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Elbadawy HM, Mohammed Abdul MI, Aljuhani N, Vitiello A, Ciccarese F, Shaker MA, Eltahir HM, Palù G, Di Antonio V, Ghassabian H, Del Vecchio C, Salata C, Franchin E, Ponterio E, Bahashwan S, Thabet K, Abouzied MM, Shehata AM, Parolin C, Calistri A, Alvisi G. Generation of Combinatorial Lentiviral Vectors Expressing Multiple Anti-Hepatitis C Virus shRNAs and Their Validation on a Novel HCV Replicon Double Reporter Cell Line. Viruses 2020; 12:v12091044. [PMID: 32962117 PMCID: PMC7551853 DOI: 10.3390/v12091044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the introduction of directly acting antivirals (DAAs), for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, their cost, patient compliance, and viral resistance are still important issues to be considered. Here, we describe the generation of a novel JFH1-based HCV subgenomic replicon double reporter cell line suitable for testing different antiviral drugs and therapeutic interventions. This cells line allowed a rapid and accurate quantification of cell growth/viability and HCV RNA replication, thus discriminating specific from unspecific antiviral effects caused by DAAs or cytotoxic compounds, respectively. By correlating cell number and virus replication, we could confirm the inhibitory effect on the latter of cell over confluency and characterize an array of lentiviral vectors expressing single, double, or triple cassettes containing different combinations of short hairpin (sh)RNAs, targeting both highly conserved viral genome sequences and cellular factors crucial for HCV replication. While all vectors were effective in reducing HCV replication, the ones targeting viral sequences displayed a stronger antiviral effect, without significant cytopathic effects. Such combinatorial platforms as well as the developed double reporter cell line might find application both in setting-up anti-HCV gene therapy approaches and in studies aimed at further dissecting the viral biology/pathogenesis of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein M. Elbadawy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.E.); (N.A.); (H.M.E.); (S.B.); (M.M.A.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Mohi I. Mohammed Abdul
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.E.); (N.A.); (H.M.E.); (S.B.); (M.M.A.); (A.M.S.)
- Correspondence: (M.I.M.A.); (A.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Naif Aljuhani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.E.); (N.A.); (H.M.E.); (S.B.); (M.M.A.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Adriana Vitiello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
| | - Francesco Ciccarese
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Mohamed A. Shaker
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia;
- Pharmaceutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt
| | - Heba M. Eltahir
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.E.); (N.A.); (H.M.E.); (S.B.); (M.M.A.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Giorgio Palù
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
| | - Veronica Di Antonio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
- Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Hanieh Ghassabian
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
| | - Claudia Del Vecchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
| | - Cristiano Salata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
| | - Elisa Franchin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
| | - Eleonora Ponterio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli"—I.R.C.C.S., 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Saleh Bahashwan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.E.); (N.A.); (H.M.E.); (S.B.); (M.M.A.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Khaled Thabet
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt;
| | - Mekky M. Abouzied
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.E.); (N.A.); (H.M.E.); (S.B.); (M.M.A.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed M. Shehata
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Almadinah Almunawwarah 41477, Saudi Arabia; (H.M.E.); (N.A.); (H.M.E.); (S.B.); (M.M.A.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology and toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef 62511, Egypt
| | - Cristina Parolin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
| | - Arianna Calistri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (M.I.M.A.); (A.C.); (G.A.)
| | - Gualtiero Alvisi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (A.V.); (F.C.); (G.P.); (V.D.A.); (H.G.); (C.D.V.); (C.S.); (E.F.); (E.P.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (M.I.M.A.); (A.C.); (G.A.)
