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Petrov N, Stoyanova M, Stoyanova A, Nikolova I, Grozdanov P, Galabov A. Gene silencing of VP1 gene of coxsackievirus B3 neurotropic strain Nancy by dsRNAs and siRNAs. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2022.2082320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Petrov
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Natural Sciences, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Mariya Stoyanova
- Department of Plant Protection, Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “N. Pushkarov”, Agricultural Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Adelina Stoyanova
- Department of Virology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ivanka Nikolova
- Department of Virology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Petar Grozdanov
- Department of Virology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Angel Galabov
- Department of Virology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Thangamani L, Balasubramanian B, Easwaran M, Natarajan J, Pushparaj K, Meyyazhagan A, Piramanayagam S. GalNAc-siRNA conjugates: Prospective tools on the frontier of anti-viral therapeutics. Pharmacol Res 2021; 173:105864. [PMID: 34474100 PMCID: PMC8405237 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The growing use of short-interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutics for viral diseases reflects the most recent innovations in anti-viral vaccines and drugs. These drugs play crucial roles in the fight against many hitherto incurable diseases, the causes, pathophysiologies, and molecular processes of which remain unknown. Targeted liver drug delivery systems are in clinical trials. The receptor-mediated endocytosis approach involving the abundant asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs) on the surfaces of liver cells show great promise. We here review N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-siRNA conjugates that treat viral diseases such as hepatitis B infection, but we also mention that novel, native conjugate-based, targeted siRNA anti-viral drugs may also cure several life-threatening diseases such as hemorrhagic cystitis, multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronaviruses and human herpes virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lokesh Thangamani
- Computational Biology Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Murugesh Easwaran
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Jeyakumar Natarajan
- Data Mining and Text Mining Laboratory, Department of Bioinformatics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Karthika Pushparaj
- Department of Zoology, School of Biosciences, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore 641043, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arun Meyyazhagan
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru 560029, Karnataka, India.
| | - Shanmughavel Piramanayagam
- Computational Biology Lab, Department of Bioinformatics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Khanna M, Gautam A, Rajput R, Sharma L. Natural Products as a Paradigm for the Treatment of Coxsackievirus - induced Myocarditis. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:607-616. [PMID: 31995007 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200129094516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), a member of the Picornaviridae family, is considered to be one of the most important infectious agents to cause virus-induced myocarditis. Despite improvements in studying viral pathology, structure and molecular biology, as well as diagnosis of this disease, there is still no virus-specific drug in clinical use. Structural and nonstructural proteins produced during the coxsackievirus life cycle have been identified as potential targets for blocking viral replication at the step of attachment, entry, uncoating, RNA and protein synthesis by synthetic or natural compounds. Moreover, WIN (for Winthrop) compounds and application of nucleic-acid based strategies were shown to target viral capsid, entry and viral proteases, but have not reached to the clinical trials as a successful antiviral agent. There is an urgent need for diverse molecular libraries for phenotype-selective and high-throughput screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Khanna
- Department of Microbiology (Virology Unit), Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India
| | - Anju Gautam
- Department of Microbiology (Virology Unit), Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India
| | - Roopali Rajput
- Department of Microbiology (Virology Unit), Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India
| | - Latika Sharma
- Department of Microbiology (Virology Unit), Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India
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4
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Zhao G, Zhang HM, Qiu Y, Ye X, Yang D. Cleavage of Desmosomal Cadherins Promotes γ-Catenin Degradation and Benefits Wnt Signaling in Coxsackievirus B3-Induced Destruction of Cardiomyocytes. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:767. [PMID: 32457708 PMCID: PMC7225294 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is the primary etiologic agent of viral myocarditis, a major heart disease that occurs predominantly in children and young adolescents. In the heart, intercalated disks (ICD) are important structural formations that connect adjacent cardiomyocytes to maintain cardiac architecture and mediate signal communication. Deficiency in ICD components, such as desmosome proteins, leads to heart dysfunction. γ-catenin, a component protein of desmosomes, normally binds directly to desmocollin-2 and desmoglein-2. In this study, we found that CVB3 infection downregulated γ-catenin at the protein level but not the mRNA level in mouse HL-1 cardiomyocytes. We further found that this reduction of γ-catenin protein is a result of ubiquitin proteasome-mediated degradation, since the addition of proteasome inhibitor MG132 inhibited γ-catenin downregulation. In addition, we found that desmocollin-2 and desmoglein-2 were cleaved by both viral protease 3C and virus-activated cellular caspase, respectively. These cleavages led to the release of bound γ-catenin from the desmosome into the cytosol, resulting in rapid degradation of γ-catenin. Since γ-catenin shares high sequence homology with β-catenin in binding the TCF/LEF transcription factor, we further studied the effect of γ-catenin degradation on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Luciferase assay showed that γ-catenin expression inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling. This finding was substantiated by qPCR to show that overexpression of γ-catenin downregulated transcription of Wnt signal target genes, c-myc and MMP9, while silencing γ-catenin upregulated these target genes. Finally, we demonstrated that γ-catenin expression inhibited CVB3 replication. In search for the underlying mechanism, we found that silencing γ-catenin caused down-regulation of interferon-β and its stimulated antiviral genes MDA5, MAVS, and ISG15. Taken together, our results indicate, for the first time, that CVB3 infection causes cardiomyocyte death through, at least in part, direct damage to the desmosome structure and reduction of γ-catenin protein, which in return promotes Wnt/β-catenin signaling and downregulates interferon-β stimulated immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangze Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Huifang M Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ye Qiu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Decheng Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Zhang HM, Qiu Y, Zhao G, Wang H, Chen YT, Aghakeshmiri S, Hanson P, Yang D. Cleavage and degradation of EDEM1 promotes coxsackievirus B3 replication via ATF6a-mediated unfolded protein response signalling. Cell Microbiol 2020; 22:e13198. [PMID: 32083795 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Our previous study of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced unfolded protein responses (UPR) found that overexpression of ATF6a enhances CVB3 VP1 capsid protein production and increases viral particle formation. These findings implicate that ATF6a signalling benefits CVB3 replication. However, the mechanism by which ATF6a signalling is transduced to promote virus replication is unclear. In this study, using a Tet-On inducible ATF6a HeLa cell line, we found that ATF6a signalling downregulated the protein expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) degradation-enhancing α-mannosidase-like protein 1 (EDEM1), resulting in accumulation of CVB3 VP1 protein; in contrast, expression of a dominant negative ATF6a had the opposite effect. Furthermore, we found that EDEM1 was cleaved by both CVB3 protease 3C and virus-activated caspase and subsequently degraded via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. However, overexpression of EDEM1 caused VP1 degradation, likely via a glycosylation-independent and ubiquitin-lysosome pathway. Finally, we demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of EDEM1 increased VP1 accumulation and thus CVB3 replication. This is the first study to report the ER protein quality control of non-enveloped RNA virus and reveals a novel mechanism by which CVB3 evades host ER quality control pathways through cleavage and degradation of the UPR target gene EDEM1, to ultimately benefit its own replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang M Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ye Qiu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Guangze Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yankuan T Chen
- The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sana Aghakeshmiri
- The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paul Hanson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Decheng Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,The Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
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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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Petrov N, Stoyanova M, Galabov A. Inhibition of Coxsackievirus B3 cardiotropic strain Woodruff replication by silencing essential viral genes. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2019.1680318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Petrov
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Natural Sciences, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Mariya Stoyanova
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection ‘Nikola Pushkarov’, Agricultural Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Angel Galabov
- Department of Virology, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
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MicroRNA Expression Profile of Whole Blood Is Altered in Adenovirus-Infected Pneumonia Children. Mediators Inflamm 2018; 2018:2320640. [PMID: 30405317 PMCID: PMC6204172 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2320640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human adenovirus (Adv) infection is responsible for most community-acquired pneumonia in infants and children, which results in significant morbidity and mortality in children every year. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with viral replication and host immune response. Knowing the miRNA expression profile will help understand the role of miRNAs in modulating the host response to adenovirus infection and possibly improve the diagnosis of adenovirus-infected pneumonia. In our study, total RNA extracted from whole blood of adenovirus-infected pneumonia children and healthy controls were analyzed by small RNA deep sequencing. Expression profiles of whole blood microRNAs were altered and distinctly different in adenovirus-infected children. The top 3 upregulated miRNA (hsa-miR-127-3p, hsa-miR-493-5p, and hsa-miR-409-3p) were identified in adenovirus-infected children and provided a clear distinction between infected and healthy individuals. Potential host target genes were predicated and validated by qRT-PCR to study the impact of microRNAs on the host genes. Most of the target genes were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway and innate immune response. These highly upregulated microRNAs may have crucial roles in Adv pathogenesis and are potential biomarkers for adenovirus-infected pneumonia.
