Constructing RNA viruses for long-term transcriptional gene silencing

Abstract

Recent discoveries have shown that self-replicating RNA viruses can produce small RNAs (sRNAs) in host cells. Given their potential to be modified to generate short-term transgene expression without integrating viral sequences into the host genome, these viruses could be used as safe delivery vehicles for sRNAs to induce long-term transcriptional gene silencing (TGS). This might open new avenues for therapeutic approaches, where a single administration would safely induce long-term therapeutic effects for various diseases. Here, we introduce and discuss the possible use of cytoplasmic alphaviruses, flaviviruses, Sendai virus (SeV), and nucleoplasmic Influenza A (IAV) and Borna disease (BoDV) viruses to induce long-term TGS.