RNA silencing in viral infections: insights from poliovirus

SARS-CoV-2 targeting by RNAi and host complement inhibition: A two-pronged subterfuge for COVID-19 treatment

BACKGROUND

The lack of knowledge about the specific preventive measures and limited scientific information on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to an excruciating onset and progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Swift development of various successful vaccines around the globe is striving to contain the exponential surges of COVID-19 cases. However, the ongoing struggle to vaccinate the global population and alarming spread of highly transmissible variants may thwart global initiatives to contain SARS-CoV-2 as observed by less robust protective immunity.

METHODS

In this perspective, we propose a thought-provoking, two-pronged strategy involving RNA interference approach to degrade essential SARS-CoV-2 ORFs required for replication and entry in conjunction with a complement inhibitor (compstatin) to stymie the detrimental proinflammatory cytokine storm that exacerbate disease progression and severity.

RESULTS

We provide supporting evidence suggesting that concurrent targeting of viral and host components will be a superior strategy to effectively suppress viral spread and clinical manifestations of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

SARS-CoV-2 specific RNAi in conjunction with systemic delivery of compstatin will be an effective two-pronged strategy to combat local and systemic immune responses in both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

MicroRNA-7 Inhibits Rotavirus Replication by Targeting Viral NSP5 In Vivo and In Vitro

Rotavirus (RV) is the major causes of severe diarrhea in infants and young children under five years of age. There are no effective drugs for the treatment of rotavirus in addition to preventive live attenuated vaccine. Recent evidence demonstrates that microRNAs (miRNAs) can affect RNA virus replication. However, the antiviral effect of miRNAs during rotavirus replication are largely unknown. Here, we determined that miR-7 is upregulated during RV replication and that it targets the RV NSP5 (Nonstructural protein 5). Results suggested that miR-7 affected viroplasm formation and inhibited RV replication by down-regulating RV NSP5 expression. Up-regulation of miR-7 expression is a common regulation method of different G-type RV-infected host cells. Then, we further revealed the antiviral effect of miR-7 in diarrhea suckling mice model. MiR-7 is able to inhibit rotavirus replication in vitro and in vivo. These data provide that understanding the role of cellular miR-7 during rotaviral replication may help in the identification of novel therapeutic small RNA molecule drug for anti-rotavirus.

Efficient Inhibition of Avian and Seasonal Influenza A Viruses by a Virus-Specific Dicer-Substrate Small Interfering RNA Swarm in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages and Dendritic Cells

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are viral pathogens that cause epidemics and occasional pandemics of significant mortality. The generation of efficacious vaccines and antiviral drugs remains a challenge due to the rapid appearance of new influenza virus types and antigenic variants. Consequently, novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of IAV infections are needed, given the limitations of the presently available antivirals. Here, we used enzymatically produced IAV-specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules and Giardia intestinalis Dicer for the generation of a swarm of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules. The siRNAs target multiple conserved genomic regions of the IAVs. In mammalian cells, the produced 25- to 27-nucleotide-long siRNA molecules are processed by endogenous Dicer into 21-nucleotide siRNAs and are thus designated Dicer-substrate siRNAs (DsiRNAs). We evaluated the efficacy of the above DsiRNA swarm at preventing IAV infections in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells. The replication of different IAV strains, including avian influenza H5N1 and H7N9 viruses, was significantly inhibited by pretransfection of the cells with the IAV-specific DsiRNA swarm. Up to 7 orders of magnitude inhibition of viral RNA expression was observed, which led to a dramatic inhibition of IAV protein synthesis and virus production. The IAV-specific DsiRNA swarm inhibited virus replication directly through the RNA interference pathway although a weak induction of innate interferon responses was detected. Our results provide direct evidence for the feasibility of the siRNA strategy and the potency of DsiRNA swarms in the prevention and treatment of influenza, including the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.IMPORTANCE In spite of the enormous amount of research, influenza virus is still one of the major challenges for medical virology due to its capacity to generate new variants, which potentially lead to severe epidemics and pandemics. We demonstrated here that a swarm of small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules, including more than 100 different antiviral RNA molecules targeting the most conserved regions of the influenza A virus genome, could efficiently inhibit the replication of all tested avian and seasonal influenza A variants in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells. The wide antiviral spectrum makes the virus-specific siRNA swarm a potentially efficient treatment modality against both avian and seasonal influenza viruses.

