Efficient inhibition of foot-and-mouth disease virus replication in vitro by artificial microRNA targeting 3D polymerase

Abstract

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a devastating acute viral disease of livestock with cloven hooves. Among various therapeutic control measures, RNA interference (RNAi) is one of the methods being explored to inhibit FMD virus replication and spread. The RNAi is achieved by short hairpin RNAs or artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs). Utility of amiRNAs as antiviral, targeting conserved regions of the viral genome is gaining importance. However, delivery of miRNA in vivo is still a challenge. In this study, the efficacy of amiRNAs in preventing FMD virus replication in a permissive cell culture system was investigated, by generating stable cell lines expressing amiRNAs targeting three functional regions of the FMD virus (FMDV) genome (IRES, 3B3 and 3D). The results showed that amiRNA targeting 3D polymerase is relatively more efficient. However, expression of multiple microRNAs targeting the three regions did not exhibit additive effect. The data suggest that 3D specific miRNA is a potential valid strategy in developing novel antiviral measures against FMDV infection.