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Liu YY, Chen LJ, Zhong Y, Shen MX, Ma N, Liu BY, Luo F, Hou W, Yang ZQ, Xiong HR. Specific interference shRNA-expressing plasmids inhibit Hantaan virus infection in vitro and in vivo. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2016; 37:497-504. [PMID: 26972493 PMCID: PMC4820803 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2015.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the antiviral effects of vectors expressing specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against Hantaan virus (HTNV) infection in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Based on the effects of 4 shRNAs targeting different regions of HTNV genomic RNA on viral replication, the most effective RNA interference fragments of the S and M genes were constructed in pSilencer-3.0-H1 vectors, and designated pSilencer-S and pSilencer-M, respectively. The antiviral effect of pSilencer-S/M against HTNV was evaluated in both HTNV-infected Vero-E6 cells and mice. RESULTS In HTNV-infected Vero-E6 cells, pSilencer-S and pSilencer-M targeted the viral nucleocapsid proteins and envelope glycoproteins, respectively, as revealed in the immunofluorescence assay. Transfection with pSilencer-S or pSilencer-M (1, 2, 4 μg) markedly inhibited the viral antigen expression in dose- and time-dependent manners. Transfection with either plasmid (2 μg) significantly decreased HTNV-RNA level at 3 day postinfectin (dpi) and the progeny virus titer at 5 dpi. In mice infected with lethal doses of HTNV, intraperitoneal injection of pSilencer-S or pSilencer-M (30 μg) considerably increased the survival rates and mean time to death, and significantly reduced the mean virus yields and viral RNA level, and alleviated virus-induced pathological lesions in lungs, brains and kidneys. CONCLUSION Plasmid-based shRNAs potently inhibit HTNV replication in vitro and in vivo. Our results provide a basis for development of shRNA as therapeutics for HTNV infections in humans.
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Targeting Highly Structured RNA by Cooperative Action of siRNAs and Helper Antisense Oligomers in Living Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136395. [PMID: 26308932 PMCID: PMC4556297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA target accessibility is one of the most important factors limiting the efficiency of RNA interference-mediated RNA degradation. However, targeting RNA viruses in their poorly accessible, highly structured regions can be advantageous because these regions are often conserved in sequence and thus less prone to viral escape. We developed an experimental strategy to attack highly structured RNA by means of pairs of specifically designed small interfering RNAs and helper antisense oligonucleotides using the 5’ untranslated region (5’UTR) of coxsackievirus B3 as a model target. In the first step, sites accessible to hybridization of complementary oligonucleotides were identified using two mapping methods with random libraries of short DNA oligomers. Subsequently, the accessibility of the mapped regions for hybridization of longer DNA 16-mers was confirmed by an RNase H assay. Using criteria for the design of efficient small interfering RNAs (siRNA) and a secondary structure model of the viral 5’UTR, several DNA 19-mers were designed against partly double-stranded RNA regions. Target sites for DNA 19-mers were located opposite the sites which had been confirmed as accessible for hybridization. Three pairs of DNA 19-mers and the helper 2’-O-methyl-16-mers were able to effectively induce RNase H cleavage in vitro. For cellular assays, the DNA 19-mers were replaced by siRNAs, and the corresponding three pairs of siRNA-helper oligomer tools were found to target 5’UTR efficiently in a reporter construct in HeLa cells. Addition of the helper oligomer improved silencing capacity of the respective siRNA. We assume that the described procedure will generally be useful for designing of nucleic acid-based tools to silence highly structured RNA targets.
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Sin J, Mangale V, Thienphrapa W, Gottlieb RA, Feuer R. Recent progress in understanding coxsackievirus replication, dissemination, and pathogenesis. Virology 2015; 484:288-304. [PMID: 26142496 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Coxsackieviruses (CVs) are relatively common viruses associated with a number of serious human diseases, including myocarditis and meningo-encephalitis. These viruses are considered cytolytic yet can persist for extended periods of time within certain host tissues requiring evasion from the host immune response and a greatly reduced rate of replication. A member of Picornaviridae family, CVs have been historically considered non-enveloped viruses - although recent evidence suggest that CV and other picornaviruses hijack host membranes and acquire an envelope. Acquisition of an envelope might provide distinct benefits to CV virions, such as resistance to neutralizing antibodies and efficient nonlytic viral spread. CV exhibits a unique tropism for progenitor cells in the host which may help to explain the susceptibility of the young host to infection and the establishment of chronic disease in adults. CVs have also been shown to exploit autophagy to maximize viral replication and assist in unconventional release from target cells. In this article, we review recent progress in clarifying virus replication and dissemination within the host cell, identifying determinants of tropism, and defining strategies utilized by the virus to evade the host immune response. Also, we will highlight unanswered questions and provide future perspectives regarding the potential mechanisms of CV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Sin
- Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Vrushali Mangale
- The Integrated Regenerative Research Institute (IRRI) at San Diego State University, Cell & Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Wdee Thienphrapa
- The Integrated Regenerative Research Institute (IRRI) at San Diego State University, Cell & Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA
| | - Roberta A Gottlieb
- Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ralph Feuer
- The Integrated Regenerative Research Institute (IRRI) at San Diego State University, Cell & Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA.