Host-virus interaction: the antiviral defense function of small interfering RNAs can be enhanced by host microRNA-7 in vitro

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) directed against poliovirus (PV) and other viruses effectively inhibit viral replication and have been developed as antiviral agents. Here, we demonstrate that a specific siRNA targeting the region between nucleotides 100–125 (siRNA-100) from the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of PV plays a critical role in inhibiting PV replication. Our data demonstrate that siRNA-100 treatment can greatly reduce PV titers, resulting in up-regulation of host microRNA-7 (miR-7), which in turn, leads to enhance inhibition of PV infection further. Moreover, our results suggest that siRNA-100 can also impair the spread of PV to uninfected cells by increasing host resistance to PV, resulting in decreasing necrosis and cytopathic effects (CPE) levels, as well as prolonging the survival of infected cells. Indeed, the active antiviral effect of siRNA-100 was potentially supplemented by the activity of miR-7, and both of them can serve as stabilizing factors for maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Results of this study identify a molecular mechanism of RNAi for antiviral defense, and extend our knowledge of the complex interplay between host and PV, which will provide a basis for the development of effective RNAi-based therapies designed to inhibit PV replication and protect host cells.

Protection of mice against lethal rabies virus challenge using short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) delivered through lentiviral vector

The antiviral potential of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting rabies virus (RV) polymerase (L) and nucleoprotein (N) genes delivered through lentiviral vector was investigated. For in vitro evaluation, siRNAs expressing BHK-21 cell lines (BHK-L and BHK-N) were developed using transduction with Lenti-L and Lenti-N lentiviruses encoding siRNAs against RV-L and N genes, respectively. When these cell lines were challenged in vitro with RV Pasteur virus-11 (PV-11) strain, there was reduction in number of RV-specific foci and target gene transcripts indicating inhibitory effect on RV multiplication. For in vivo evaluation, mice were treated intracerebrally with lentiviruses and challenged with 20 LD₅₀ of RV challenge virus standard-11 (CVS-11) strain by intramuscular route in masseter muscle. Five out of eight mice treated with Lenti-N survived indicating 62.5 % protection. The control and Lenti-L-treated mice died within 7–10 days indicating lethal nature of challenge virus and no protection. These results demonstrated that siRNA targeting RV-N could not only inhibit RV multiplication, but also conferred protection in mice against lethal RV challenge. These findings have implication on therapeutic use of siRNA targeting RV-N against RV infection.

RNase III: Genetics and function; structure and mechanism

RNase III is a global regulator of gene expression in Escherichia coli that is instrumental in the maturation of ribosomal and other structural RNAs. We examine here how RNase III itself is regulated in response to growth and other environmental changes encountered by the cell and how, by binding or processing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) intermediates, RNase III controls the expression of genes. Recent insight into the mechanism of dsRNA binding and processing, gained from structural studies of RNase III, is reviewed. Structural studies also reveal new cleavage sites in the enzyme that can generate longer 3' overhangs.

Inhibition of Tulane virus replication in vitro with RNA interference

RNA interference (RNAi), a conserved mechanism triggered by small interfering RNA (siRNA), has been used for suppressing gene expression through RNA degradation. The replication of caliciviruses (CVs) with RNAi was studied using the Tulane virus (TV) as a model. Five siRNAs targeting the non-structural, the major (VP1) and minor (VP2) structural genes of the TV were developed and the viruses were quantified using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and tissue culture infective dose (TCID(50) ) assay. Treatment of the cells with siRNA 4 hr before viral inoculation significantly reduced viral titer by up to 2.6 logs and dramatically decreased viral RNA copy numbers and viral titers 48 hr post infection in four of the five siRNAs studied. The results were confirmed by Western blot, in which the major structural protein VP1 was markedly reduced in both the cells and the culture medium. Two small protein bands of the shell (S) and protruding (P) domains of the viral capsid protein were also detected in the cell lysates, although their role in viral replication remains unknown. Since the TV shares many biological properties with human noroviruses (NoVs), the successful demonstration of RNAi in TV replication would provide valuable information in control of acute gastroenteritis caused by human NoVs.

