RNA interference and antiviral therapy.
RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionally conserved gene silencing mechanism present in a variety of eukaryotic species. RNAi uses short double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to trigger degradation or translation repression of homologous RNA targets in a sequence-specific manner. This system can be induced effectively in vitro and in vivo by direct application of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), or by expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) with non-viral and viral vectors. To date, RNAi has been extensively used as a novel and effective tool for functional genomic studies, and has displayed great potential in treating human diseases, including human genetic and acquired disorders such as cancer and viral infections. In the present review, we focus on the recent development in the use of RNAi in the prevention and treatment of viral infections. The mechanisms, strategies, hurdles and prospects of employing RNAi in the pharmaceutical industry are also discussed.
Ma
Yan
Y
Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
Chan
Chu-Yan
CY
He
Ming-Liang
ML
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D034622:RNA Interference; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics
D000998:Antiviral Agents