Antiviral potency of a siRNA targeting a conserved region of coxsackievirus A24

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Nov 14;376(2):389-94. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.08.169. Epub 2008 Sep 13.

Abstract

Coxsackievirus A24 (CVA24) is responsible for acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, a highly contagious eye disease for which no prevention or treatment is currently available. We thus assessed the antiviral potential of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting CVA24. HeLa cells with or without four different siRNAs complementary to 2C or 3D genome region, were challenged with various CVA24s. Among several siRNAs, a siRNA targeting the highly conserved genome region called the cis-acting replication element (CVA24-CRE), was the only siRNA that decreased virus replication and subsequent cytotoxicity by both CVA24 variant and clinical isolates. Furthermore, CVA24-CRE had effective antiviral activity against CVA24 in primary human conjunctival cells. In addition, CVA24-CRE was highly resistant to the emergence of genetically altered escape mutants. Collectively, the present study provides evidence that CVA24-CRE targeting a conserved viral genome region had universal, prolonged anti-CVA24 activity. This siRNA may thus hold a potential to act clinically as a novel anti-CVA24 agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / drug effects
  • Enterovirus C, Human / drug effects*
  • Enterovirus C, Human / genetics
  • Enterovirus C, Human / physiology
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*
  • Virus Replication / genetics

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • RNA, Small Interfering