Using RNA interference strategy to prevent and control the infection of SARS-CoV-2

Using RNA interference strategy to prevent and control the infection of SARS-CoV-2

     COVID-19 has sparked and caused disaster around the world. Although there are vaccines and drugs (such as Remdesivir, Naimatevir, Ritonavir, etc.) that can be used for prevention and treatment for COVID-19, the virus mutates too quickly, and the protective effect of vaccines and drugs may be broken at any time. Therefore, to develop an alternative strategy for prevention or therapeutics of SARS-CoV-2 infection is urgent.

     At the beginning of 2020, using RNA interference approach, we designed two small interference RNAs (siRNAs) that can target with different gene segments of the Wuhan virus strain of SARS-CoV-2. These two siRNA constructions have been transfected into African green monkey cells, and challenged with clinical isolated SARS-CoV-2 virus strain. The result demonstrated that these siRNA constructions could significantly suppress viral replication about 50%. Using BLAST analysis, both siRNAs could target on more than six million known SARS-CoV-2 strains. Most importantly, one of the siRNAs that we designed could recognize and target on Omicron strain, a difficult strain of SARS-CoV-2. Because the preparation of siRNA is simple, and the design of targeting sequence can be changed immediately according to the current viral gene sequence. Therefore, it is more suitable for use in dealing with viruses with a high mutation rate like SARS-CoV-2.

     In the future, we suggest that using different siRNAs mixture as cocktail to against various mutants of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, through formulation design, a nasal spray formulation can be made, which will be used for the prevention and treatment of the respiratory tract infected SARS-CoV-2.

Application and Highlights:

1.siRNA against SARS-CoV-2 virus exerts highly specificity, and the manufacture is simple, fast, and cheap.

2.Viruses with high mutation ability, the protection of vaccines or anti-viral drugs may be broken at any time. Fortunately, siRNA approach can be changed immediately with the mutated viral sequence and to maintain its effect.

3.It can be formulated as nasal spray, which is easy to use for the treatment or prevention of respiratory infections by SARS-CoV-2.

Research Team Members:

Ying-Ray Lee, Huey-Pin Tsai, Chun-Sheng Yeh, Chiung-Yao Fang, Michael W. Y. Chan, Tzu-Yun Wu and Cheng-Huang Shen

Representative Department:

Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Research, Kaohsiung Medical University

Introduction of Research Team:

Dr. Ying-Ray Lee is an Associate Professor of Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Adjunct Associate Professor of Faculty of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine and Master of Science Program in Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, and is an Investigator of Center for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Research, Kaohsiung Medical University.

E-mail: yingray.lee@gmailc.om

MS. Huey-Pin Tsai is the leader of virus group in Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, and is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University.

E-mail: tsaihp@ncku.edu.tw

Dr. Cheng-Huang Shen is a clinical doctor of Department of Urology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Department of Health and Nutrition Biotechnology, Asia University.

E-mail: 01712@cych.org.tw

Publication: Viruses. 2023, 15(1): 100.

Full-Text Article: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/1/100