Small interfering RNAs targeting the rabies virus nucleoprotein gene

Rabies virus (RABV) infection continues to be a global threat to human and animal health, yet no curative therapy has been developed. RNA interference (RNAi) therapy, which silences expression of specific target genes, represents a promising approach for treating viral infections in mammalian hosts. We designed six small interfering (si)RNAs (N473, N580, N783, N796, N799 and N1227) that target the conserved region of the RABV challenge virus standard (CVS)-11 strain nucleoprotein (N) gene. Using a plasmid-based transient expression model, we demonstrated that N796, N580 and N799 were capable of significantly inhibiting viral replication in vitro and in vivo. These three siRNAs effectively suppressed RABV expression in infected baby hamster kidney-21 (BHK-21) cells, as evidenced by direct immunofluorescence assay, viral titer measurements, real-time PCR, and Western blotting. In addition, liposome-mediated siRNA expression plasmid delivery to RABV-infected mice significantly increased survival, compared to a non-liposome-mediated delivery method. Collectively, our results showed that the three siRNAs, N796, N580 and N799, targeting the N gene could potently inhibit RABV CVS-11 reproduction. These siRNAs have the potential to be developed into new and effective prophylactic anti-RABV drugs.

Short hairpin RNA targeting NP mRNA inhibiting Newcastle disease virus production and other viral structural mRNA transcription

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), formally recognized as avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1), is the etiological agent of Newcastle disease (ND), an affliction which can cause severe losses in the poultry industry. Better understanding of the molecular basis of viral structural genes involved with production should contribute significantly toward the development of improved prophylactic and therapeutic reagents to control the infection. Here we show that a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector targeting nucleocapsid (NP) gene of NDV can potently inhibit NDV production in both primary cells and embryonated chicken eggs. Moreover, shRNA specific for NP abolished the accumulation of not only the corresponding mRNA but also P, HN, F, M gene mRNA. The findings reveal that newly synthesized NP mRNA is essential for NDV transcription and replication, and provide a basis for the development of shRNAs as a prophylaxis and therapy for NDV infection in poultry.

shRNA-triggered RNAi inhibits expression of NDV NP gene in chicken embryo fibroblast

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a powerful tool for identifying gene functions. Chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) is an ideal model for studying the interaction between avian viruses and their hosts. To establish a methodological platform for RNAi studies in CEF, three plasmid vectors expressing short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeted against the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) NP gene were constructed. One of them, ndv1, was proven effective on blocking viral replication in CEF and chicken embryos. Four hours prior to infection with NDV, the CEF was transfected with the plasmids by Silent-fect. An unrelated shRNA sequence (HK) was used in mock transfection. The expression of a potent shRNA resulted in up to 2.3, 21.1 and 9.8 fold decreases in NP gene expression at 3, 6 and 9 h post infection in CEF, respectively. The ndv1 was able to completely inhibit the replication of the virus in CEF within 48 post infection. Furthermore, the pathological changes in CEF caused by NDV were delayed, and the degree of pathological changes was lighter compared with the mock transfection in the presence of ndv1. When the complex of shRNA-Silent-fect and NDV was co-injected into the allantoic cavity of 10-day-old embryonated eggs with 10⁵ or 10⁶ ELD₅₀ NDV, NDV replication was decreased by 94.14% and 62.15% after 17 h, respectively. These findings suggest that the newly synthesized NP protein is critical for NDV transcription and replication and provide a basis for identifying the functions of viral genes and screening for effective siRNAs against viruses in CEF and chicken embryo by RNAi.

