text: In May 2010, an application of SNALPs to the Ebola Zaire virus made headlines, as the preparation was able to cure rhesus macaques when administered shortly after their exposure to a lethal dose of the virus, which can be up to 90% lethal to humans in sporadic outbreaks in Africa.  The treatment used for rhesus macaques consisted of three siRNAs (staggered duplexes of RNA) targeting three viral genes. The SNALPs (around 81 nm in size here) were formulated by spontaneous vesiculation from a mixture of cholesterol, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, 3-N-[(ω-methoxy
  poly(ethylene glycol)2000)carbamoyl]-1,2-dimyrestyloxypropylamine, and cationic 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-3-N,N-dimethylaminopropane.
  In addition to the rhesus macaque application, SNALPs have also been proven to protect cavia porcellua from viremia and death when administered shortly after postexposure to ZEBOV. A polymerase (L) gene-specific siRNAs delivery system was imposed upon four genes associated with the viral genomic RNA in the ribonucleoprotein complex found within EBOV particles (three of which match the application above): NP, VP30, VP35, and the L protein. The SNALPs ranged from 71 – 84 nm in size and were composed of synthetic cholesterol, phospholipid DSPC, PEG lipid PEGC-DMA, and cationic lipid DLinDMA at the molar ratio of 48:20:2:30.  The results confirm complete protection against viremia and death in guinea pigs when administered a SNALP-siRNA delivery system after diagnosis of the Ebola virus, thus proving this technology to be an effective treatment. Future studies will focus mainly upon evaluating the effects of siRNA ‘cocktails’ on EBOV genes to increase antiviral effects.