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Stein EA, Pinkert S, Becher PM, Geisler A, Zeichhardt H, Klopfleisch R, Poller W, Tschöpe C, Lassner D, Fechner H, Kurreck J. Combination of RNA Interference and Virus Receptor Trap Exerts Additive Antiviral Activity in Coxsackievirus B3-induced Myocarditis in Mice. J Infect Dis 2014; 211:613-22. [DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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He F, Yao H, Xiao Z, Han J, Zou J, Liu Z. Inhibition of IL-2 inducible T-cell kinase alleviates T-cell activation and murine myocardial inflammation associated with CVB3 infection. Mol Immunol 2014; 59:30-8. [PMID: 24462896 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2013.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection causes myocarditis, pancreatitis, and aseptic meningitis. Targeting antigen-specific T cell reactions might be a promising way to alleviate the inflammatory response induced by CVB3 infection. IL-2-inducible T-cell kinase (ITK), a member of Tec kinase family expressed mainly in T cells, plays an important role in the activation of T cells. The role of ITK in viral myocarditis induced by CVB3 has not been documented. METHODOLOGY In this study, we inhibited the ITK expression in Jurkat cells, primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and mouse splenocytes by ITK-specific siRNA. The inhibition efficiently suppressed cell proliferation (P<0.05) and T-cell related cytokine secretion (P<0.05). In order to inhibit ITK in vivo, the pGCSIL plasmid containing short hairpin RNAs targeting ITK was constructed and transduced into mice infected with CVB3. ITK-inhibited mice showed reduced cell proliferation (3, 5, and 7 days post-challenge, P<0.05) as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (5 days post-challenge, P<0.05). The altered production of inflammatory cytokines alleviated pathologic heart damage and improved mice survival rate (P<0.05). CONCLUSION ITK played an important role in the T cell development and represented a new target for the modulation of T-cell-mediated inflammatory response by CVB3 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng He
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Hailan Yao
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Zonghui Xiao
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jisheng Han
- Medical Department, Aerospace 731 Hospital, Beijing 100074, China
| | - Jizhen Zou
- Pathology Laboratory, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Zhewei Liu
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing 100020, China.
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14
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Zhang HM, Qiu Y, Ye X, Hemida MG, Hanson P, Yang D. P58(IPK) inhibits coxsackievirus-induced apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt pathway requiring activation of ATF6a and subsequent upregulation of mitofusin 2. Cell Microbiol 2013; 16:411-24. [PMID: 24134518 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Previously we found that prolonged endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection led to p58(IPK) downregulation and subsequent cell apoptosis. This finding implies that p58(IPK) expression benefits cell survival and counteracts CVB3-induced apoptosis. In testing this hypothesis, we first found that PI3K/Akt survival pathway is more sensitive than ERK1/2 in response to p58(IPK) expression. This finding was further verified by silencing p58(IPK) with specific siRNAs, which led to the significant suppression of phosphorylation of Akt (p-Akt) but not ERK1/2. Further, using CVB3-infected cell line expressing dominant negative ATF6a (DN-ATF6a), we found that expression of p58(IPK) and p-Akt was significantly reduced, which led to the decreased cell viability. However, when the DN-ATF6a cells were transiently transfected with p58(IPK) , an opposite result was obtained. Finally, by CVB3 infection of cells stably expressing p58(IPK) , we found that CVB3-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis was suppressed, which was evidenced by the reduced cytochrome c release and upregulation of the mitochondrial membrane protein mitofusin 2. However, silencing p58(IPK) with either specific siRNAs or DN-ATF6a sensitized cells to CVB3-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that p58(IPK) suppresses CVB3-induced apoptosis through selective activation of PI3K/Akt pathway that requires activation of ATF6a and subsequently upregulates mitofusin 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang M Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Center for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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15
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Recombinant human coxsackievirus B3 from children with acute myocarditis in China. J Clin Microbiol 2013; 51:3083-6. [PMID: 23804378 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00270-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombination events were found in two human coxsackievirus B3 strains, Beijing0811 and SD2012CHN. The strains were isolated separately from five newborns diagnosed with severe hospital-acquired acute myocarditis in Beijing in 2008 and from two children diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease with concurrent acute myocarditis in Shandong in 2012.
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Complete genome sequence of a human coxsackievirus b3 from a child with myocarditis in beijing, china. GENOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 2013; 1:genomeA00163-12. [PMID: 23405344 PMCID: PMC3569342 DOI: 10.1128/genomea.00163-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A human coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), designated strain Beijing0811, was isolated from a child diagnosed with hospital-acquired infectious acute myocarditis in Beijing, China, and propagated in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. The complete genome sequence of this virus was 7,402 nucleotides, excluding the 3′ poly(A) tail, which encoded a large polyprotein with 2,185 amino acids. This report will help us to analyze the evolutionary and epidemic characteristics of CVB3.
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Motavaf M, Safari S, Alavian SM. Therapeutic potential of RNA interference: a new molecular approach to antiviral treatment for hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat 2012; 19:757-65. [PMID: 23043382 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major cause of chronic liver disease with an estimated 170 million carriers worldwide. Current treatments have significant side effects and have met with only partial success. Therefore, alternative antiviral drugs that efficiently block virus production are needed. During recent decades, RNA interference (RNAi) technology has not only become a powerful tool for functional genomics but also represents a new therapeutic approach for treating human diseases including viral infections. RNAi is a sequence-specific and post-transcriptional gene silencing process mediated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). As the HCV genome is a single-stranded RNA that functions as both a messenger RNA (mRNA) and replication template, it is an attractive target for the study of RNAi-based viral therapies. In this review, we will give a brief overview about the history and current status of RNAi and focus on its potential application as a therapeutic option for treatment for HCV infection.
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Yang Z, Li G, Zhang Y, Liu X, Tien P. A novel minicircle vector based system for inhibting the replication and gene expression of enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus A16. Antiviral Res 2012; 96:234-44. [PMID: 22921338 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2012] [Revised: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV 71) and Coxsackievirus A16 (CA 16) are two major causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). They have been associated with severe neurological and cardiological complications worldwide, and have caused significant mortalities during large-scale outbreaks in China. Currently, there are no effective treatments against EV 71 and CA 16 infections. We now describe the development of a novel minicircle vector based RNA interference (RNAi) system as a therapeutic approach to inhibiting EV 71 and CA 16 replication. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules targeting the conserved regions of the 3C(pro) and 3D(pol) function gene of the EV 71 and CA 16 China strains were designed based on their nucleotide sequences available in GenBank. This RNAi system was found to effectively block the replication and gene expression of these viruses in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells and virus-infected mice model. The inhibitory effects were confirmed by a corresponding decrease in viral RNA, viral protein, and progeny virus production. In addition, no significant adverse off-target silencing or cytotoxic effects were observed. These results demonstrated the potential and feasibility of this novel minicircle vector based RNAi system for antiviral therapy against EV 71 and CA 16 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Yao H, Zhang Y, He F, Wang C, Xiao Z, Zou J, Wang F, Liu Z. Short hairpin RNA targeting 2B gene of coxsackievirus B3 exhibits potential antiviral effects both in vitro and in vivo. BMC Infect Dis 2012; 12:177. [PMID: 22863145 PMCID: PMC3482581 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-12-177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coxsackievirus B3 is an important infectious agent of viral myocarditis, pancreatitis and aseptic meningitis, but there are no specific antiviral therapeutic reagents in clinical use. RNA interference-based technology has been developed to prevent the viral infection. Methods To evaluate the impact of RNA interference on viral replication, cytopathogenicity and animal survival, short hairpin RNAs targeting the viral 2B region (shRNA-2B) expressed by a recombinant vector (pGCL-2B) or a recombinant lentivirus (Lenti-2B) were tansfected in HeLa cells or transduced in mice infected with CVB3. Results ShRNA-2B exhibited a significant effect on inhibition of viral production in HeLa cells. Furthermore, shRNA-2B improved mouse survival rate, reduced the viral tissues titers and attenuated tissue damage compared with those of the shRNA-NC treated control group. Lenti-2B displayed more effective role in inhibition of viral replication than pGCL-2B in vivo. Conclusions Coxsackievirus B3 2B is an effective target of gene silencing against coxsackievirus B3 infection, suggesting that shRNA-2B is a potential agent for further development into a treatment for enterviral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailan Yao
