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RNA Interference pp 397–422Cite as

A Potential Therapeutic for Pandemic Influenza Using RNA Interference

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 623))

Abstract

RNA interference (RNAi) involves sequence-specific downregulation of target genes, leading to gene silencing in vitro and in vivo. Synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), formulated with appropriate delivery agents, can serve as effective tools for RNAi-based therapeutics. The potential of siRNA to provide antiviral activity has been studied extensively in many respiratory viruses, including influenza virus, wherein specific siRNAs target highly-conserved regions of influenza viral genome, leading to potent inhibition of viral RNA replication. Despite various delivery strategies, such as polycations and liposomes that have been employed to formulate siRNAs, effective delivery modalities are still needed. Although current strategies can provide significant biodistribution and delivery into lungs allowing gene silencing, complete protection and prolonged survival rates against multiple strains of influenza virus still remains a key challenge. Here, we describe methods and procedures pertaining to screening and selection of highly effective influenza-specific siRNAs in cell culture, in mice, and in the ferret model. This will be potentially useful to evaluate RNAi as a therapeutic modality for future clinical application.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Virology, MDRNA Inc., Bothell, WA, USA

    Shaguna Seth, Michael V. Templin, Gregory Severson & Oleksandr Baturevych

Authors
  1. Shaguna Seth
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  2. Michael V. Templin
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  3. Gregory Severson
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  4. Oleksandr Baturevych
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shaguna Seth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Surgery, Pathology & Oncology, University of Western Ontario, Windermere Road 339, London, N6A 5A5, Canada

    Wei-Ping Min

  2. MediStem Laboratories, Inc., E. Cedar Street 2027, Tempe, 85281, USA

    Thomas Ichim

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Seth, S., Templin, M.V., Severson, G., Baturevych, O. (2010). A Potential Therapeutic for Pandemic Influenza Using RNA Interference. In: Min, WP., Ichim, T. (eds) RNA Interference. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 623. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-588-0_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-588-0_26

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-587-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-588-0

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