[Study on the inhibitory effect of RNA interference on replication of dengue virus]

Abstract

To investigate the inhibitory effect of RNA interference (RNAi) on dengue virus I (DENV-1) replication. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against the PreM gene of dengue virus was synthesized and transfected into C6/36 cells with liposome, which was then attacked by DENV-1 virus. The antiviral effect of siRNA was evaluated by cytopathic effect (CPE), the cell survival rate measured by MTT, and virus RNA quantified by real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that after 7 days post infection of dengue virus, the transfected C6/36 cells showed less CPE. The cell survival rate of the transfected C6/36 cells increased by 2.26 fold, and the amount of virus RNA in the transfected cells was reduced by about 97.54% as well. These findings indicated that the siRNA could effectively inhibit dengue virus RNA replication, and protect C6/36 cells from viral attack, indicating its potential role in prevention and treatment of dengue fever.