A new study provides an important proof-of-concept that viral replication can be substantially reduced for several weeks by a single injection of a tissue-targeted cellular microRNA antagonist, inhibiting a key component in a viral lifecycle. This result paves the way to the development of novel potent host-targeted antiviral approaches based on microRNA antagonism.
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J.-M.P. has received research grants from Abbvie and Gilead. He has served as an adviser and speaker for Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead, Janssen and Merck.
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Pawlotsky, JM. MicroRNA antagonists: promising antiviral agents against HCV and other viruses?. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 14, 264–266 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2017.28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2017.28