Inhibition of hepatitis B virus gene expression and replication by artificial microRNA

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and expression by transfecting artificial microRNA (amiRNA) into HepG2.2.15 cells.METHODS: Three amiRNA-HBV plasmids were constructed and transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells.HBV antigen secretion was detected in the cells with transient and stable transfection by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays (TRFIA). HBV DNA replication was examined by fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the level of HBV S mRNA was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.RESULTS: The efficiency of transient transfection of the vectors into 2.2.15 cells was 55%-60%. All the vectors had significant inhibition effects on HBsAg and HBeAg at 72 h and 96 h after transfection (P< 0.01 for all). The secretion of HBsAg and HBeAginto the supernatant was in hibited by 49.8% 4.7%and 39.9% ± 6.7%, respectively, at 72 h in amiRNA-HBV-S608 plasmid transfection group. The copy of HBVDNA within culture supernatant was also significantlydecreased at 72 h and 96 h after transfection (P <0.01 for all). In the cells with stable transfection, the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg into the supernatant was significantly inhibited in all three transfection groups (P < 0.01 for all, vs negative control). The copies of HBV DNA were inhibited by 33.4% ± 3.0%,60.8% ± 2.3% and 70.1% ± 3.3%, respectively.CONCLUSION: In HepG2.2.15 cells, HBV replication and expression could be inhibited by artificial microRNA targeting the HBV S coding region. Vector-based artificial microRNA could be a promising therapeutic approach for chronic HBV infection.