The mechanism of RNase III action: how dicer dices

Members of the Ribonuclease III (RNase III) family are double-stranded (ds) RNA-specific endoribonucleases, characterized by a signature motif in their active centers and a 2-nucleotide (nt) 3' overhang in their products. Dicer functions as a dsRNA-processing enzyme, producing small interfering RNA (siRNA) of approx. 24 nt in length (approx. 20-basepair RNA duplex with a 2-nt 3' overhang on each end). Bacterial RNase III functions not only as a processing enzyme, but also as a binding protein that binds dsRNA without cleaving it. As a processing enzyme it produces siRNA-like RNA of approx. 13 nt in length (approx. 9-basepair duplex with a 2-nt 3' overhang on each end) as well as various types of mature RNA. Dicer is structurally most complicated member of the family; bacterial RNase III is comparatively much simpler. One structure is known for Dicer in its RNA-free form (MacRae, Zhou, Li, Repic, Brooks, Cande, Adams, and Doudna, Science 311:195-198); many structures are available for bacterial RNase III, including the first catalytic complex of the entire family (Gan, Tropea, Austin, Court, Waugh, and Ji, Cell 124:355-366). In light of the structural and biochemical information on the RNase III proteins and the structure of a non-Dicer PAZ (Piwi Argonaute Zwille) domain in complex with a 7-basepair RNA duplex with a 2-nt 3' overhang on each end (Ma, Ye, and Patel, Nature 429:318-322), the structure and function of Dicer is being elucidated.

A stepwise model for double-stranded RNA processing by ribonuclease III

RNA interference is mediated by small interfering RNAs produced by members of the ribonuclease III (RNase III) family represented by bacterial RNase III and eukaryotic Rnt1p, Drosha and Dicer. For mechanistic studies, bacterial RNase III has been a valuable model system for the family. Previously, we have shown that RNase III uses two catalytic sites to create the 2-nucleotide (nt) 3' overhangs in its products. Here, we present three crystal structures of RNase III in complex with double-stranded RNA, demonstrating how Mg(2+) is essential for the formation of a catalytically competent protein-RNA complex, how the use of two Mg(2+) ions can drive the hydrolysis of each phosphodiester bond, and how conformational changes in both the substrate and the protein are critical elements for assembling the catalytic complex. Moreover, we have modelled a protein-substrate complex and a protein-reaction intermediate (transition state) complex on the basis of the crystal structures. Together, the crystal structures and the models suggest a stepwise mechanism for RNase III to execute the phosphoryl transfer reaction.

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

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.

Silencing of hepatitis A virus infection by small interfering RNAs

Infection by hepatitis A virus (HAV) can cause acute hepatitis and, rarely, fulminant liver failure, in particular in patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus. Based on our previous observation that small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) can silence translation and replication of the firefly luciferase-encoding HAV replicon, we now exploited this technology to demonstrate the effect of siRNAs on viral infection in Huh-7 cells. Freshly and persistently infected cells were transfected with siRNAs targeting various sites in the HAV nonstructural genes. Compared to a single application, consecutive siRNA transfections targeting multiple sequences in the viral genome resulted in a more efficient and sustained silencing effect than a single transfection. In most instances, multiple applications of a single siRNA led to the emergence of viral escape mutants with mutated target sites that rendered these genomes resistant to RNA interference (RNAi). Efficient and sustained suppression of the viral infectivity was achieved after consecutive applications of an siRNA targeting a computer-predicted hairpin structure. This siRNA holds promise as a therapeutic tool for severe courses of HAV infection. In addition, the results provide new insight into the structural bases for sequence-specific RNAi.

Specific inhibition of HBV replication in vitro and in vivo with expressed long hairpin RNA

Activating RNA interference to achieve specific gene silencing has shown promise for the development of RNA-based treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To further this approach, we assessed the efficacy of expressed long hairpin RNAs (lhRNAs) that target the conserved HBx open reading frame of HBV. As substrates for Dicer, lhRNAs have the potential to generate multiple short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to enable simultaneous targeting of different sites. Two U6 Pol III vectors were constructed that encode anti-HBV lhRNAs with a 62 base pair stem sequence containing multiple G:U pairings. Assessment in transfected cultured cells and also in vivo using the murine hydrodynamic injection model showed that one of the lhRNA vectors (lhRNA 1) diminished markers of virus replication by 70-90% without evidence of interferon response induction. Greatest silencing efficacy was observed for targets that are complementary to sequences located at the base of the hairpin stem and this correlated with a higher concentration of siRNAs derived from this region of the lhRNA. Although lhRNA 1 has the advantage of targeting a greater viral sequence, incomplete cellular processing may result in unequal silencing across the span of the viral target RNA.

