Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease in cats. The disease results from widespread viral replication in affected animals and an inadequate and harmful immune response to the virus. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this disease. Though therapies aimed at improving the immune response to this virus have shown some benefit, there is a need for an additional therapy to specifically inhibit virus growth in order to effect a successful treatment. Recently, ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference has been shown to be useful for treating virus infections. This antiviral mechanism results from the introduction of double stranded RNA into cells that specifically target the virus and thus lead to its destruction. This strategy has been used successfully in experimental models to treat Severe Acute Respiratory Disease (SARS), a virus that produces a disease similar to FIP in humans. In addition, this strategy has been shown to be effective against a feline virus, feline herpes virus.
This investigation examined the usefulness of small pieces of RNA (small interfering RNA, siRNA) to inhibit feline coronavirus replication. It is hoped that in combination with immunomodulation, this could prove to be an effective treatment for FIP. The small pieces of RNA actually target the viral genetic material for destruction, leading to decreased virus replication in infected cells. The investigators found that certain combinations of RNA particles offered the best inhibition of virus replication, with reductions of greater than 90% of virus growth in cell culture. The results showed that the siRNA combinations markedly inhibited coronavirus genomic RNA, coronavirus protein, and coronavirus replication in vitro, suggesting a potential therapeutic application of RNA interference in treating FIP. [MK]
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
This investigation examined the usefulness of small pieces of RNA (small interfering RNA, siRNA) to inhibit feline coronavirus replication. It is hoped that in combination with immunomodulation, this could prove to be an effective treatment for FIP. The small pieces of RNA actually target the viral genetic material for destruction, leading to decreased virus replication in infected cells. The investigators found that certain combinations of RNA particles offered the best inhibition of virus replication, with reductions of greater than 90% of virus growth in cell culture. The results showed that the siRNA combinations markedly inhibited coronavirus genomic RNA, coronavirus protein, and coronavirus replication in vitro, suggesting a potential therapeutic application of RNA interference in treating FIP. [MK]