RNA interference and antiviral therapy

doi:10.3748/wjg.v13.i39.5169

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Oct 21, 2007 (publication date) through Nov 12, 2024

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World Journal of Gastroenterology

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1007-9327

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2007; 13(39): 5169-5179
Published online Oct 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i39.5169

RNA interference and antiviral therapy

Yan Ma, Chu-Yan Chan, Ming-Liang He

Yan Ma, Chu-Yan Chan, Ming-Liang He, Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.

Supported by RFCID, No 01030152, RGC, CUHK4428/06M, ITF ITS091/03 of Hong Kong Government, and Faculty Direct Fund of the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Correspondence to: Professor Ming-Liang He, Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China. mlhe@cuhk.edu.hk

Telephone: +852-22528812 Fax: + 852-26354977

Received: May 19, 2007
Revised: July 23, 2007
Accepted: August 11, 2007
Published online: October 21, 2007

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) is an evolutionally conserved gene silencing mechanism present in a variety of eukaryotic species. RNAi uses short double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to trigger degradation or translation repression of homologous RNA targets in a sequence-specific manner. This system can be induced effectively in vitro and in vivo by direct application of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), or by expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) with non-viral and viral vectors. To date, RNAi has been extensively used as a novel and effective tool for functional genomic studies, and has displayed great potential in treating human diseases, including human genetic and acquired disorders such as cancer and viral infections. In the present review, we focus on the recent development in the use of RNAi in the prevention and treatment of viral infections. The mechanisms, strategies, hurdles and prospects of employing RNAi in the pharmaceutical industry are also discussed.

Keywords: RNA interference; Short hairpin RNA; Micro RNA; Antiviral therapy; Viral infection; Human immunodeficiency virus; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis B virus; SARS-coronavirus