RNAi: antiviral therapy against dengue virus

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 Mar;3(3):232-6. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60057-X.

Abstract

Dengue virus infection has become a global threat affecting around 100 countries in the world. Currently, there is no licensed antiviral agent available against dengue. Thus, there is a strong need to develop therapeutic strategies that can tackle this life threatening disease. RNA interference is an important and effective gene silencing process which degrades targeted RNA by a sequence specific process. Several studies have been conducted during the last decade to evaluate the efficiency of siRNA in inhibiting dengue virus replication. This review summarizes siRNAs as a therapeutic approach against dengue virus serotypes and concludes that siRNAs against virus and host genes can be next generation treatment of dengue virus infection.

Keywords: Dengue haemorrhagic fever; Dengue virus; RNA interference; Small interference RNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dengue / therapy*
  • Dengue Virus / genetics*
  • Humans
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering