Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms.

Immunostimulatory properties and antiviral activity of modified HBV-specific siRNAs.

Shin D, Kim SI, Park M, Kim M

Vaccine Division, Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute, 341, Bojeong-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Kyonggi-do 449-913, Republic of Korea.

Sequence-specific gene silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) is an intense area of focus in the development of novel therapeutic agents. Currently, there are two major hurdles to achieving clinically effective siRNA-based therapeutics: establishment of an efficient delivery system that transfers the siRNA to the correct tissue(s); and the reduction of unintended immunotoxicity associated with unmodified siRNA. We have developed a novel liver-specific delivery system of apolipoprotein A-I-decorated cationic lipids (DTC-Apo). Here, we show that intravenous injection of an unmodified hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific siRNA encapsulated in DTC-Apo activates the innate immune response in mice. However, 2'-O-methyl (2'-OMe) modification of siRNA sense-strand uridine or uridine/adenosine residues efficiently abrogated the immunostimulatory properties of the siRNA and also silenced viral replication. In contrast, pyrimidine modification by 2'-OMe or 2'-fluoro (2'-F) substitution failed to circumvent liposome-induced immune recognition. Our findings provide useful information for the design of chemically-modified siRNAs for in vivo applications.

Published 7 November 2007 in Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 364(3): 436-42.
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