Inhibitory effects of an antisense oligonucleotide in an experimentally infected mouse model of influenza A virus

The antiviral effects of a 20-mer antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide, PB2-as, on influenza A virus infection in mice were examined and compared to those of PB2-as encapsulated with several cationic liposomes. Intravenous injection of PB2-as, as a complex with DMRIE-C, a cationic liposome, was most effective for prolonging the mean survival time in days (MSDs) and increasing the survival rates of mice infected with the influenza A virus. In addition, the liposomal PB2-as significantly inhibited viral growth in lung tissues. These results suggest that PBS-as encapsulated with DMRIE-C may be active against the influenza A virus infection through the inhibition of virus replication in the mouse lung. (C) 2000 Academic Press.