An RNA-hydrolyzing recombinant antibody exhibits an antiviral activity against classical swine fever virus

Some proteins with ribonuclease (RNase) activity have been shown to suppress viral replication. A well-characterized recombinant antibody, 3D8 single-chain variable fragment (3D8 scFv), has RNA-hydrolyzing and cell-penetrating activities. Here, we investigated antiviral activity of 3D8 scFv against classical swine fever virus (CSFV). In a cell line expressing 3D8 scFv (C26), intracellular RNA-hydrolysis activity was higher compared to control PK-15 cells and viral replication was strongly suppressed at the viral RNA level, with the evidence of independency of IFN-α/β induction. Exogenous treatment of 3D8 scFv, prior to or post-CSFV infection, was also shown to suppress CSFV replication at the viral RNA level. These observations suggest that antiviral activity of 3D8 scFv may be due to the intrinsic RNase activity of 3D8 scFv, which is capable of targeting viral RNA genomes or transcripts.