Development of effective therapies against West Nile virus infection

Since its entry into North America in 1999, West Nile virus has spread throughout the USA and Canada, and now annually causes a clinical spectrum of human disease ranging from a self-limiting acute febrile illness to potentially lethal encephalitis. Although no therapy is currently approved for use in humans, several strategies are being pursued to develop effective prophylaxis and treatments. This review describes the epidemiology, clinical presentation and pathogenesis of West Nile virus infection, and highlights recent progress towards an effective therapy.

Antiviral applications of RNAi for coronavirus

Until the appearance of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in early 2003, coronavirus infection was not considered to be serious enough to be controlled by either vaccination or specific antiviral therapy. It is now believed that the availability of antiviral drugs effective against SARS-CoV will be crucial for the control of future SARS outbreaks. Recently, RNA interference has been successfully used as a more specific and efficient method for gene silencing. RNA interference induced by small interfering RNA can inhibit the expression of viral antigens and so provides a new approach to the therapy of pathogenic viruses. This review provides an overview of current information on coronavirus and the application of small interfering RNA in viral therapeutics, with particular reference to SARS-CoV.

Oligonucleotide-based antiviral strategies

In the age of extensive global traffic systems, the close neighborhood of man and livestock in some regions of the world, as well as inadequate prevention measures and medical care in poorer countries, greatly facilitates the emergence and dissemination of new virus strains. The appearance of avian influenza viruses that can infect humans, the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus, and the unprecedented raging of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) illustrate the threat of a global virus pandemic. In addition, viruses like hepatitis B and C claim more than one million lives every year for want of efficient therapy. Thus, new approaches to prevent virus propagation are urgently needed. Antisense strategies are considered a very attractive means of inhibiting viral replication, as oligonucleotides can be designed to interact with any viral RNA, provided its sequence is known. The ensuing targeted destruction of viral RNA should interfere with viral replication without entailing negative effects on ongoing cellular processes. In this review, we will give some examples of the employment of antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, and RNA interference strategies for antiviral purposes. Currently, in spite of encouraging results in preclinical studies, only a few antisense oligonucleotides and ribozymes have turned out to be efficient antiviral compounds in clinical trials. The advent of RNA interference now seems to be refueling hopes for decisive progress in the field of therapeutic employment of antisense strategies.

Suppression of hepatitis A virus genome translation and replication by siRNAs targeting the internal ribosomal entry site

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the coding region of hepatitis A virus (HAV) were shown to specifically inhibit viral genome replication. Compared to the coding region, the HAV internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) in the 5' non-coding region is highly sequence-conserved and folds into stable secondary structures. Here, we report efficient and sustained RNA interference mediated by both RNase III-prepared siRNA (esiRNA) and vector-derived short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) that are targeted to various domains of the HAV IRES. Using reporter constructs, and the DNA-based HAV replicon system, we found that shRNAs targeting the HAV IRES domains IIIc and V sustainably suppressed genome translation and replication whereas the IRES domains IIIa and IV were resistant to RNA interference. Our study suggests that some HAV IRES domains might be used as a universal and effective target for specific inhibition of HAV infection.

Actively replicating West Nile virus is resistant to cytoplasmic delivery of siRNA

Background

West Nile virus is an emerging human pathogen for which specific antiviral therapy has not been developed. Recent studies have suggested that RNA interference (RNAi) has therapeutic potential as a sequence specific inhibitor of viral infection. Here, we examine the ability of exogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to block the replication of West Nile virus in human cells.

Results

WNV replication and infection was greatly reduced when siRNA were introduced by cytoplasmic-targeted transfection prior to but not after the establishment of viral replication. WNV appeared to evade rather than actively block the RNAi machinery, as sequence-specific reduction in protein expression of a heterologous transgene was still observed in WNV-infected cells. However, sequence-specific decreases in WNV RNA were observed in cells undergoing active viral replication when siRNA was transfected by an alternate method, electroporation.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that actively replicating WNV RNA may not be exposed to the cytoplasmic RNAi machinery. Thus, conventional lipid-based siRNA delivery systems may not be adequate for therapy against enveloped RNA viruses that replicate in specialized membrane compartments.

