Improving siRNA design targeting nucleoprotein gene as antiviral against the Indonesian H5N1 virus

BACKGROUND: Small interfering RNA technology has been considered a prospective alternative antiviral treatment using gene silencing against influenza viruses with high mutations rates. On the other hand, there are no reports on its effectiveness against the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus isolated from Indonesia. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to improve the siRNA design based on the nucleoprotein gene (siRNA-NP) for the Indonesian H5N1 virus. METHODS: The effectiveness of these siRNA-NPs (NP672, NP1433, and NP1469) was analyzed in vitro in Marbin-Darby canine kidney cells. RESULTS: The siRNA-NP672 caused the largest decrease in viral production and gene expression at 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection compared to the other siRNA-NPs. Moreover, three serial passages of the H5N1 virus in the presence of siRNA-NP672 did not induce any mutations within the nucleoprotein gene. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that siRNA-NP672 can provide better protection against the Indonesian strain of the H5N1 virus.