Cholesterol paves the way for topically applied viricides.
Sexually transmitted viral infections have the potential to be prevented and treated by topical viricides. Here, Wu et al. (2009) demonstrate that cholesterol-conjugated small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting a cellular receptor combined with an antiviral siRNA when topically applied to mucosal tissue blocked lethal herpes virus infections in mice.
Rossi
J J
JJ
Department of Molecular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA. jrossi@coh.org
D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D002784:Cholesterol