Towards development of novel circular RNA-based antiviral therapies

Currently, there are no antiviral strategies to rapidly respond to novel emerging viruses or to mosquito borne viruses. On this thesis we have developed an innovative artificial circular RNA (circRNA) antiviral platform that targets highly conserved RNA structures within the genomes of positive-stra...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autor: Alonso, Florencia Evelin
Formato: tesis doctoral
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Recursos:CBUC, CESCA
Repositorio:TDR. Tesis Doctorales en Red
OAI Identifier:oai:www.tdx.cat:10803/691417
Acesso em linha:http://hdl.handle.net/10803/691417
Access Level:acceso embargado
Palavra-chave:Antivirals
Positive RNA viruses
Circular RNAs
Emerging viruses
Novel therapeutical strategies
Antivirales
Virus de cadena positiva
ARN circular
Virus emergentes
Nuevas estrategias terapéuticas
578
Descrição
Resumo:Currently, there are no antiviral strategies to rapidly respond to novel emerging viruses or to mosquito borne viruses. On this thesis we have developed an innovative artificial circular RNA (circRNA) antiviral platform that targets highly conserved RNA structures within the genomes of positive-strand RNA viruses. We have generated highly efficient antiviral circRNA molecules tested in cell culture against HCV, DENV, WNV and SARS CoV-2 viruses. Moreover, we demonstrated the anti-SARS CoV-2 activity of circRNAs in infected hamsters. Besides virus-specific circRNAs, we also generated a broad-spectrum circRNA against both WNV and DENV viruses. Remarkably our platform circRNA platform was also effective in addressing genetic diseases associated with aberrant RNA structures, as demonstrated in a cell culture model of the Steinert Syndrome, the most common form of muscular dystrophy. Taking together these findings highlight the versatility and significant therapeutic potential of our circRNA platform, providing a promising avenue for addressing current and future viral threats as well as genetic diseases.