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, YaBao Road 2, Beijing, 100020, China
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Raghunathan S, Patel BM. Therapeutic implications of small interfering RNA in cardiovascular diseases. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2012; 27:1-20. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2012.01051.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Revised: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Suchi Raghunathan
- Institute of Pharmacy; Nirma University; Ahmedabad; 382 481; Gujarat; India
| | - Bhoomika M. Patel
- Institute of Pharmacy; Nirma University; Ahmedabad; 382 481; Gujarat; India
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Gautam
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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Luan Y, Dai HL, Yang D, Zhu L, Gao TL, Shao HJ, Peng X, Jin ZF. Small interfering RNA against the 2C genomic region of coxsackievirus B3 exerts potential antiviral effects in permissive HeLa cells. Virus Res 2012; 163:183-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2011.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 09/02/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Wu Z, Xue Y, Wang B, Du J, Jin Q. Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of RNA interference against four genotypes of Japanese encephalitis virus based on single microRNA polycistrons. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26304. [PMID: 22028851 PMCID: PMC3196537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a neurotropic mosquito-borne flavivirus, causes acute viral encephalitis and neurologic disease with a high fatality rate in humans and a range of animals. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a powerful antiviral agent able to inhibit JEV replication. However, the high rate of genetic variability between JEV strains (of four confirmed genotypes, genotypes I, II, III and IV) hampers the broad-spectrum application of siRNAs, and mutations within the targeted sequences could facilitate JEV escape from RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated antiviral therapy. To improve the broad-spectrum application of siRNAs and prevent the generation of escape mutants, multiple siRNAs targeting conserved viral sequences need to be combined. In this study, using a siRNA expression vector based on the miR-155 backbone and promoted by RNA polymerase II, we initially identified nine siRNAs targeting highly conserved regions of seven JEV genes among strains of the four genotypes of JEV to effectively block the replication of the JEV vaccine strain SA14-14-2. Then, we constructed single microRNA-like polycistrons to simultaneously express these effective siRNAs under a single RNA polymerase II promoter. Finally, these single siRNAs or multiple siRNAs from the microRNA-like polycistrons showed effective anti-virus activity in genotype I and genotype III JEV wild type strains, which are the predominant genotypes of JEV in mainland China. The anti-JEV effect of these microRNA-like polycistrons was also predicted in other genotypes of JEV (genotypes II and IV), The inhibitory efficacy indicated that siRNAs×9 could theoretically inhibit the replication of JEV genotypes II and IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang Du
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Fechner H, Pinkert S, Geisler A, Poller W, Kurreck J. Pharmacological and biological antiviral therapeutics for cardiac coxsackievirus infections. Molecules 2011; 16:8475-503. [PMID: 21989310 PMCID: PMC6264230 DOI: 10.3390/molecules16108475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Revised: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Subtype B coxsackieviruses (CVB) represent the most commonly identified infectious agents associated with acute and chronic myocarditis, with CVB3 being the most common variant. Damage to the heart is induced both directly by virally mediated cell destruction and indirectly due to the immune and autoimmune processes reacting to virus infection. This review addresses antiviral therapeutics for cardiac coxsackievirus infections discovered over the last 25 years. One group represents pharmacologically active low molecular weight substances that inhibit virus uptake by binding to the virus capsid (e.g., pleconaril) or inactivate viral proteins (e.g., NO-metoprolol and ribavirin) or inhibit cellular proteins which are essential for viral replication (e.g., ubiquitination inhibitors). A second important group of substances are interferons. They have antiviral but also immunomodulating activities. The third and most recently discovered group includes biological and cellular therapeutics. Soluble receptor analogues (e.g., sCAR-Fc) bind to the virus capsid and block virus uptake. Small interfering RNAs, short hairpin RNAs and antisense oligonucleotides bind to and led to degradation of the viral RNA genome or cellular RNAs, thereby preventing their translation and viral replication. Most recently mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has been shown to possess antiviral activity in CVB3 infections. Taken together, a number of antiviral therapeutics has been developed for the treatment of myocardial CVB infection in recent years. In addition to low molecular weight inhibitors, biological therapeutics have become promising anti-viral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Fechner
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany; (S.P.); (J.K.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +49-30-31472181; Fax: +49-30-31427502
| | - Sandra Pinkert
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany; (S.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Anja Geisler
- Department of Cardiology & Pneumology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); wolfgang.poller@charite (W.P.)
| | - Wolfgang Poller
- Department of Cardiology & Pneumology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany; (A.G.); wolfgang.poller@charite (W.P.)
| | - Jens Kurreck
- Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany; (S.P.); (J.K.)
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Targeted delivery of mutant tolerant anti-coxsackievirus artificial microRNAs using folate conjugated bacteriophage Phi29 pRNA. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21215. [PMID: 21698212 PMCID: PMC3115994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocarditis is the major heart disease in infants and young adults. It is very commonly caused by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection; however, no specific treatment or vaccine is available at present. RNA interference (RNAi)-based anti-viral therapy has shown potential to inhibit viral replication, but this strategy faces two major challenges; viral mutational escape from drug suppression and targeted delivery of the reagents to specific cell populations. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In this study, we designed artificial microRNAs (AmiRs) targeting the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of CVB3 genome with mismatches to the central region of their targeting sites. Antiviral evaluation showed that AmiR-1 and AmiR-2 reduced CVB3 (Kandolf and CG strains) replication approximately 100-fold in both HeLa cells and HL-1 cardiomyocytes. To achieve specific delivery, we linked AmiRs to the folate-conjugated bacterial phage packaging RNA (pRNA) and delivered the complexes into HeLa cells, a folate receptor positive cancer cells widely used as an in vitro model for CVB3 infection, via folate-mediated specific internalization. We found that our designed pRNA-AmiRs conjugates were tolerable to target mutations and have great potential to suppress viral mutational escape with little effect on triggering interferon induction. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE This study provides important clues for designing AmiRs targeting the 3'UTR of viral genome. It also proves the feasibility of specific deliver of AmiRs using conjugated pRNA vehicles. These small AmiRs combined with pRNA-folate conjugates could form a promising system for antiviral drug development.
