Dual siRNA expression system targeting HIV and HBV supression

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is a real and emerging condition, with an approximated 10% of the HIV infected population also carrying HBV. This co-infection causes very complex interactions, amplifying the effects of both HIV and HBV and greatly increasing the mortality rate compared to either individual viral infection. Although treatments do exist, there is no cure at this time.

Wu et al have observed the limited treatments towards HIV-HBV co-infection and have used RNA interference (RNAi) in attempts to produce novel therapies. Wu et al have developed a dual RNAi expression system to target two key features of HIV and HBV propagation: the gp120 gene and HBs gene respectively. Using this dual expression system, Wu et al observed simultaneous inhibition of gp120 and HBs expression, as well as decreased HIV and HBV replication. This study has provided novel insights into the simultaneous study of multiple genes, as well as providing a potential treatment for HIV-HBV co-infection.

Ref:
WU, K., MU, Y., HU, J., LU, L., ZHANG, X., YANG, Y., LI, Y., LIU, F., SONG, D., ZHU, Y. & WU, J. (2007) Simultaneously inhibition of HIV and HBV replication through a dual small interfering RNA expression system. Antiviral Research, 74, 142-149.

-Dominic Bruzzone-