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Aljowaie RM, Almajhdi FN, Ali HH, El-Wetidy MS, Shier MK. Inhibition of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 replication using siRNA targeted to the viral core region and the CD81 cellular receptor. Cell Stress Chaperones 2020; 25:345-355. [PMID: 32060691 PMCID: PMC7058739 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-020-01077-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most important causative agents of hepatitis worldwide. The current study aimed to evaluate the silencing effect of the small interference RNA (siRNA) molecules designed against the core region of HCV genotype 4 (HCV-4) and the CD81 gene, which is the cellular receptor for HCV in the human hepatocytes. RT-PCR was used to measure the changes in both the viral HCV core and the cellular CD81 genes induced by the specific siRNA molecules. Additionally, the fluctuations in either the viral or the cellular proteins of the target regions were tested by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The results showed the effectiveness of the used siRNA molecules against the target genes in either RNA or protein levels. The effect of 100 nM of siCD81 and 40 nM of siCore was more evident at 24 and 48 h post-transfection. The combination of the two siRNA molecules resulted in an extra inhibitory effect of the HCV core at both the RNA (85.6%) and protein (98.5%) levels. The current study suggested that targeting of the CD81 cellular receptor and/or the viral HCV core region by the small interference molecules might be a suitable choice in the suppression of HCV-4 replication. This might assist the development of new antiviral medications and provides a new alternative strategy for the targeting and treatment of HCV genotype 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem M Aljowaie
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Fahad N Almajhdi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hebatallh H Ali
- College of Medicine Research Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Medhat K Shier
- College of Medicine Research Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Menofia University, Shibin el Kom, Egypt
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Rogers GL, Cannon PM. Gene Therapy Approaches to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Other Infectious Diseases. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2017; 31:883-895. [PMID: 28895854 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Advances in gene therapy technologies, particularly in gene editing, are suggesting new avenues for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus and other infectious diseases. This article outlines recent developments in antiviral gene therapies, including those based on the disruption of entry receptors or that target viral genomes using targeted nucleases, such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system. In addition, new ways to express circulating antiviral factors, such as antibodies, and approaches to harness and engineer the immune system to provide an antiviral effect that is not naturally achieved are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey L Rogers
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 413A, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Paula M Cannon
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 413A, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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Shin J, MacCarthy T. Potential for evolution of complex defense strategies in a multi-scale model of virus-host coevolution. BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:233. [PMID: 27784264 PMCID: PMC5080737 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0804-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Host resistance and viral pathogenicity are determined by molecular interactions that are part of the evolutionary arms race between viruses and their hosts. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and entry to the host cell is the first step of any virus infection. Commonly, viruses enter host cells by binding cell surface receptors. We adopt a computational modeling approach to study the evolution of the first infection step, where we consider two possible levels of resistance mechanism: at the level of the binding interaction between the host receptor and a virus binding protein, and at the level of receptor protein expression where we use a standard gene regulatory network model. At the population level we adopted the Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible (SIS) model. We used our multi-scale model to understand what conditions might determine the balance between use of resistance mechanisms at the two different levels. Results We explored a range of different conditions (model parameters) that affect host evolutionary dynamics and, in particular, the balance between the use of different resistance mechanisms. These conditions include the complexity of the receptor binding protein-protein interaction, selection pressure on the host population (pathogenicity), and the number of expressed cell-surface receptors. In particular, we found that as the receptor binding complexity (understood as the number of amino acids involved in the interaction between the virus entry protein and the host receptor) increases, viruses tend to become specialists and target one specific receptor. At the same time, on the host side, the potential for resistance shifts from the changes at the level of receptor binding (protein-protein) interaction towards changes at the level of gene regulation, suggesting a mechanism for increased biological complexity. Conclusions Host resistance and viral pathogenicity depend on quite different evolutionary conditions. Viruses may evolve cell entry strategies that use small receptor binding regions, represented by low complexity binding in our model. Our modeling results suggest that if the virus adopts a strategy based on binding to low complexity sites on the host receptor, the host will select a defense strategy at the protein (receptor) level, rather than at the level of the regulatory network - a virus-host strategy that appears to have been selected most often in nature. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0804-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeewoen Shin