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Hemida MG, Ye X, Thair S, Yang D. Exploiting the therapeutic potential of microRNAs in viral diseases: expectations and limitations. Mol Diagn Ther 2011; 14:271-82. [PMID: 21053993 PMCID: PMC7099301 DOI: 10.1007/bf03256383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
New therapeutic approaches are urgently needed for serious diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, viral infections, and others. A recent direction in drug development is the utilization of nucleic acidbased therapeutic molecules, such as antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, short interfering RNA (siRNA), and microRNA (miRNA). miRNAs are endogenous, short, non-coding RNA molecules. Some viruses encode their own miRNAs, which play pivotal roles in viral replication and immune evasion strategies. Conversely, viruses that do not encode miRNAs may manipulate host cell miRNAs for the benefits of their replication. miRNAs have therefore become attractive tools for the study of viral pathogenesis. Lately, novel therapeutic strategies based on miRNA technology for the treatment of viral diseases have been progressing rapidly. Although this new generation of molecular therapy is promising, there are still several challenges to face, such as targeting delivery to specific tissues, avoiding off-target effects of miRNAs, reducing the toxicity of the drugs, and overcoming mutations and drug resistance. In this article, we review the current knowledge of the role and therapeutic potential of miRNAs in viral diseases, and discuss the limitations of these therapies, as well as strategies to overcome them to provide safe and effective clinical applications of these new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maged Gomaa Hemida
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Heart and Lung Institute, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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27
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Rhoades RE, Tabor-Godwin JM, Tsueng G, Feuer R. Enterovirus infections of the central nervous system. Virology 2011; 411:288-305. [PMID: 21251690 PMCID: PMC3060663 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2010.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Enteroviruses (EV) frequently infect the central nervous system (CNS) and induce neurological diseases. Although the CNS is composed of many different cell types, the spectrum of tropism for each EV is considerable. These viruses have the ability to completely shut down host translational machinery and are considered highly cytolytic, thereby causing cytopathic effects. Hence, CNS dysfunction following EV infection of neuronal or glial cells might be expected. Perhaps unexpectedly given their cytolytic nature, EVs may establish a persistent infection within the CNS, and the lasting effects on the host might be significant with unanticipated consequences. This review will describe the clinical aspects of EV-mediated disease, mechanisms of disease, determinants of tropism, immune activation within the CNS, and potential treatment regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ralph Feuer
- Corresponding author. Cell & Molecular Biology Joint Doctoral Program, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive; San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA. Fax: +1 619 594 0777.
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Keita D, Heath L, Albina E. Control of African swine fever virus replication by small interfering RNA targeting the A151R and VP72 genes. Antivir Ther 2010; 15:727-36. [PMID: 20710054 DOI: 10.3851/imp1593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the unique member of the Asfarviridae family and Asfivirus genus. It is an enveloped double-stranded DNA arbovirus that replicates in the cell cytoplasm, similar to poxviruses. There is no vaccine and no treatment available to control this virus. METHODS We describe the use of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the A151R and VP72 (B646L) genes to control the ASFV replication in vitro. RESULTS Results suggest that siRNA targeting the A151R and VP72 genes can reduce both the virus replication and its levels of messenger RNA transcripts. The reduction was up to 4 log(10) copies on the virus titre and up to 3 log(10) copies on virus RNA transcripts levels. The combination of multiple siRNA did not improve the antiviral effect significantly, compared with use of individual siRNAs. CONCLUSIONS The function of the A151R gene product in the virus replication cycle is yet unclear, but is essential. We also demonstrate that it is possible to inhibit, using small interfering RNA, a virus that replicates exclusively in the cell cytoplasm in specific viral factories.
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Coxsackievirus B3 infection activates the unfolded protein response and induces apoptosis through downregulation of p58IPK and activation of CHOP and SREBP1. J Virol 2010; 84:8446-59. [PMID: 20554776 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01416-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a hallmark of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)-induced myocarditis. We used cardiomyocytes and HeLa cells to explore the cellular response to CVB3 infection, with a focus on pathways leading to apoptosis. CVB3 infection triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and differentially regulated the three arms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) initiated by the proximal ER stress sensors ATF6a (activating transcription factor 6a), IRE1-XBP1 (X box binding protein 1), and PERK (PKR-like ER protein kinase). Upon CVB3 infection, glucose-regulated protein 78 expression was upregulated, and in turn ATF6a and XBP1 were activated via protein cleavage and mRNA splicing, respectively. UPR activity was further confirmed by the enhanced expression of UPR target genes ERdj4 and EDEM1. Surprisingly, another UPR-associated gene, p58(IPK), which often is upregulated during infections with other types of viruses, was downregulated at both mRNA and protein levels after CVB3 infection. These findings were observed similarly for uninfected Tet-On HeLa cells induced to overexpress ATF6a or XBP1. In exploring potential connections between the three UPR pathways, we found that the ATF6a-induced downregulation of p58(IPK) was associated with the activation of PKR (PERK) and the phosphorylation of eIF2alpha, suggesting that p58(IPK), a negative regulator of PERK and PKR, mediates cross-talk between the ATF6a/IRE1-XBP1 and PERK arms. Finally, we found that CVB3 infection eventually produced the induction of the proapoptoic transcription factor CHOP and the activation of SREBP1 and caspase-12. Taken together, these data suggest that CVB3 infection activates UPR pathways and induces ER stress-mediated apoptosis through the suppression of P58(IPK) and induction/activation of CHOP, SREBP1, and caspase-12.
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Abstract
The triumphant success of RNA interference (RNAi) in life sciences
is based on its high potency to silence genes in a
sequence-specific manner. Nevertheless, the first task for
successful RNAi approaches is the identification of highly active
small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Early on, it has been found that
the potency of siRNAs can vary
drastically. Great progress was made when thermodynamic properties
that influence siRNA activity were discovered. Design
algorithms based on these parameters enhance the chance to
generate potent siRNAs. Still, many siRNAs designed accordingly
fail to silence their targeted gene, whereas others are highly
efficient despite the fact that they do not fulfil the recommended
criteria. Therefore, the accessibility of the siRNA-binding site
on the target RNA has been investigated as an additional parameter
which is important for RNAi-mediated silencing. These and other
factors which are crucial for successful RNAi approaches will be
discussed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kurreck
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Free University Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- *Jens Kurreck:
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High-throughput sequencing of microRNAs in adenovirus type 3 infected human laryngeal epithelial cells. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:915980. [PMID: 20634878 PMCID: PMC2896912 DOI: 10.1155/2010/915980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Revised: 03/27/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenovirus infection can cause various illnesses depending on the infecting serotype, such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, cystitis, and rash illness, but the infection mechanism is still unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNA) have been reported to play essential roles in cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and pathogenesis of human diseases including viral infections. We analyzed the miRNA expression profiles from adenovirus type 3 (AD3) infected Human laryngeal epithelial (Hep2) cells using a SOLiD deep sequencing. 492 precursor miRNAs were identified in the AD3 infected Hep2 cells, and 540 precursor miRNAs were identified in the control. A total of 44 miRNAs demonstrated high expression and 36 miRNAs showed lower expression in the AD3 infected cells than control. The biogenesis of miRNAs has been analyzed, and some of the SOLiD results were confirmed by Quantitative PCR analysis. The present studies may provide a useful clue for the biological function research into AD3 infection.
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Development of potential antiviral strategy against coxsackievirus B4. Virus Res 2010; 150:85-92. [PMID: 20214933 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2010.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Revised: 02/24/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) can cause a broad range of diseases such as aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, pneumonia and sudden death in the neonates. CVB4 has also been implicated as a possible etiological agent for type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In this study, the possibility of RNA interference (RNAi) as a potential therapeutic approach to treat CVB4 infection was explored. The results showed that the Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells treated with 19-mer siRNAs displayed high specificity against CVB4 replication without displaying any sign of target effects. The siRNA targeting the 3C(pro) region of CVB4 genome was also established to be the most effective in inhibition of CVB4 replication in RD cell line in a dosage dependent manner, indicating its potential to be developed as an antiviral strategy against CVB4.
