Harnessing endogenous miRNA targeting ZIKV: A cutting-edge strategy to inhibit virus infection

Autor(es)

Rosa, Rhubia S. M. ; Palameta, Soledad ; Toscaro, Jessica M. ; Miller, Michael E. ; Lopes-de-Oliveira, Paulo S. ; Bajgelman, Marcio C.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS; v. 36, n. 2, p. 12-pg., 2025-06-10.

Resumo

Emerging RNA virus outbreaks, including Zika virus, highlight the urgent need for novel antiviral strategies. Zika virus, a positive-strand RNA virus, causes congenital Zika syndrome, and to date, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments. In this context, microRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and show potential as antiviral agents due to their ability to target viral RNA, making them a promising therapeutic approach against Zika syndrome. In this study, we identified endogenous microRNAs that interact with the virus genome using computational algorithms and overexpressed them in VERO cells. Twelve micro-RNAs reduced viral cytopathic effects by more than 50% in cells infected with a Brazilian Zika virus strain. Additionally, we used a computational platform to select pharmacological compounds capable of modulating endogenous microRNAs in human cells, achieving over 90% inhibition of Zika virus activity. These findings offer a promising path through drug re-purposing for antiviral therapy by modulating endogenous microRNAs, with potential applications for other positive-strand RNA viruses. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 21/09107-9 - Desenvolvimento de uma estratégia de imunoterapia para para inibição de células T regulatórias e potencialização de vacinas antitumorais, baseada na utilização de aptâmeros quiméricos
• Beneficiário: Marcio Chaim Bajgelman
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 23/12245-0 - Investigação do efeito terapêutico de vacinas imunomodulatórias, derivadas de células humanas modificadas com vetores virais, para potencializar a resposta antitumoral em modelo de câncer de mama humano triplo negativo
• Beneficiário: Marcio Chaim Bajgelman
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular