Antiviral activity obtained from aqueous extracts of the Chilean soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria Molina)

Natural, aqueous extracts of Quillaja saponaria, the Chilean soapbark tree, contain several physiologically active triterpenoid saponins that display strong adjuvant activity when used in either human or animal vaccines. In this paper, we describe studies that demonstrate a novel antiviral activity of Quillaja extracts against six viruses: vaccinia virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, varicella zoster virus, human immunodeficiency viruses 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2) and reovirus. We demonstrate that microgram amounts of extract, while exhibiting no cell cytotoxicity or direct virucidal activity, prevent each of the six viruses tested from infecting their host cells. In addition, the presence of residual amounts of extract continue to block virus infection and render cells resistant to infection for at least 16 h after the removal of the extract from the cell culture medium. We demonstrate that a Quillaja extract possesses strong antiviral activity at concentrations more than 100-fold lower than concentrations that exhibit cell cytotoxicity. Extract concentrations as high as 100 μg ml−1 are not cytotoxic, but concentrations as low as 0.1 μg ml−1 are able to block HIV-1 and HIV-2 virus attachment and infection.

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Flavonol 7-O-Glucoside Herbacitrin Inhibits HIV-1 Replication through Simultaneous Integrase and Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/1064793 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Éva Áy ◽

Attila Hunyadi ◽

Mária Mezei ◽

János Minárovits ◽

Judit Hohmann

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Reverse Transcriptase ◽

Cell Cultures ◽

Core Protein ◽

Integrase Inhibitor ◽

Host Cells ◽

Cytotoxic Activities ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Antiretroviral Activity

Here we report the evaluation of the antiretroviral effect of two flavonoid 7-O-glucosides, herbacitrin (1) and gossypitrin (2), together with quercetin (3), a well-studied flavonol. Antiviral activity of the flavonoids was assessed by analyzing HIV-1 p24 core protein levels in the supernatants of HIV-1 infected MT-4 and MT-2 cell cultures. The compounds showed mild to weak cytotoxic activities on the host cells; herbacitrin was the strongest in this regard (CC50=27.8 and 63.64 μM on MT-4 and MT-2 cells, respectively). In nontoxic concentrations, herbacitrin and quercetin reduced HIV-1 replication, whereas gossypitrin was ineffective. Herbacitrin was found to inhibit reverse transcriptase at 21.5 μM, while it was a more potent integrase inhibitor already active at 2.15 μM. Therefore, our observations suggest that herbacitrin exerts antiretroviral activity through simultaneously acting on these two targets of HIV-1 and that integrase inhibition might play a major role in this activity.

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APOBEC3B potently restricts HIV-2 but not HIV-1 in a Vif-dependent manner

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01170-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Susana Bandarra ◽

Eri Miyagi ◽

Ana Clara Ribeiro ◽

João Gonçalves ◽

Klaus Strebel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Functional Adaptation ◽

Host Cells ◽

Cancer Therapies ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Induced Mutations ◽

Cytidine Deaminases ◽

Protein Functions ◽

Human Viruses ◽

Hiv 1

Vif is a lentiviral accessory protein that counteracts the antiviral activity of cellular APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases in infected cells. The exact contribution of each member of the A3 family for the restriction of HIV-2 is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this work was to identify the A3s with anti-HIV-2 activity and compare their restriction potential for HIV-2 and HIV-1. We found that A3G is a strong restriction factor of both types of viruses and A3C restricts neither HIV-1 nor HIV-2. Importantly, A3B exhibited potent antiviral activity against HIV-2 but its effect was negligible against HIV-1. Whereas A3B is packaged with similar efficiency into both viruses in the absence of Vif, HIV-2 and HIV-1 differ in their sensitivity to A3B. HIV-2 Vif targets A3B by reducing its cellular levels and inhibiting its packaging into virions whereas HIV-1 Vif did not evolve to antagonize A3B. Our observations support the hypothesis that during wild-type HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections, both viruses are able to replicate in host cells expressing A3B but using different mechanisms, probably resulting from a Vif functional adaptation over evolutionary time. Our findings provide new insights into the differences between Vif protein and their cellular partner’s in the two human viruses. Of note, A3B is highly expressed in some cancer cells and may cause deamination-induced mutations in these cancers. Thus, A3B may represent an important therapeutic target. As such, the ability of HIV-2 Vif to induce A3B degradation could be an effective tool for cancer therapy. IMPORTANCE Primate lentiviruses encode a series of accessory genes that facilitate virus adaptation to its host. Among those, the vif -encoded protein functions primarily by targeting the APOBEC3 (A3) family of cytidine deaminases. All lentiviral Vif proteins have the ability to antagonize A3G; however, antagonizing other members of the A3 family is variable. Here we report that HIV-2 Vif, unlike HIV-1 Vif, can induce degradation of A3B. Consequently, HIV-2 Vif but not HIV-1 Vif can inhibit the packaging of A3B. Interestingly, while A3B is packaged efficiently into the core of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 virions in the absence of Vif, it only affects the infectivity of HIV-2 particles. Thus, HIV-1 and HIV-2 have evolved two distinct mechanisms to antagonize the antiviral activity of A3B. Aside from its antiviral activity, A3B has been associated with mutations in some cancers. Degradation of A3B by HIV-2 Vif may be useful for cancer therapies.