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Targeting enteroviral 2A protease by a 16-mer synthetic peptide: Inhibition of 2Apro-induced apoptosis in a stable Tet-on HeLa cell line. Virology 2010; 399:39-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Revised: 10/16/2009] [Accepted: 12/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Werk D, Wengel J, Wengel SL, Grunert HP, Zeichhardt H, Kurreck J. Application of small interfering RNAs modified by unlocked nucleic acid (UNA) to inhibit the heart-pathogenic coxsackievirus B3. FEBS Lett 2009; 584:591-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2009] [Revised: 11/28/2009] [Accepted: 12/06/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Abstract
Formation of small interfering RNA (siRNA) occurs in two steps involving binding of the RNA nucleases to a large double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) and its cleavage into fragments called siRNA. In the second step, these siRNAs join a multinuclease complex, which degrades the homologous single‐stranded mRNAs. The delivery of siRNA involves viral‐ and non‐viral‐mediated delivery systems; the approaches for chemical modifications have also been developed. It has various therapeutic applications for disorders like cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatic disorders, etc. The present review gives an overview of the applications of siRNA and their potential for treating many hitherto untreatable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhoomika R Goyal
- Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University of Science and Technology, Ahmedabad 382 481, Gujarat, India.
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Zhang HM, Su Y, Guo S, Yuan J, Lim T, Liu J, Guo P, Yang D. Targeted delivery of anti-coxsackievirus siRNAs using ligand-conjugated packaging RNAs. Antiviral Res 2009; 83:307-16. [PMID: 19616030 PMCID: PMC3909712 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2009.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2009] [Revised: 07/02/2009] [Accepted: 07/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a common pathogen of myocarditis. We previously synthesized a siRNA targeting the CVB3 protease 2A (siRNA/2A) gene and achieved reduction of CVB3 replication by 92% in vitro. However, like other drugs under development, CVB3 siRNA faces a major challenge of targeted delivery. In this study, we investigated a novel approach to deliver CVB3 siRNAs to a specific cell population (e.g. HeLa cells containing folate receptor) using receptor ligand (folate)-linked packaging RNA (pRNA) from bacterial phage phi29. pRNA monomers can spontaneously form dimers and multimers under optimal conditions by base-pairing between their stem loops. By covalently linking a fluorescence-tag to folate, we delivered the conjugate specifically to HeLa cells without the need of transfection. We further demonstrated that pRNA covalently conjugated to siRNA/2A achieved an equivalent antiviral effect to that of the siRNA/2A alone. Finally, the drug targeted delivery was further evaluated by using pRNA monomers or dimers, which carried both the siRNA/2A and folate ligand and demonstrated that both of them strongly inhibited CVB3 replication. These data indicate that pRNA as a siRNA carrier can specifically deliver the drug to target cells via its ligand and specific receptor interaction and inhibit virus replication effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang M Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Canada
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Nygårdas M, Vuorinen T, Aalto AP, Bamford DH, Hukkanen V. Inhibition of coxsackievirus B3 and related enteroviruses by antiviral short interfering RNA pools produced using phi6 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. J Gen Virol 2009; 90:2468-2473. [PMID: 19553393 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.011338-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coxsackievirus B3 (CBV3) is a member of the human enterovirus B species and a common human pathogen. Even though much is known about the enteroviral life cycle, no specific drugs are available to treat enterovirus infections. RNA interference (RNAi) has evolved to be an important tool for antiviral experimental therapies and gene function studies. We describe here a novel approach for RNAi against CBVs by using a short interfering (siRNA) pool covering 3.5 kb of CBV3 genomic sequence. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) of bacteriophage phi6 was used to synthesize long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from a cloned region (nt 3837-7399) of the CBV3 genome. The dsRNA was cleaved using Dicer, purified and introduced to cells by transfection. The siRNA pool synthesized using the phi6 RdRP (phi6-siRNAs) was considerably more effective than single-site siRNAs. The phi6-siRNA pool also inhibited replication of other enterovirus B species, such as coxsackievirus B4 and coxsackievirus A9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Nygårdas
- Department of Virology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 13, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Tytti Vuorinen
- Department of Virology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 13, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Antti P Aalto
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Biocenter 2, Viikinkaari 5, PO Box 56, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dennis H Bamford
- Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Biocenter 2, Viikinkaari 5, PO Box 56, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Veijo Hukkanen
- Department of Microbiology, Aapistie 5A, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland
- Department of Virology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 13, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
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Rothe D, Werk D, Niedrig S, Horbelt D, Grunert HP, Zeichhardt H, Erdmann VA, Kurreck J. Antiviral activity of highly potent siRNAs against echovirus 30 and its receptor. J Virol Methods 2009; 157:211-8. [PMID: 19187792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2009.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2008] [Revised: 01/07/2009] [Accepted: 01/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has been shown to be suitable to inhibit viruses in experimental setups and is considered a promising antiviral strategy that is currently being tested in various clinical trials. The present study provides an approach to design siRNAs with high potency against a virus-specific target gene. In recent years, several outbreaks of aseptic meningitis caused by an echovirus 30 (EV-30) infection have been described. Based on an initial set of 30 in silico designed siRNAs, six siRNAs targeting the 3D RNA-dependent RNA-Polymerase (3D(Pol)) of EV-30 were selected. All but one of them showed high efficiency in both, reporter and virus assays. A second aim of the study was to re-investigate the relevance of the decay-accelerating factor (DAF, also known as CD55) as cellular entry receptor of EV-30 by means of RNAi, a question which had been under debate in previous studies. Knockdown of DAF inhibited drastically infection by EV-30 indicating that DAF plays an important role either as an attachment factor or as a receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Rothe
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Industrial Genetics, Allmandring, Stuttgart, Germany
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Dutkiewicz M, Grunert HP, Zeichhardt H, Lena SW, Wengel J, Kurreck J. Design of LNA-modified siRNAs against the highly structured 5' UTR of coxsackievirus B3. FEBS Lett 2008; 582:3061-6. [PMID: 18691577 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.07.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2008] [Revised: 07/11/2008] [Accepted: 07/28/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study describes a strategy to develop LNA-modified small interfering RNA (siRNAs) against the highly structured 5' UTR of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB-3), which is an attractive target site due to its high degree of conservation. Accessible sites were identified based on structural models and RNase H assays with DNA oligonucleotides. Subsequently, LNA gapmers, siRNAs, siLNAs and small internally segmented interfering RNA (sisiLNAs) were designed against sites, which were found to be accessible in the in vitro assays, and tested in reporter assays and experiments with the infectious virus. The best siLNA improved viability of infected cells by 92% and exerted good antiviral activity in plaque reduction assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariola Dutkiewicz
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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LIU YY, DENG HY, YANG G, JIANG WL, GROSSIN L, YANG ZQ. Short hairpin RNA-mediated inhibition of HSV-1 gene expression and function during HSV-1 infection in Vero cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2008; 29:975-82. [PMID: 18664330 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2008.00828.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the efficiency of 3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interfering with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) gene coding glycoprotein D (gD) for inhibiting the gD expression and virus replication in vitro. METHODS Vero cells were selected for an in vitro model of infection. Three shRNA sequences (shRNAgD1, -gD2, and -gD3) targeting specifically the gD gene of HSV-1 were selected for evaluating the antiviral effects. The antiviral effects of shRNA in the cells infected with HSV-1 were evaluated by cytopathic effect (CPE) observations and plaque assays. The transcription level of viral RNA and the gD expression were studied by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. RESULTS With the 3 shRNA at a final concentration of 120 nmol/L, a significant inhibition of CPE in the HSV-1-infected cells was observed. The ED50 of shRNA-gD1, gD2, and gD3 were 48.74+/-2.57, 57.13+/-3.24, and 114.64+/-5.12 nmol/L, respectively. The gD gene decreased significantly after viral infection in the Vero cells pretreated with shRNA compared to the virus group. The expressions of the gD protein, determined by Western blotting and flow cytometry, were also drastically decreased in shRNA-transfected cells. CONCLUSION Exogenous shRNA molecules can suppress the HSV-1 gD expression. They are inhibitors of HSV replication during infection in Vero cells.
