Targeted delivery of hepatitis C virus-specific short hairpin RNA in mouse liver using Sendai virosomes.
Internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation of input viral RNA is the initial required step for the replication of the positive-stranded genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV). We have shown previously the importance of the GCAC sequence near the initiator AUG within the stem and loop IV (SLIV) region in mediating ribosome assembly on HCV RNA. Here, we demonstrate selective inhibition of HCV-IRES-mediated translation using short hairpin (sh)RNA targeting the same site within the HCV IRES. sh-SLIV showed significant inhibition of viral RNA replication in a human hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh7) cell line harbouring a HCV monocistronic replicon. More importantly, co-transfection of infectious HCV-H77s RNA and sh-SLIV in Huh7.5 cells successfully demonstrated a significant decrease in viral RNA in HCV cell culture. Additionally, we report, for the first time, the targeted delivery of sh-SLIV RNA into mice liver using Sendai virosomes and demonstrate selective inhibition of HCV-IRES-mediated translation. Results provide the proof of concept that Sendai virosomes could be used for the efficient delivery of shRNAs into liver tissue to block HCV replication.
Subramanian
Nithya
N
Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Mani
Prashant
P
Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India.
Roy
Swagata
S
Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Gnanasundram
Sivakumar Vadivel
SV
Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Sarkar
Debi P
DP
Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi 110021, India.
Das
Saumitra
S
Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029082:Sendai virus / Q000235:genetics; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D022701:Virosomes; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012367:RNA, Viral; D022701:Virosomes; D008156:Luciferases