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Thomas MacCarthy
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA. .,Laufer Center for Physical and Quantitative Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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Mandal A, Ganta KK, Chaubey B. Combinations of siRNAs against La Autoantigen with NS5B or hVAP-A Have Additive Effect on Inhibition of HCV Replication. HEPATITIS RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2016; 2016:9671031. [PMID: 27446609 PMCID: PMC4942654 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9671031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus is major cause of chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Presently available direct-acting antiviral drugs have improved success rate; however, high cost limits their utilization, especially in developing countries like India. In the present study, we evaluated anti-HCV potential of several siRNAs targeted against the HCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase NS5B and cellular factors, La autoantigen, PSMA7, and human VAMP-associated protein to intercept different steps of viral life cycle. The target genes were downregulated individually as well as in combinations and their impact on viral replication was evaluated. Individual downregulation of La autoantigen, PSMA7, hVAP-A, and NS5B resulted in inhibition of HCV replication by about 67.2%, 50.7%, 39%, and 52%, respectively. However, antiviral effect was more pronounced when multiple genes were downregulated simultaneously. Combinations of siRNAs against La autoantigen with NS5B or hVAP-A resulted in greater inhibition in HCV replication. Our findings indicate that siRNA is a potential therapeutic tool for inhibiting HCV replication and simultaneously targeting multiple viral steps with the combination of siRNAs is more effective than silencing a single target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirban Mandal
- Centre for Advance Studies, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Krishna Kumar Ganta
- Centre for Advance Studies, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Binay Chaubey
- Centre for Advance Studies, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, India
- Laboratory of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, UG and MUG, Abrahama 58 Street, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland
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Naga M, Amin M, Algendy D, Elbadry A, Fawzi M, Foda A, Esmat S, Sabry D, Rashed L, Gabal S, Kamal M. Low-density lipoprotein receptor genetic polymorphism in chronic hepatitis C virus Egyptian patients affects treatment response. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:11141-11151. [PMID: 26494968 PMCID: PMC4607911 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i39.11141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2015] [Revised: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To correlate a genetic polymorphism of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor with antiviral responses in Egyptian chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. METHODS Our study included 657 HCV-infected patients with genotype 4 who received interferon-based combination therapy. Patients were divided into two groups based on their response to therapy: 356 were responders, and 301 were non-responders. Patients were compared to 160 healthy controls. All patients and controls underwent a thorough physical examination, measurement of body mass index (BMI) and the following laboratory tests: serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, prothrombin time, prothrombin concentration, INR, complete blood count, serum creatinine, fasting blood sugar, HCV antibody, and hepatitis B surface antigen. All HCV patients were further subjected to the following laboratory tests: HCV-RNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), antinuclear antibodies, thyroid-stimulating hormone, an LDL receptor (LDLR) genotype study of LDLR exon8c.1171G>A and exon10c.1413G>A using real-time PCR-based assays, abdominal ultrasonography, ultrasonographic-guided liver biopsy, and histopathological examination of liver biopsies. Correlations of LDL receptor polymorphisms with HAI, METAVIR score, presence of steatosis, and BMI were performed in all cases. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in response rates between the different types of interferon used or LDLR exon10c.1413G>A. However, there was a significant difference in the frequency of the LDL receptor exon8c.1171G>A genotype between cases (AA: 25.9%, GA: 22.2%, GG: 51.9%) and controls (AA: 3.8%, GA: 53.1% and GG: 43.1%) (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of the LDLR exon 8C:1171 G>A polymorphism between responders (AA: 3.6%, GA: 15.2%, GG: 81.2%) and non-responders (AA: 52.2%, GA: 30.6%, GG: 17.2%) (P < 0.001). The G allele of LDL receptor exon8c.1171G>A predominated in cases and controls over the A allele, and a statistically significant association with response to interferon was observed. The frequency of the LDLR exon8c.1171G>A allele in non-responders was: A: 67.4% and G: 32.6 vs A: 11.2% and G: 88.8% in responders (P < 0.001). Therefore, carriers of the A allele exhibited a 16.4 times greater risk for non-response. There was a significant association between LDL receptors exon8 c.1171G>A and HAI (P < 0.011). There was a significant association between LDL receptors exon8c.1171G>A and BMI. The mean BMI level was highest in patients carrying the AA genotype (28.7 ± 4.7 kg/m(2)) followed by the GA genotype (28.1 ± 4.8 kg/m(2)). The lowest BMI was the GG genotype (26.6 ± 4.3 kg/m(2)) (P < 0.001). The only significant associations were found between LDL receptors exon8 c.1171G>A and METAVIR score or steatosis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION LDL receptor gene polymorphisms play a role in the treatment response of HCV and the modulation of disease progression in Egyptians infected with chronic HCV.
