Novel MicroRNA-Based Therapeutic for Broad-Spectrum Microbial Infections
This invention uses a specific cluster of microRNAs (miRs) to combat a wide range of microbial infections. It functions by delivering these miRs to cells via exosomes, triggering a natural cellular defense mechanism to attenuate viral replication.
Description
The invention is based on the discovery that cultured human placental trophoblast (PHT) cells are highly resistant to viruses and can transfer this resistance to other cells. This viral resistance is conferred through exosomes—small vesicles released by PHT cells that contain a unique, primate-specific microRNA cluster (C19MC). When administered to cells, the C19MC miRs induce autophagy, a process that targets and degrades viruses, thereby attenuating viral replication. The technology can be administered as a naked nucleic acid molecule or be encoded by a recombinant plasmid or viral vector.Applications
- Therapeutics for viral infections such as coxsackievirus, poliovirus, hepatitis C, and herpes simplex viruses.- Treatments for bacterial infections, including those caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Listeria species.
- Treatments for fungal pathogens like Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans.
- Development of broad-spectrum antiviral and antimicrobial drugs.
Advantages
- Inhibits, treats, or prevents a wide range of microbial infections.- Confers viral resistance to non-placental cells via exosome-mediated delivery.
- Utilizes a natural cellular process (autophagy) to attenuate viral replication.
- Effective against a variety of disparate viruses and other microbial pathogens, including bacteria and fungi.
- Can be delivered in various forms, including as a nucleic acid molecule or within a viral vector.