Design of siRNAs Against Immune-Implicated Atherosclerosis Genes: Computational Study

Abstract

1.1 Objective Atherosclerosis is a chronic, immune-implicated, disease with high numbers of mortality globally. The aim of the current study is to target these genes by specific siRNA utilizing bioinformatics tools. 1.2 Methods 8 siRNAs were designed via RNAxs from C1QA and ITBG2 gene sequences retrieved from NCBI database. GC% and Tm of siRNAs were calculated through OligoCalc web interface. In addition, hybridization energy of siRNAs with the corresponding target sequences as well as docking to argonaute 2 protein were performed using DuplexFold and HDock. 1.3 Results The designed siRNAs exhibited acceptable GC content and Tm values. Besides, the hybridization energy and docking scores were highly significant to block the expression of the mentioned genes. 1.4 Conclusion The designed siRNAs are superior candidates for silencing immune-mediated atherosclerotic genes which deserve further consideration.