New therapeutic opportunities for Hepatitis C based on small RNA

• 作 者: Qiu-wei Pan Scot D Henry Bob J
• 机 构: Departments of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Surgery,Department of Surgery,Department of Cell Bi
• 出 处: 世界胃肠病学杂志（英文版）
• 发表日期: 2004年期
• 关键词: Hepatitis C virus therapy miR-122 RNAi Antisense oligonudeotides Viral vectors

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer and is therefore, the most common indication for liver transplantation. Conventional antiviral drugs such as pegylated interferon-alpha, taken in combination with ribavirin, represent a milestone in the therapy of this disease. However, due to different viral and host factors, clinical success can be achieved only in approximately half of patients, making urgent the requirement of exploiting alternative approaches for HCV therapy. Fortunately, recent advances in the understanding of HCV viral replication and host cell interactions have opened new possibilities for therapeutic intervention. The most recent technologies, such as small interference RNA mediated gene-silencing, antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), or viral vector based gene delivery systems, have paved the way to develop novel therapeutic modalities for HCV. In this review, we outline the application of these technologies in the context of HCV therapy. Tn particular, we will focus on the newly defined role of cellular microRNA (miR-122) in viral replication and discuss its potential for HCV molecular therapy.