Hepatitis C virus replicons escape RNA interference induced by a short interfering RNA directed against the NS5b coding region

RNA interference represents an exciting new technology that could have therapeutic applications for the treatment of viral infections. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease and affects over 270 million individuals worldwide. The HCV genome is a single-stranded RNA that functions as both an mRNA and a replication template, making it an attractive target for therapeutic approaches using short interfering RNA (siRNA). We have shown previously that double-stranded siRNA molecules designed to target the HCV genome block gene expression and RNA synthesis from hepatitis C replicons propagated in human liver cells. However, we now show that this block is not complete. After several treatments with a highly effective siRNA, we have shown growth of replicon RNAs that are resistant to subsequent treatment with the same siRNA. However, these replicon RNAs were not resistant to siRNA targeting another part of the genome. Sequence analysis of the siRNA-resistant replicons showed the generation of point mutations within the siRNA target sequence. In addition, the use of a combination of two siRNAs together severely limited escape mutant evolution. This suggests that RNA interference activity could be used as a treatment to reduce the devastating effects of HCV replication on the liver and the use of multiple siRNAs could prevent the emergence of resistant viruses.

Short hairpin RNA targeted to the highly conserved 2B nonstructural protein coding region inhibits replication of multiple serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is one of the most contagious agents of animals. Recent disease outbreaks in FMD-free countries have prompted the development of new control strategies that could improve the levels of protection against this virus. We have delivered a plasmid expressing a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) directed against a highly conserved sequence in the 2B nonstructural protein coding region of FMDV RNA to porcine cells. After virus infection, these cells showed a significant reduction in the synthesis of viral RNA and proteins, as well as a decrease in virus yield when compared to control cells. The antiviral effect was sequence specific and not attributable to induction of the interferon pathway. Since FMDV is an antigenically variable virus, we examined the effectiveness of this strategy against multiple serotypes and found that expressed 2B shRNA resulted in efficient silencing of at least 4 FMDV serotypes. Thus, RNA interference may be a potential alternative control strategy to limit the spread of this highly contagious virus in livestock.

RNAi, a new therapeutic strategy against viral infection

RNA interference (RNAi) is an adaptive defense mechanism triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). It is a powerful reverse genetic tool that has been widely employed to silence gene expression in mammalian and human cells. RNAi-based gene therapies, especially in viral diseases have become more and more interesting and promising. Recently, small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be used to protect host from viral infection, inhibit the expression of viral antigen and accessory genes, control the transcription and replication of viral genome, hinder the assembly of viral particles, and display influences in virus-host interactions. In this review, we attempt to present recent progresses of this breakthrough technology in the above fields and summarize the possibilities of siRNA-based drugs.

RNA silencing in productive virus infections

RNA silencing can reduce the expression of specific genes through posttranscriptional gene silencing, the microRNA pathway, and also through transcriptional gene silencing. Posttranscriptional gene silencing also acts as an antivirus mechanism. By suppressing this antivirus defense mechanism, viruses affect all three silencing pathways in addition to the intercellular signaling mechanism that transmits RNA-based messages throughout the plant. Productive virus infection may therefore disrupt the normal gene expression patterns in plants, resulting, at least in part, in a symptomatic phenotype. This review examines the cellular world that viruses exploit to provide some insight into the molecular interactions that occur during the virus infection cycle and how these produce the symptoms on infected plants.

RNA silencing of rotavirus gene expression

RNA interference (RNAi) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-triggered mechanism for suppressing gene expression, which is conserved in evolution and has emerged as a powerful tool to study gene function. Rotaviruses, the leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children, are formed by three concentric layers of protein, and a genome composed of 11 segments of dsRNA. Here, we show that the RNAi machinery can be triggered to silence rotavirus gene expression by sequence-specific short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). RNAi is also useful for the study of the virus-cell interactions, through the silencing of cellular genes that are potentially important for the replication of the virus. Interestingly, while the translation of mRNAs is readily stopped by the RNAi machinery, the viral transcripts involved in virus genome replication do not seem to be susceptible to RNAi. Since gene silencing by RNAi is very efficient and specific, this system could become a novel therapeutic approach for rotavirus and other virus infections, once efficient methods for in vivo delivery of siRNAs are developed. Although the use of RNAi as an antiviral therapeutic tool remains to be demonstrated, there is no doubt that this technology will influence drastically the way postgenomic virus research is conducted.