Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy
Published on: September 5, 2016
RNA interference-based gene expression strategies aimed at sustained therapeutic inhibition of HIV
Samantha Barichievy1, Sheena Saayman, Patrick Arbuthnot
1Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Abstract:
The naturally-occurring RNA interference (RNAi) pathway represents a powerful tool for the sequence-specific post-transcriptional silencing of gene expression. By exploiting the endogenous mammalian RNAi pathway, several expression-based strategies have been developed to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gene expression and replication. This approach potentially has utility as a protective 'therapeutic vaccine' of virus-susceptible lymphocytes. In this review we discuss new developments aimed at improving efficacy and delivery of novel RNAi-based gene expression antiviral strategies. Particular attention is given to advances in combinatorial gene expression systems that prevent the emergence of RNAi-resistant virus by simultaneously targeting multiple HIV targets. Potential usefulness of silencing host factors that are required for viral replication is also discussed. These approaches form the basis for a number of promising ongoing and future clinical trials aimed at providing an effective, safe and prolonged single-intervention therapy for HIV/AIDS.
Related Concept Videos
Experimental RNAi
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors

