tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Virol. 2014 Feb 26. [Epub ahead of print]
Defective interfering influenza virus RNAs: time to re-evaluate their clinical potential as broad spectrum antivirals?
Dimmock NJ1, Easton AJ.
Author information
Abstract
Defective interfering (DI) RNAs are highly deleted forms of the infectious genome that are made by most families of RNA viruses. DI RNAs retain replication and packaging signals, are synthesized preferentially over infectious genomes, and are packaged as DI virus particles which can be transmitted to susceptible cells. Their ability to interfere with the replication of infectious virus in cell culture, and their potential as antivirals in the clinic has long been known. However, up to now, no realistic formulation has been described. In this review, we consider the early evidence of antiviral activity by DI viruses and, using the example of DI influenza A virus, and outline developments that have led to the production of a cloned DI RNA that is highly active in preclinical studies not only against different subtypes of influenza A virus but also against heterologous respiratory viruses. These data suggest that it is timely to reassess the potential of DI viruses as a novel class of antivirals that may have general applicability.
PMID:
24574404
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24574404
Defective interfering influenza virus RNAs: time to re-evaluate their clinical potential as broad spectrum antivirals?
Dimmock NJ1, Easton AJ.
Author information
Abstract
Defective interfering (DI) RNAs are highly deleted forms of the infectious genome that are made by most families of RNA viruses. DI RNAs retain replication and packaging signals, are synthesized preferentially over infectious genomes, and are packaged as DI virus particles which can be transmitted to susceptible cells. Their ability to interfere with the replication of infectious virus in cell culture, and their potential as antivirals in the clinic has long been known. However, up to now, no realistic formulation has been described. In this review, we consider the early evidence of antiviral activity by DI viruses and, using the example of DI influenza A virus, and outline developments that have led to the production of a cloned DI RNA that is highly active in preclinical studies not only against different subtypes of influenza A virus but also against heterologous respiratory viruses. These data suggest that it is timely to reassess the potential of DI viruses as a novel class of antivirals that may have general applicability.
PMID:
24574404
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24574404