siRNA transfection by Chitosan polysaccharide nanoparticle to inhibit influenza virus inhibition

Anti inlfluenza chemical drugs affecting virus life cyclehave always been applied for inhibition of the virus and consequently drugresistance is resulted. Interfering RNAhas been studied recently to overcome this problem. RNAi areoligonucleotide sequences which are being applied for different objectives suchas prevention of disease progression by inactivation of gene of interest e.g. cancerand viral genes. RNAi can specifically inhibit the function of inappropriategenes without any interfering in other genes. In this study, siRNA againstenhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and influenza virus nucleoprotein(NP) gene was used. Chitosan, a natural and non-toxic polysaccharide, was usedas a vector to present siRNA effectively. Labled siRNA was combined withchitosan nanoparticles and transfection of this compound into the cells wasevaluated with immunofluorecent technique. In order to evaluate the inhibitoryeffect of this combination on protein expression, eGFP was transfected intocells.  Chitosans loaded with anti eGFP –siRNAand siRNA against NP were transfected to the cells.  The inhibitory effect of siRNA on eGFPexpression was assessed using  IF andflowcytometry. The viral replication inhibition was determined byhemagglutination assay.  Our resultrevealed that transfection of siRNA in chitosan vector effectively inhibitedthe eGFP expression and the influenza virus repalication.