Methods and compositions for reducing viral genome amounts in a target cell
View Patent ↗Methods and compositions for reducing viral genome amounts in a target cell are provided. In the subject methods, the activity of a miRNA is inhibited in a manner sufficient to reduce the amount of viral genome in the target cell, e.g., by introducing a miRNA inhibitory agent in the target cell. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, kits and systems for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of applications, including the treatment of subjects suffering from a viral mediated disease condition, e.g., an HCV mediated disease condition.
1. A method of treating a subject infected with Hepatitis C (HCV) virus comprising: administering to said subject an miRNA inhibitory agent targeted to miR-122, wherein said miRNA inhibitory agent comprises an antisense oligonucleotide complementary to said miR-122.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is a human.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is a mammal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antisense oligonucleotide is completely complementary to said miR-122.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:18.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:15.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is infected with HCV-1a.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is infected with HCV-1b.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is infected with HCV-2.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is infected with HCV-3.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is infected with HCV-4.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is infected with HCV-5.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is infected with HCV-6.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering at least one additional agent selected from the group consisting of an antiviral agent and an interferon.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one additional agent comprises an antiviral agent.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one additional agent comprises an interferon.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said interferon comprises interferon alfa-2b.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein said interferon comprises interferon alfa-2a.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein said interferon comprises interferon alfacon-1.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the interferon comprises a pegylated interferon.
21. The method of claim 14 , wherein said antiviral agent comprises ribavirin.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antisense oligonucleotide comprises a 2′-O-methyl modification.