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Abstract
Viral myocarditis is an elusive infection of the heart that is currently without an effective or definitive treatment. Viral myocarditis has a complex disease progression that can be divided into early, middle and late phases. Direct cytopathic injury, apoptosis, activation of the innate and adaptive immune system and cardiac remodeling have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis. Novel treatment approaches are evolving at a rapid pace. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on current research focused on identifying potential treatment options for viral myocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley D Miyamoto
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences Center, The Children’s Hospital, 13123 E. 16th Avenue, B100 Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Roberta L DeBiasi
- Children’s National Medical Center/Children’s Research Institute, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, George Washington University School of Medicine, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington DC 20010, USA
| | - Carlin S Long
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado at Denver & Health Sciences Center, Box 0960, Denver Health Medical Center, 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204, USA
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Fechner H, Sipo I, Westermann D, Pinkert S, Wang X, Suckau L, Kurreck J, Zeichhardt H, Müller O, Vetter R, Erdmann V, Tschope C, Poller W. Cardiac-targeted RNA interference mediated by an AAV9 vector improves cardiac function in coxsackievirus B3 cardiomyopathy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2008; 86:987-97. [PMID: 18548221 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-008-0363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2007] [Revised: 04/08/2008] [Accepted: 04/16/2008] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has potential to be a novel therapeutic strategy in diverse areas of medicine. In this paper, we report on targeted RNAi for the treatment of a viral cardiomyopathy, which is a major cause of sudden cardiac death or terminal heart failure in children and young adults. RNAi therapy employs small regulatory RNAs to achieve its effect, but in vivo use of synthetic small interfering RNAs is limited by instability in plasma and low transfer into target cells. We instead evaluated an RNAi strategy using short hairpin RNA (shRdRp) directed at the RNA polymerase (RdRP) of coxsackievirus B3 (CoxB3) in HeLa cells, primary rat cardiomyocytes (PNCMs) and CoxB3-infected mice in vivo. A conventional AAV2 vector expressing shRdRp protected HeLa against virus-induced death, but this vector type was unable to transduce PNCMs. In contrast, an analogous pseudotyped AAV2.6 vector was protective also in PNCMs and reduced virus replication by >3 log10 steps. Finally, we evaluated the intravenous treatment of mice with an AAV2.9-shRdRp vector because AAV9 carries the most cardiotropic AAV capsid currently known for in vivo use. Mice with CoxB3 cardiomyopathy had disturbed left ventricular (LV) function with impaired parameters of contractility (dP/dtmax = 3,006 +/- 287 vs. 7,482 +/- 487 mmHg/s, p < 0.01) and diastolic relaxation (dP/dtmin = -2,224 +/- 195 vs. -6,456 +/- 356 mmHg/s, p < 0.01 and Tau = 16.2 +/- 1.1 vs. 10.7 +/- 0.6 ms, p < 0.01) compared to control mice. AAV2.9-shRdRp treatment significantly attenuated the cardiac dysfunction compared to control vector-treated mice on day 10 after CoxB3 infection: dP/dtmax = 3,865 +/- 354 vs. 3,006 +/- 287 mmHg/s (p < 0.05), dP/dtmin = -3,245 +/- 231 vs. -2,224 +/- 195 mmHg/s (p < 0.05) and Tau = 11.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 16.2 +/- 1.1 ms (p < 0.01). The data show, for the first time, that intravenously injected AAV9 has the potential to target RNAi to the heart and suggest AAV9-shRNA vectors as a novel therapeutic approach for cardiac disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Fechner
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany
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Recombinant lentivirus-delivered short hairpin RNAs targeted to conserved coxsackievirus sequences protect against viral myocarditis and improve survival rate in an animal model. Virus Genes 2008; 36:141-6. [PMID: 18172750 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-007-0192-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2007] [Accepted: 12/18/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Coxsackieviruses are important human pathogens that induce myocarditis and pancreatitis. However, there are no vaccines or therapeutic reagents for their clinical treatment. Although RNA interference (RNAi)-based approaches to the prevention of viral production have been developed recently, limitations to the in vivo delivery systems and variations in the viral target sequences still hamper the strategy. In this study, to overcome these limitations, we have constructed recombinant lentivirus-delivered short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against sequences in highly conserved cis-acting replication element (CRE) within the 2C protein of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), designated MET-2C. A recombinant lentivirus, designated Met-2C lenti, was constructed that contains the MET-2C sequence, which acts as a shRNA. Met-2C lenti clearly reduced viral production in CVB3-infected cells in vitro. Moreover, the mice injected intraperitoneally with Met-2C lenti had significant reductions in viral titers, viral myocarditis, and proinflammatory cytokines after challenge with CVB3, compared with those in GFP lenti infected control mice. Moreover, Met-2C lenti improved survival rate compared with that of the GFP lenti infected control group. Therefore, Met-2C lenti is potentially a clinical therapeutic agent for the treatment of viral myocarditis.
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Erdmann VA, Poller W, Barciszewski J. Targeting Viral Heart Disease by RNA Interference. RNA TECHNOLOGIES IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND RESEARCH 2008. [PMCID: PMC7120428 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-78709-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Viral heart disease (VHD) is an important clinical disease entity both in pediatric as well as adult cardiology. Coxsackieviruses (CVBs) are considered an important cause for VHD in both populations. VHD may lead to dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure which can ultimately require heart transplantation. However, no specific treatment modality is so far available. We and others have shown that coxsackieviral replication and cytotoxicity can be successfully targeted by RNA interference, thus leading to increased cell viability and even prolongation of survival in vivo. However, considerable limitations have to be solved before this novel therapeutic approach may enter the clinical trials arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker A. Erdmann
- Institute for Chemistry/Biochemistry, Free University of Berlin, Thielallee 63, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Poller
- Clinic for Cardiology and Pneumology Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charite University Medicine Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Barciszewski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
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Poller W, Suckau L, Pinkert S, Fechner H. RNA Interference and MicroRNA Modulation for the Treatment of Cardiac Disorders. RNA TECHNOLOGIES IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND RESEARCH 2008. [PMCID: PMC7121055 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-78709-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The current status and challenges of RNA interference (RNAi) and microRNA modulation strategies for the treatment of myocardial disorders are discussed and related to the classical gene therapeutic approaches of the past decade. Section 2 summarizes the key issues of current vector technologies which determine if they may be suitable for clinical translation of experimental RNAi or microRNA therapeutic protocols. We then present and discuss examples dealing with the potential of cardiac RNAi therapy. First, an approach to block a key early step in the pathogenesis of a virus-induced cardiomyopathy by RNAi targeting of a cellular receptor for cardiopathogenic viruses (Section 3). Second, an approach to improve cardiac function by RNAi targeting of late pathway of heart failure pathogenesis common to myocardial disorders of multiple etiologies. This strategy is directed at myocardial Ca2+ homeostasis which is disturbed in heart failure due to coronary heart disease, heart valve dysfunction, cardiac inflammation, or genetic defects (Section 4). Whereas the first type of strategies (directed at early pathogenesis) need to be tailor-made for each different type of pathomechanism, the second type (targeting late common pathways) has a much broader range of application. This advantage of the second type of approaches is of key importance since enormous efforts need to be undertaken before any regulatory RNA therapy enters the stage of possible clinical translation. If then the number of patients eligible for this protocol is large, the actual transformation of the experimental therapy into a new therapeutic option of clinical importance is far more likely to occur.
