In-Vitro Evaluation of miR-101-5P Effect on Herpes Simplex Virus Replication

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is known worldwide for its serious disease and a kind of infection that involves nervous system throughout human lifelong. HSV-1 infection is much more considerable in immunocompromised patients and due to the growing resistance to its main drug, acyclovir, alternative treatments are required. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate host and viral gene expression, post-transcriptionally. One previous study has shown that mir-101-3p expression may play role in HSV-1-infected cells. In this study, synthesized mimic hsa-miR-101-5p was transfected to HSV-1-infected Hela cells to observe its effect on HSV-1 replication via microscopic observation. Findings: Hela cells transfected by hsa-miR-101-5p produced less viral progeny, and expressed less cytopathic effects. Considering the effect of hsa-miR-101 in suppressing HSV-1 replication without affecting cell viability, this achievement can give us new insights in treatment of HSV-1 infection.