MiR-375-mediated suppression of engineered coxsackievirus B3 in pancreatic cells

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) has potential as a new oncolytic agent for the treatment of cancer but can induce severe pancreatitis. Here, we inserted target sequences of the microRNA miR-375 (miR-375TS) into the 5' terminus of the polyprotein encoding sequence or into the 3'UTR of the CVB3 strain rCVB3.1 to prevent viral replication in the pancreas. In pancreatic EndoC-βH1 cells expressing miR-375 endogenously, replication of the 5'-miR-375TS virus and that of the 3'-miR-375TS virus was reduced by 4 × 10³ -fold and 3.9 × 10⁴ -fold, respectively, compared to the parental rCVB3.1. In colorectal carcinoma cells, replication and cytotoxicity of both viruses were slightly reduced compared to rCVB3.1, but less pronounced for the 3'-miR-375TS virus. Thus, CVB3 with miR-375TS in the 3'UTR of the viral genome may be suitable to avoid pancreatic toxicity.