Gene silencing of VP1 gene of coxsackievirus B3 neurotropic strain Nancy by dsRNAs and siRNAs

Abstract

AbstractCoxsackieviruses are distributed worldwide and can cause serious diseases threatening human health and even human life. Genetic silencing is considered a new opportunity to treat viral infections. In this study, we produced in vitro dsRNAs and siRNAs specific for two sequences of different length from the VP1 genetic regions of CVB3, and introduced them into HEp-2 cells with Oligofectamine as the transfection agent. We used the neurotropic strain Nancy. The 100% inhibitory concentrations of the applied dsRNAs and siRNAs were 0.3 μmol/L and fell in the range of non-cytotoxic concentration values. The produced VP1-specific dsRNAs and siRNAs were effective at low concentrations, suggesting that the produced RNAs are safe to use and possess excellent potential to treat CVB3 infection.

Keywords

• PTGS
• VP1
• Coxsackievirus B3
• CVB3
• dsRNAs
• siRNAs