Work

Harnessing endogenous miRNA targeting ZIKV: A cutting-edge strategy to inhibit virus infection

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Emerging RNA virus outbreaks, including Zika virus, highlight the urgent need for novel antiviral strategies. Zika virus, a positive-strand RNA virus, causes congenital Zika syndrome, and to date, there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments. In this context, microRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and show potential as antiviral agents due to their ability to target viral RNA, making them a promising therapeutic approach against Zika syndrome. In this study, we identified endogenous microRNAs that interact with the virus genome using computational algorithms and overexpressed them in VERO cells. Twelve microRNAs reduced viral cytopathic effects by more than 50% in cells infected with a Brazilian Zika virus strain. Additionally, we used a computational platform to select pharmacological compounds capable of modulating endogenous microRNAs in human cells, achieving over 90% inhibition of Zika virus activity. These findings offer a promising path through drug repurposing for antiviral therapy by modulating endogenous microRNAs, with potential applications for other positive-strand RNA viruses.

Source: Molecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids

DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2025.102562

Authors: Rhubia S.M. Rosa, Soledad Palameta, Jessica M. Toscaro, Michael E. Miller, Paulo S. Lopes-de-Oliveira, Marcio C. Bajgelman

Institutions: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Mosquito-borne diseases and control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,900