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Scomparin A, Polyak D, Krivitsky A, Satchi-Fainaro R. Achieving successful delivery of oligonucleotides--From physico-chemical characterization to in vivo evaluation. Biotechnol Adv 2015; 33:1294-309. [PMID: 25916823 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference is one of the most promising fields in modern medicine to treat several diseases, ranging from cancer to cardiac diseases, passing through viral infections and metabolic pathologies. Since the discovery of the potential therapeutic properties of non-self oligonucleotides, it was clear that it is important to develop delivery systems that are able to increase plasma stability and bestow membrane-crossing abilities to the oligonucleotides in order to reach their cytoplasmic targets. Polymer therapeutics, among other systems, are widely investigated as delivery systems for therapeutic agents, such as oligonucleotides. Physico-chemical characterization of the supramolecular polyplexes obtained upon charge interaction or covalent conjugation between the polymeric carrier and the oligonucleotides is critical. Appropriate characterization is fundamental in order to predict and understand the in vivo silencing efficacy and to avoid undesired side effects and toxicity profile. Shedding light on the physico-chemical and in vitro requirements of a polyplex leads to an efficient in vivo delivery system for RNAi therapeutics. In this review, we will present the most common techniques for characterization of obtained polymer/oligonucleotide polyplexes and an up-to-date state of the art in vivo preclinical and clinical studies. This is the first review to deal with the difficulties in appropriate characterization of small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA (miRNA) polyplexes and conjugates which limit the clinical translation of this promising technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Scomparin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Dina Polyak
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Adva Krivitsky
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ronit Satchi-Fainaro
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Room 607, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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Mollaie HR, Monavari SHR, Arabzadeh SAM, Shamsi-Shahrabadi M, Fazlalipour M, Afshar RM. RNAi and miRNA in viral infections and cancers. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2015; 14:7045-56. [PMID: 24460249 DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.12.7045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the first report of RNA interference (RNAi) less than a decade ago, this type of molecular intervention has been introduced to repress gene expression in vitro and also for in vivo studies in mammals. Understanding the mechanisms of action of synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) underlies use as therapeutic agents in the areas of cancer and viral infection. Recent studies have also promoted different theories about cell-specific targeting of siRNAs. Design and delivery strategies for successful treatment of human diseases are becomingmore established and relationships between miRNA and RNAi pathways have been revealed as virus-host cell interactions. Although both are well conserved in plants, invertebrates and mammals, there is also variabilityand a more complete understanding of differences will be needed for optimal application. RNA interference (RNAi) is rapid, cheap and selective in complex biological systems and has created new insight sin fields of cancer research, genetic disorders, virology and drug design. Our knowledge about the role of miRNAs and siRNAs pathways in virus-host cell interactions in virus infected cells is incomplete. There are different viral diseases but few antiviral drugs are available. For example, acyclovir for herpes viruses, alpha-interferon for hepatitis C and B viruses and anti-retroviral for HIV are accessible. Also cancer is obviously an important target for siRNA-based therapies, but the main problem in cancer therapy is targeting metastatic cells which spread from the original tumor. There are also other possible reservations and problems that might delay or even hinder siRNA-based therapies for the treatment of certain conditions; however, this remains the most promising approach for a wide range of diseases. Clearly, more studies must be done to allow efficient delivery and better understanding of unwanted side effects of siRNA-based therapies. In this review miRNA and RNAi biology, experimental design, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Reza Mollaie
- Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail :
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Lee CH, Kim JH, Lee SW. Prospects for nucleic acid-based therapeutics against hepatitis C virus. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:8949-8962. [PMID: 24379620 PMCID: PMC3870548 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i47.8949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2013] [Revised: 11/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss recent advances in nucleic acid-based therapeutic technologies that target hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Because the HCV genome is present exclusively in RNA form during replication, various nucleic acid-based therapeutic approaches targeting the HCV genome, such as ribozymes, aptamers, siRNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides, have been suggested as potential tools against HCV. Nucleic acids are potentially immunogenic and typically require a delivery tool to be utilized as therapeutics. These limitations have hampered the clinical development of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. However, despite these limitations, nucleic acid-based therapeutics has clinical value due to their great specificity, easy and large-scale synthesis with chemical methods, and pharmaceutical flexibility. Moreover, nucleic acid therapeutics are expected to broaden the range of targetable molecules essential for the HCV replication cycle, and therefore they may prove to be more effective than existing therapeutics, such as interferon-α and ribavirin combination therapy. This review focuses on the current status and future prospects of ribozymes, aptamers, siRNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides as therapeutic reagents against HCV.
