Enhanced antiviral effect in cell culture of type 1 interferon and ribozymes targeting HCV RNA

We have recently shown that the replication of an HCV-poliovirus (PV) chimera that is dependent upon the hepatitis C virus (HCV) 5' untranslated region (UTR) can be inhibited by treatment with ribozymes targeting HCV RNA. To determine the antiviral effects of anti-HCV ribozyme treatment in combination with type 1 interferon (IFN), we analysed the replication of this HCV-PV chimera in HeLa cells treated with anti-HCV ribozyme and/or IFN-α2a, IFN-α2b, or consensus IFN. The anti-HCV ribozyme, or any of the IFNs alone have significant inhibitory effects on HCV-PV replication compared to control treatment (≥ 85%, P  < 0.01). The maximal inhibition due to IFN treatment (94%, P  < 0.01) was achieved with ≥ 50 U/ml for either IFN-α2a or IFN-α2b compared to control treatment. A similar level of inhibition in viral replication could be achieved with a 5-fold lower dose of IFN if ribozyme targeting the HCV 5' UTR was given in combination. For consensus IFN, the dose could be reduced by > 12.5-fold if ribozyme targeting the HCV 5' UTR was given in combination. Conversely, the dose of ribozyme could be reduced 3-fold if given in combination with any of the IFN preparations. Moreover, treatment with low doses (1–25 U/mL) of IFN-α2a, IFN-α2b, or consensus IFN in combination with anti-HCV ribozyme resulted in > 98% inhibition of HCV-PV replication compared to control treatment ( P  < 0.01). These results demonstrate that IFN and ribozyme each have a beneficial antiviral effect that is augmented when given in combination.