<i>In vitro</i> antiviral activity of a double-stranded RNA sodium salt-based medicinal product against SARS-CoV-2

Scientific relevance. Innate immune activation in the early phases of COVID-19 infection and subsequent interferon induction may help control viral replication and protect cells not yet infected with SARS-CoV-2. Thus, immunostimulants that induce interferon (IFN), including double-stranded RNA-based...

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Main Authors: G. M. Ignatyev, E. Yu. Shustova, E. A. Rogozhina, P. A. Belyi, K. Ya. Zaslavskaya, V. A. Merkulov
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Federal State Budgetary Institution «Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products» 2023-10-01
Series:Биопрепараты: Профилактика, диагностика, лечение
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Online Access:https://www.biopreparations.ru/jour/article/view/453
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Summary:Scientific relevance. Innate immune activation in the early phases of COVID-19 infection and subsequent interferon induction may help control viral replication and protect cells not yet infected with SARS-CoV-2. Thus, immunostimulants that induce interferon (IFN), including double-stranded RNA-based agents, are a promising means of post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 at early stages.Aim. The study evaluated the in vitro antiviral activity of a double-stranded RNA sodium salt-based medicinal product against SARS-CoV-2.Materials and methods. The authors analysed the double-stranded RNA sodium salt-based medicinal product RADAMIN®VIRO using Vero cells and the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617). The virus titre was calculated as the tissue cytopathic dose that caused 50% cell death. The authors measured the content of IFN-α and IFN-γ in the culture fluid by enzyme immunoassay and assessed the viral load by real-time polymerase chain reaction (using the cycle threshold value) and by titration (using Vero cells).Results. The studied double-stranded RNA sodium salt-based medicinal product at a concentration of 250 or 500 μg/mL induced IFN-α and IFN-γ expression by Vero cells, thus increasing their resistance to SARS-CoV-2. The authors evaluated the antiviral activity of the medicinal product based on the virus titre, viral load, and cell monolayer damage. The antiviral activity became clear 24 h after treatment, which confirmed the ability of the medicinal product to inhibit the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro as early as the first day after infection.Conclusions. The double-stranded RNA sodium salt-based medicinal product induced IFN-α and IFN-γ synthesis in Vero cells, increasing their resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. These results demonstrate the immunomodulatory and antiviral potential of the medicinal product.
ISSN:2221-996X
2619-1156