Downregulation of hepatitis C virus replication by miR?196a using lentiviral vectors

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA that causes chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cellular microRNAs (miRNAs) directly modulate the viral infectivity indirectly through targeting virus-related host factors. They play an essential role in progression of different stages HCV infection. The roles miR-196 family infection carcinoma remain poorly understood. Using ViTa databases, miR-196a as high-score miRNA NS5A region genome was selected. dual luciferase assay established cell-cultured (HCVcc) system, effect on assessed. In silico analysis demonstrated significant downregulation replication. assay, liver-specific gene binding confirmed. To assess experimental miR-196a, HCVcc system Huh 7.5 cell lines. HCV-RNA 1b derived from infected patient transfected into cells containing lentiviral vectors (Huh 7.5/miR-196a), mocks 7.5/mock vector), naïve cells. rate reduction replication assessed using relative real-time PCR assay. These results represent overexpression its regulating However, may inhibit accelerate early apoptosis. Overexpression replicon potential new strategy to prevent this study suggest downregulates serve antiviral therapy.