Combining RNA Interference and RIG-I Activation to Inhibit Hepatitis E Virus Replication

• Published in: Viruses 2024-08, Vol.16 (9), p.1378
• Main Authors: Ziersch, Mathias, Harms, Dominik, Neumair, Lena, Kurreck, Anke, Johne, Reimar, Bock, C-Thomas, Kurreck, Jens
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A549 Cells; Adaptive immunity; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Care and treatment; Cell culture; Chronic infection; DEAD Box Protein 58 - genetics; DEAD Box Protein 58 - metabolism; DNA helicase; Genetic aspects; Genomes; Genotype & phenotype; Health aspects; Hepatitis; Hepatitis E; Hepatitis E - immunology; Hepatitis E - virology; Hepatitis E virus - genetics; Hepatitis E virus - physiology; HEV; Humans; Immune response; Immunotherapy; Infections; Liver diseases; Methods; Mutation; Patients; Pattern recognition receptors; Public health; Receptors, Immunologic; Replication; RIG-I; RNA 5′triphosphate; RNA Interference; RNA modification; RNA polymerase; RNA viruses; RNA, Small Interfering - genetics; RNA, Viral - genetics; RNA, Viral - metabolism; RNA-mediated interference; RNAi therapy; Signal Transduction; siRNA; Therapeutic applications; Transplants & implants; Viral Proteins - genetics; Viral Proteins - metabolism; Virus Replication; Viruses
• ISSN: 1999-4915; 1999-4915
• DOI: 10.3390/v16091378

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a significant global health threat, with an estimated 20 million infections occurring annually. Despite being a self-limiting illness, in most cases, HEV infection can lead to severe outcomes, particularly in pregnant women and individuals with pre-existing liver disease. In the absence of specific antiviral treatments, the exploration of RNAi interference (RNAi) as a targeted strategy provides valuable insights for urgently needed therapeutic interventions against Hepatitis E. We designed small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against HEV, which target the helicase domain and the open reading frame 3 (ORF3). These target regions will reduce the risk of viral escape through mutations, as they belong to the most conserved regions in the HEV genome. The siRNAs targeting the ORF3 efficiently inhibited viral replication in A549 cells after HEV infection. Importantly, the siRNA was also highly effective at inhibiting HEV in the persistently infected A549 cell line, which provides a suitable model for chronic infection in patients. Furthermore, we showed that a 5' triphosphate modification on the siRNA sense strand activates the RIG-I receptor, a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor that recognizes viral RNA. Upon activation, RIG-I triggers a signaling cascade, effectively suppressing HEV replication. This dual-action strategy, combining the activation of the adaptive immune response and the inherent RNAi pathway, inhibits HEV replication successfully and may lead to the development of new therapies.