title: Short interfering RNAs targeting a vampire-bat related rabies virus phosphoprotein mRNA.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo effects of short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against rabies virus phosphoprotein (P) mRNA in a post-infection treatment for rabies as an extension of a previous report (Braz J Microbiol. 2013 Nov 15;44(3):879-82). To this end, rabies virus strain RABV-4005 (related to the Desmodus rotundus vampire bat) were used to inoculate BHK-21 cells and mice, and the transfection with each of the siRNAs was made with Lipofectamine-2000™. In vitro results showed that siRNA 360 was able to inhibit the replication of strain RABV-4005 with a 1log decrease in virus titter and 5.16-fold reduction in P mRNA, 24h post-inoculation when compared to non-treated cells. In vivo, siRNA 360 was able to induce partial protection, but with no significant difference when compared to non-treated mice. These results indicate that, despite the need for improvement for in vivo applications, P mRNA might be a target for an RNAi-based treatment for rabies.
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: katyaono@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ekaterina Alexandrovna Durymanova
authors.initials: EAD
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sueli Akemi
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Taniwaki
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brandão
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000821:virology*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011818:Rabies / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014764:Viral Proteins
keywords: RNA interference; Rabies; Treatment