since several host factors are also utilized by these viruses during various stages of infection, silencing these host factors can also serve as promising therapeutic tool. Several nucleic acid-based technologies such as short interfering RNAs (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotides, aptamers, deoxyribozymes (DNAzymes), and ribozymes have been studied and used against management of respiratory viruses. These therapeutic nucleic acids can be efficiently delivered through the airways. Studies have also shown efficacy of gene therapy in clinical trials against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as models of respiratory diseases including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), measles and influenza. In this review, we have summarized some of the recent advancements made in the area of nucleic acid based therapeutics and highlighted the emerging roles of nucleic acids in the management of some of the severe respiratory viral infections. We have also focused on the methods of their delivery and associated challenges.

The emerging influenza virus threat: status and new prospects for its therapy and control

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are zoonotic pathogens that cause yearly outbreaks with high rates of morbidity and fatality. The virus continuously acquires point mutations while circulating in several hosts, ranging from aquatic birds to mammals, including humans. The wide range of hosts provides influenza A viruses greater chances of genetic re-assortment, leading to the emergence of zoonotic strains and occasional pandemics that have a severe impact on human life. Four major influenza pandemics have been reported to date, and health authorities worldwide have shown tremendous progress in efforts to control epidemics and pandemics. Here, we primarily discuss the pathogenesis of influenza virus type A, its epidemiology, pandemic potential, current status of antiviral drugs and vaccines, and ways to effectively manage the disease during a crisis.

Blue-white screening as a new readout for deoxyribozyme activity in bacterial cells

Demonstration of 10–23 deoxyribozyme activity in viable E. coli using blue-white screening as the readout system.

Potent Intracellular Knock-Down of Influenza A Virus M2 Gene Transcript by DNAzymes Considerably Reduces Viral Replication in Host Cells

Influenza A virus has been known to be an important respiratory pathogen and cause of several epidemics and devastating pandemics leading to loss of life and resources across the globe. The M2 ion channel protein is highly conserved and essentially required during the trafficking, assembly, and budding processes of virus, thus an attractive target for designing antiviral drugs. We designed several 10-23 DNAzymes (Dz) targeting different regions of the M2 gene and analyzed their ability to specifically cleave the target RNA in both cell-free system as well as in cell culture using transient transfections. Dz114, among several others, directed against the predicted single-stranded bulge regions showed 70% inhibition of M2 gene expression validated by PCR and Western blot analysis. The activity was dependent on Mg(2+) (10-50 mM) in a dose-dependent manner. The mutant-Dz against M2 gene showed no down-regulation thereby illustrating high level of specificity of designed Dz114 towards the target RNA. Our findings suggest that Dz may be used as potential inhibitor of viral RNA replication and can be explored further for development of an effective therapeutic agent against influenza infection. These catalytic nucleic acid molecules may further be investigated as an alternative to the traditional influenza vaccines that require annual formulation.

DNA enzymes as potential therapeutics: towards clinical application of 10-23 DNAzymes

INTRODUCTION

Ongoing studies on the inhibition of gene expression at the mRNA level have identified several types of specific inhibitors such as antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, ribozymes and DNAzymes (Dz). After its discovery in 1997, the 10-23 Dz (which can cleave RNA efficiently and site-specifically, has flexible design, is independent from cell mechanisms, does not require expensive chemical modifications for effective use in vivo) has been employed to downregulate a range of therapeutically important genes. Recently, 10-23 Dzs have taken their first steps into clinical trials.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses predominantly on Dz applications as potential antiviral, antibacterial, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agents as well as for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and diseases of CNS, summarizing results of their clinical trials up to the present day.

EXPERT OPINION

In comparison with antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, Dzs do not usually show off-target effects due to their high specificity and lack of immunogenicity in vivo. As more results of clinical trials carried out so far are gradually becoming available, Dzs may turn out to be safe and well-tolerated therapeutics in humans. Therefore, there is a good chance that we may witness a deoxyribozyme drug reaching the clinic in the near future.

Non-coding RNAs as direct and indirect modulators of epigenetic mechanism regulation of cardiac fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac fibroblast activation is a pivotal cellular event in cardiac fibrosis. Numerous studies have indicated that epigenetic modifications control cardiac fibroblast activation. Greater knowledge of the role of epigenetic modifications could improve understanding of the cardiac fibrosis pathogenesis.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this review is to describe the present knowledge about the important role of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts in epigenetic gene regulation in cardiac fibrosis and looks ahead on new perspectives of epigenetic modification research. Furthermore, we will discuss examples of ncRNAs that interact with histone modification or DNA methylation to regulate gene expression.

EXPERT OPINION

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) modulate several important aspects of function. Recently, some studies continue to find novel pathways, including the important role of ncRNA transcripts in epigenetic gene regulation. Targeting the miRNAs and lncRNAs can be a promising direction in cardiac fibrosis treatment. We discuss new perspectives of ncRNAs that interact with histone modification or DNA methylation to regulate gene expression, others that are targets of these epigenetic mechanisms. The emerging recognition of the diverse functions of ncRNAs in regulating gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms suggests that they may represent new targets for therapeutic intervention.

Gene silencing: a therapeutic approach to combat influenza virus infections

ABSTRACT 

Selective gene silencing technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi) and nucleic acid enzymes have shown therapeutic potential for treating viral infections. Influenza virus is one of the major public health concerns around the world and its management is challenging due to a rapid increase in antiviral resistance. Influenza vaccine also has its limitations due to the emergence of new strains that may escape the immunity developed by the previous year's vaccine. Antiviral drugs are the primary mode of prevention and control against a pandemic and there is an urgency to develop novel antiviral strategies against influenza virus. In this review, we discuss the potential utility of several gene silencing mechanisms and their prophylactic and therapeutic potential against the influenza virus.