Design and evaluation of a Multi-Epitope Assembly Peptide (MEAP) against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 infection in BALB/c mice

MedWorm: Genital Herpes Inhibition of HIV transmission in human cervicovaginal explants and humanized mice using CD4 aptamer-siRNA chimeras May 16, 2011 at 1:24 PM The continued spread of the HIV epidemic underscores the need to interrupt transmission. One attractive strategy is a topical vaginal microbicide. Sexual transmission of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in mice can be inhibited by intravaginal siRNA application. To overcome the challenges of knocking down gene expression in immune cells susceptible to HIV infection, we used chimeric RNAs composed of an aptamer fused to an siRNA for targeted gene knockdown in cells bearing an aptamer-binding receptor. Here, we showed that CD4 aptamer-siRNA chimeras (CD4-AsiCs) specifically suppress gene expression in CD4+ T cells and macrophages in vitro, in polarized cervicovaginal tissue explants, and in the female genital tract of humanized mice. CD4-AsiCs do not activate lymphocytes or stimulate inna... MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find out how you can get your message posted here and on over 100,000 other medical web pages in just a couple of days, plus support MedWorm at the same time. Design and evaluation of a Multi-Epitope Assembly Peptide (MEAP) against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 infection in BALB/c mice May 15, 2011 at 6:00 PM Conclusions: The MEAP provided complete protection against infection with HSV-2 in mice, which indicates that it might be a potential candidate vaccine against HSV-2. (Source: Virology Journal)