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Tariq M, Manzoor S, Ahmed QL, Khalid M, Ashraf W. NOX4 induces oxidative stress and apoptosis through upregulation of caspases 3 and 9 and downregulation of TIGAR in HCV-infected Huh-7 cells. Future Virol 2013. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl.13.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Aim: The present study was designed to determine the potential role of oxidative stress in the induction of apoptosis in a transient in vitro model of HCV-infected Huh-7 cells. Material & methods: A transient in vitro infectivity model of a Huh-7 cell line was established using serum from HCV genotype 3a patients. Quantitative expression of selected genes was measured using real-time PCR. Results: A test of the apoptotic responses of cells under stressful conditions showed a significant increase in selected oxidative stress and apoptotic markers, along with a significant decrease in expression of antioxidants following inoculation in a time-dependent manner. A significant decrease in TIGAR and a significant increase in p53 expression levels at day 6 suggested the possible role of p53 and TIGAR in the induction of apoptosis and oxidative stimuli in experimental Huh-7/HCV cell lines. Conclusion: Collectively, the findings of the current study suggest a role for p53 and TIGAR in HCV-induced apoptosis in the presence of oxidative stress in a Huh-7 cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muqddas Tariq
- Atta-ur-Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Sobia Manzoor
- Atta-ur-Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Qazi Laeeque Ahmed
- Atta-ur-Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Madiha Khalid
- Atta-ur-Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Waseem Ashraf
- Atta-ur-Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
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Samreen B, Khaliq S, Ashfaq UA, Khan M, Afzal N, Shahzad MA, Riaz S, Jahan S. Hepatitis C virus entry: role of host and viral factors. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2012; 12:1699-1709. [PMID: 22878095 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2012.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2012] [Revised: 07/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been considered to be a significant risk factor in developing liver associated diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma all over the world. HCV is an enveloped positive strand virus comprising a complex between genomic RNA and viral envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2), which are anchored within host derived double-layered lipid membrane surrounding the nucleocapsid composed of several copies of core protein. HCV cell entry is the first step in infection and viral replication into host cells mainly hepatocytes. HCV cell entry is a complex process involving both the viral (envelope glycoproteins E1/E2) and host factors (cellular receptors and associated factors i.e. CD81, SR-BI, LDL-R, CLDN1, Occludin, DC-SIGN, L-SIGN and Glycosaminoglycans). Besides these the expression of certain other conditions such as polarization and EWI-2 expression inhibits the viral cell entry. Exploring the mechanism of HCV entry will help to better understand the viral life cycle and possible therapeutic targets against HCV infection including viral and host factors involved in this process. New strategies such as RNAi represents a new option for targeting the host or viral factors for prevention and therapeutic against HCV infection. In the current review we try to summarize the current knowledge about mechanism and interaction of cellular and viral factors involved in HCV cell entry and its implication as therapeutic target to inhibit HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baila Samreen
- National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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