MicroRNAs for inhibiting viral replication
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to reducing accumulation of viral genomes in a target cell. In particular the present invention provides compositions and methods for combating viral infection through RNA interference. Specifically the present invention provides cellular microRNA mimics for treating virus-infected subjects.
1. A method for reducing accumulation of Hepatitis C virus RNA, comprising:
introducing a first isolated nucleic acid molecule into a Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected target cell in an amount sufficient for reducing accumulation of HCV RNA in said target cell, wherein said first isolated nucleic acid molecule is a miRNA mimic comprising the nucleotide sequence of a cellular microRNA selected from the group consisting of miR-196, miR-296, miR-351, miR-431 and miR-448.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cellular microRNA is said miR-196 consisting of the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:7.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cellular microRNA is said miR-296 consisting of the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:8.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cellular microRNA is said miR-351 consisting of the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:9.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cellular microRNA is said miR-431 consisting of the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:10.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cellular microRNA is said miR-448 consisting of the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:11.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising introducing a second isolated nucleic acid molecule into said HCV-infected target cell, wherein said second isolated nucleic acid molecule is an anti-miRNA comprising the nucleotide sequence complementary to miR-122.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said miR-122 consists of the nucleotide sequence set forth as SEQ ID NO:3.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said target cell is in vitro.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said target cell is in vivo.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said method comprises administering the first isolated nucleic acid molecule to a subject comprising said HCV-infected target cell.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said miRNA mimic is a mature miRNA.