ENDOGENOUS ANTIVIRAL PROPERTIES OF RED BLOOD CELL-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES AND THEIR AUGMENTATION OF ANTIVIRAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE THERAPY

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the urgent need for effective and accessible antiviral therapies. We explored the intrinsic antiviral activity of red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles (RBCEVs) against SARS-CoV-2 and their use as delivery vehicles for antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). RBCEVs inhibited both pseudotyped and authentic SARS-CoV-2 infections in a dose-dependent manner by blocking viral entry. ASOs targeting conserved viral genes (helicase, 3CLPro, PLpro, RdRp, and TRS), delivered via RBCEVs, significantly suppressed viral replication in vitro and in vivo, improving survival in infected K18-ACE2 mice. Using the IDentif.AI platform, we identified synergistic ASO-loaded RBCEV combinations with enhanced antiviral effects and reduced toxicity. This study presents a promising nanomedicine-based strategy integrating RBCEVs and AI-optimized ASO therapy to combat SARS-CoV-2 and potential future variants.

Author dc:creator

• GAO CHANG

• anti-viral therapy
• oligonucleotide therapy
• RBCEVs
• extracellular vesicles
• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2

Licence

• https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/bitstreams/71398fbf-545f-4cf8-9567-81227782a431/download