19 research outputs found
Inhibition of Monkeypox virus replication by RNA interference
The Orthopoxvirus genus of Poxviridae family is comprised of several human pathogens, including cowpox (CPXV), Vaccinia (VACV), monkeypox (MPV) and Variola (VARV) viruses. Species of this virus genus cause human diseases with various severities and outcome ranging from mild conditions to death in fulminating cases. Currently, vaccination is the only protective measure against infection with these viruses and no licensed antiviral drug therapy is available. In this study, we investigated the potential of RNA interference pathway (RNAi) as a therapeutic approach for orthopox virus infections using MPV as a model. Based on genome-wide expression studies and bioinformatic analysis, we selected 12 viral genes and targeted them by small interference RNA (siRNA). Forty-eight siRNA constructs were developed and evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit viral replication. Two genes, each targeted with four different siRNA constructs in one pool, were limiting to viral replication. Seven siRNA constructs from these two pools, targeting either an essential gene for viral replication (A6R) or an important gene in viral entry (E8L), inhibited viral replication in cell culture by 65-95% with no apparent cytotoxicity. Further analysis with wild-type and recombinant MPV expressing green fluorescence protein demonstrated that one of these constructs, siA6-a, was the most potent and inhibited viral replication for up to 7 days at a concentration of 10 nM. These results emphasis the essential role of A6R gene in viral replication, and demonstrate the potential of RNAi as a therapeutic approach for developing oligonucleotide-based drug therapy for MPV and other orthopox viruses
Development and validation of a weather-based model for predicting infection of loquat fruit by Fusicladium eriobotryae
A mechanistic, dynamic model was developed to predict infection of loquat fruit by conidia of Fusicladium eriobotryae, the
causal agent of loquat scab. The model simulates scab infection periods and their severity through the sub-processes of
spore dispersal, infection, and latency (i.e., the state variables); change from one state to the following one depends on
environmental conditions and on processes described by mathematical equations. Equations were developed using
published data on F. eriobotryae mycelium growth, conidial germination, infection, and conidial dispersion pattern. The
model was then validated by comparing model output with three independent data sets. The model accurately predicts the
occurrence and severity of infection periods as well as the progress of loquat scab incidence on fruit (with concordance
correlation coefficients .0.95). Model output agreed with expert assessment of the disease severity in seven loquatgrowing
seasons. Use of the model for scheduling fungicide applications in loquat orchards may help optimise scab
management and reduce fungicide applications.This work was funded by Cooperativa Agricola de Callosa d'En Sarria (Alicante, Spain). Three months' stay of E. Gonzalez-Dominguez at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Piacenza, Italy) was supported by the Programa de Apoyo a la Investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID-00-12) de la Universidad Politecnica de Valencia. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.González DomĂnguez, E.; Armengol FortĂ, J.; Rossi, V. (2014). Development and validation of a weather-based model for predicting infection of loquat fruit by Fusicladium eriobotryae. PLoS ONE. 9(9):1-12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0107547S11299Sánchez-Torres, P., Hinarejos, R., & Tuset, J. J. (2009). Characterization and Pathogenicity ofFusicladium eriobotryae, the Fungal Pathogen Responsible for Loquat Scab. 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