title: Combating hepatitis C virus by targeting microRNA-122 using locked nucleic acids.
abstract: MicroRNAs have been predicted to regulate the stability and translation of many target mRNAs that are involved in modulating disease outcome. Thus, valuable strategies to enhance or to diminish the function of microRNAs are needed to manipulate microRNA-mediated target gene expression. Recently, it has become apparent that one class of antisense oligonucleotides, locked nucleic acids, can be used to sequester microRNAs in the liver of a variety of animals including humans, opening the possibility of applying locked nucleic acid-mediated gene therapy. This review summarizes the success of sequestration of liver-specific microRNA miR-122 by antisense locked nucleic acids and their use in combating hepatitis C virus in clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Erica S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Machlin
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sarnow
authors.forename: Selena M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sagan
mesh_terms: D015316:Genetic Therapy; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C531907:MIRN122 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012367:RNA, Viral