Suppression of Human Coronavirus 229E Infection in Lung Fibroblast Cells via RNA Interference

Despite extensive efforts to repurpose approved drugs, discover new small molecules, and develop vaccines, COVID-19 pandemic is still claiming victims around the world. The current arsenal of antiviral compounds did not perform well in past viral infections (e.g., SARS), which casts a shadow doubt for use against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines should offer ultimate protection; however, there limited information about longevity generated immunity protection possible mutations. This study uses Human Coronavirus 229E as model coronavirus test hypothesis that effective delivery virus-specific siRNAs infected cells will result lower load reduced cell death. Two different categories nucleic acid systems, Peptide/Lipid-Associated Nucleic Acids (PLANAs) lipophilic polymers, were investigated their toxicity human lung fibroblast ability deliver specific targeting Spike Envelope proteins order prevent death cells. Selected effectively delivered with negligible toxicity. Cell due infection was significantly individual combinatorial silencing selected proteins. restored viability completely eliminated plaques system. Our culture data indicate promising results RNAi based approach an alternative treatment.