Targeted delivery of mutant tolerant anti-coxsackievirus artificial microRNAs using folate conjugated bacteriophage Phi29 pRNA.

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 app

SUBMITTER: Ye X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3115994 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature