The speciifc inhibition of siRNAs targeting 5' untranslated region of the enterovirus 71 genome / 临床儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To screen and identify effective small interfering RNA (siRNAs) targeting the conserved 5’ untrans-lated region (UTR) of the enterovirus 71 (EV71) genome. Methods Double-stranded siRNAs were designed to target the 5’UTR of the EV71 genome. The cytotoxicity effect of siRNAs on rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells was evaluated. The cytopathic effect on EV71-infected RD cells was observed under phase-contrast microscopy and the effective siRNAs were screened out by cell viability assay and real-time TaqMan RT-PCR assay. Results All the siRNAs did not exhibit any cytotoxic effects on the viability and growth of RD cells. Transfection of si-1 and si-2 targeting the 5’ UTR in EV71 genome into RD cells signiifcantly delayed and alleviated the cytopathic effects of EV71 infection, increased cell viability and reduced the EV71 RNA transcripts. And the inhibitory effect of si-1/si-2 on EV71 replication was sequence-speciifc. Conclusions The 2 siRNAs (si-1 and si-2) targeting the conserved 5’UTR of the EV71 genome may have broad spectrum antiviral effects on many epidemic EV71 strains.