Inhibition of Highly Pathogenic Avian H5N1 Influenza Virus Replication by NanoRNA Oligonucleotides

H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) has caused widespread infections in poultry and wild birds, and has the potential to emerge as a pandemic threat to human. Nucleic acid-based drugs are promising classes of therapeutic agents that have important clinical applications for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases.In this review, a breif overview is made in the use of antisense technology in gene suppression. The main focus is on the features of a modified short RNA oligonucleotide (nanoRNAs) and its use in suppression of H5N1 influenza viral replication, including the design, efficacy of nanoRNAs and the evaluation of these agents from in vitro activity to efficacy in animal protection studies.