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Abstract
Background. RNA interference, a conserved mechanism in which a sequence‐specific gene‐silencing process is mediated by small interfering RNA (siRNA), is a promising method of gene therapy in treating a variety of viral diseases. Aim. To investigate the antiviral effects of siRNA on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) replication in Vero cells. Methods. The antiviral effects of siRNA duplexes targeting the VP16 and DNA polymerase genes of HSV‐1 were evaluated by yield‐reduction and plaque‐reduction assays. The effect of siRNA on the expression of target genes was measured by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results. Two siRNA duplexes (siRNA‐1, targeting VP16, and siRNA‐4, targeting DNA polymerase), were found to be highly effective in inhibiting HSV‐1 replication. siRNA‐1 and siRNA‐4 reduced HSV‐1 replication by around 2 log10 and 1 log10 in the yield‐‐reduction assay and by ∼85% and ∼70% in the plaque‐reduction assay, respectively. Significant decreases in the mRNA level of VP16 and DNA polymerase genes were detected after viral infection in the Vero cells pretreated with siRNA‐1 and siRNA‐4, respectively. Conclusion. These results indicate that siRNA can potently inhibit HSV‐1 replication in vitro, suggesting that siRNA‐based antiviral therapy may be a potential effective therapeutic alternative for patients with HSV‐1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Q Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Tan EL, Tan TMC, Tak Kwong Chow V, Poh CL. Inhibition of enterovirus 71 in virus-infected mice by RNA interference. Mol Ther 2007; 15:1931-8. [PMID: 17712333 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in young children. It is often associated with neurological complications and has caused high mortality levels in recent outbreaks in the Asia Pacific region. Currently, there is no effective antiviral therapy against EV71 infections. In this study, we have evaluated and compared the efficacies of three different forms of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in inhibiting EV71 replication in a murine model. We have shown that both synthetic 19-mer siRNAs and plasmid-borne short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeted at the conserved 3D(pol) region were able to inhibit EV71 infections in suckling mice when delivered with or without lipid carrier via the systemic route. The treated mice did not exhibit hind limb paralysis and weight loss, as was observed in untreated mice. EV71 replication was significantly reduced as revealed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. In addition, no evidence of interferon (IFN) induction was detected in the intestinal tissues harvested from the mice as a result of siRNA administration. However, the chemically synthesized 29-mer shRNA did not protect the suckling mice from EV71 infections despite being more potent in the in vitro system. Our results indicate that RNA interference (RNAi) may be a promising therapeutic approach for fighting EV71 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eng Lee Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Lee HS, Ahn J, Jee Y, Seo IS, Jeon EJ, Jeon ES, Joo CH, Kim YK, Lee H. Universal and mutation-resistant anti-enteroviral activity: potency of small interfering RNA complementary to the conserved cis-acting replication element within the enterovirus coding region. J Gen Virol 2007; 88:2003-2012. [PMID: 17554034 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.82633-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The promising potential of RNA interference-based antiviral therapies has been well established. However, the antiviral efficacy is largely limited by genomic diversity and genetic instability of various viruses, including human enterovirus B (HEB). In this work, the first evidence supporting the anti-HEB activity of the small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the highly conserved cis-acting replication element (CRE) within virus coding region 2C is presented. HeLa cells pre-treated with siRNA complementary to the conserved sequence of the loop region of CRE(2C) were effectively rescued from the cytopathic effects of HEBs. Downregulation of virus replication and attenuation of cytotoxicity were consistently observed in various reference strains and clinical isolates. Cells treated with this siRNA were resistant to the emergence of viable escape mutants and showed sustained antiviral ability. Collectively, the data suggest that the siRNA based on the disordered structure within the highly conserved cis-acting coding region has potential as a universal, persistent anti-HEB agent. The same strategy can be successfully applied to the development of siRNA with consistent antiviral effects in other virus groups possessing similar RNA elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Sun Lee
- Research Institute for Biomacromolecules, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeonghyun Ahn
- Research Institute for Biomacromolecules, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youngmee Jee
- Division of Enteric and Hepatitis Viruses, Department of Virology, National Institute of Health, Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Seoul, Korea
| | - Il Sun Seo
- Research Institute for Biomacromolecules, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Jung Jeon
- Research Institute for Biomacromolecules, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Seok Jeon
- Cardiac and Vascular Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chul Hyun Joo
- Research Institute for Biomacromolecules, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoo Kyum Kim
- Research Institute for Biomacromolecules, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Heuiran Lee
- Research Institute for Biomacromolecules, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lee ES, Lee WG, Yun SH, Rho SH, Im I, Yang ST, Sellamuthu S, Lee YJ, Kwon SJ, Park OK, Jeon ES, Park WJ, Kim YC. Development of potent inhibitors of the coxsackievirus 3C protease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2007; 358:7-11. [PMID: 17485072 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.03.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2007] [Accepted: 03/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) 3C protease (3CP) plays essential roles in the viral replication cycle, and therefore, provides an attractive therapeutic target for treatment of human diseases caused by CVB3 infection. CVB3 3CP and human rhinovirus (HRV) 3CP have a high degree of amino acid sequence similarity. Comparative modeling of these two 3CPs revealed one prominent distinction; an Asn residue delineating the S2' pocket in HRV 3CP is replaced by a Tyr residue in CVB3 3CP. AG7088, a potent inhibitor of HRV 3CP, was modified by substitution of the ethyl group at the P2' position with various hydrophobic aromatic rings that are predicted to interact preferentially with the Tyr residue in the S2' pocket of CVB3 3CP. The resulting derivatives showed dramatically increased inhibitory activities against CVB3 3CP. In addition, one of the derivatives effectively inhibited the CVB3 proliferation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eui Seung Lee
- Department of Life Science, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 1 Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea
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50
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Merl S, Wessely R. Anti-coxsackieviral efficacy of RNA interference is highly dependent on genomic target selection and emergence of escape mutants. Oligonucleotides 2007; 17:44-53. [PMID: 17461762 DOI: 10.1089/oli.2007.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Enteroviral diseases are widespread and impose significant importance in medicine. Although the outcome of diseases that are associated with enteroviruses such as myocarditis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, or encephalomyelitis might be fatal, no specific antiviral therapy is yet available. We and others have shown that RNA interference (RNAi) effectively limits picornaviral replication and cytopathogenicity and improves survival in susceptible mice. However, little is known about the dependence of short interfering RNA (siRNA) efficacy on target region selection and emergence of viral escape mutants that may limit the effect of RNAi. The results of our study indicate that antiviral siRNA should be targeted preferentially to nonstructural protein coding regions because siRNA efficacy was consistently found to be superior compared to noncoding or structural protein coding regions. Further more, emergence of viral escape mutants that harbor single point mutations in the central part of the siRNA binding motif are the major factor that limits early therapeutic siRNA efficacy. The appearance of viral escape mutants can be sufficiently suppressed by combined administration of at least three distinct siRNA molecules. Therefore, genomic target selection and viral escape mutants are the most critical factors that limit early RNAi directed against enteroviral genomes. Both obstacles can be circumvented by appropriate target selection and combined siRNA administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Merl
- Deutsches Herzzentrum and Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, University of Technology, Munich, Germany
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