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In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Clove and Ginger Aqueous Extracts against Feline Calicivirus, a Surrogate for Human Norovirus

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-593 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 79 (6) ◽

pp. 1001-1012 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

HAMADA A. ABOUBAKR ◽

ANDREW NAUERTZ ◽

NHUNGOC T. LUONG ◽

SHIVANI AGRAWAL ◽

SOBHY A. A. EL-SOHAIMY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Antiviral Effect ◽

Host Cells ◽

Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽

Feline Calicivirus ◽

Aqueous Extracts ◽

Human Norovirus ◽

Viral Contamination ◽

Fresh Vegetables ◽

Clove Extract

ABSTRACT Foodborne viruses, particularly human norovirus, are a concern for public health, especially in fresh vegetables and other minimally processed foods that may not undergo sufficient decontamination. It is necessary to explore novel nonthermal techniques for preventing foodborne viral contamination. In this study, aqueous extracts of six raw food materials (flower buds of clove, fenugreek seeds, garlic and onion bulbs, ginger rhizomes, and jalapeño peppers) were tested for antiviral activity against feline calicivirus (FCV) as a surrogate for human norovirus. The antiviral assay was performed using dilutions of the extracts below the maximum nontoxic concentrations of the extracts to the host cells of FCV, Crandell-Reese feline kidney (CRFK) cells. No antiviral effect was seen when the host cells were pretreated with any of the extracts. However, pretreatment of FCV with nondiluted clove and ginger extracts inactivated 6.0 and 2.7 log of the initial titer of the virus, respectively. Also, significant dose-dependent inactivation of FCV was seen when host cells were treated with clove and ginger extracts at the time of infection or postinfection at concentrations equal to or lower than the maximum nontoxic concentrations. By comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, eugenol (29.5%) and R-(-)-1,2-propanediol (10.7%) were identified as the major components of clove and ginger extracts, respectively. The antiviral effect of the pure eugenol itself was tested; it showed antiviral activity similar to that of clove extract, albeit at a lower level, which indicates that some other clove extract constituents, along with eugenol, are responsible for inactivation of FCV. These results showed that the aqueous extracts of clove and ginger hold promise for prevention of foodborne viral contamination.

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(Z)- and (E)-2-(Hydroxymethylcyclopropylidene)-Methylpurines and Pyrimidines as Antiviral Agents

Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1177/095632029800900406 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 57-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Y-L Qiu ◽

RG Ptak ◽

JM Breitenbach ◽

J-S Lin ◽

Y-C Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Antiviral Agents ◽

Human Herpesvirus ◽

Murine Cytomegalovirus ◽

Strong Inhibitor ◽

Varicella Zoster ◽

Daudi Cells ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Hsv 1

Several Z- and E-methylenecyclopropane nucleoside analogues were synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity. Reaction of the Z- and E-2-amino-6-chloropurine methylenecyclopropanes with ammonia or cyclopropylamine gave 2,6-diamino or 2-amino-6-cyclopropylamino analogues. Alkylation elimination of N4-acetylcytosine with ethyl Z- and E-2-bromo-2-bromomethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylates gave a mixture of the Z-and E-methylenecyclopropane derivatives of cytosine. Reduction furnished a mixture of syncytol and the E isomer. Benzoylation led to the respective N4-benzoyl derivatives which were separated by chromatography. Debenzoylation afforded pure syncytol and the E isomer. Alkylation of 2,4-bis-O-trimethylsilylthymine with ethyl Z- and E-2-bromo-2-bromomethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylates gave the corresponding Z- and E-1-bromo-cyclopropylmethylderivatives of thymine. Base-catalysed elimination of HBr gave Z- and E-methylenecyclopropane carboxylic esters. Reduction furnished, after chromatographic separation, synthymol and the E isomer. The Z/E isomeric assignment of the obtained products followed from 1H NMR spectroscopy. The methylenecyclopropane analogues were tested for antiviral activity in vitro against human and murine cytomegalovirus (HCMV, MCMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The Z-2-amino-6-cyclopropylaminopurine analogue was the most effective agent against HCMV (EC50 or EC90 0.4–2 μM) followed by syncytol and the Z-2,6-diaminopurine analogues (EC50 or EC90 3.4–29 and 11–24 μM, respectively). The latter compound was also a strong inhibitor of MCMV (EC50 0.6 μM). Syncytol was the most potent against EBV (EC50 <0.41 and 2.5 μM) followed by the Z-2,6-diaminopurine (EC50 1.5 and 6.9 μM) and the Z-2-amino-6-cyclopropylaminopurine derivative (EC50 11.8 μM). Syncytol was also most effective against VZV (EC50 3.6 μM). Activity against HSV-1, HSV-2 and HHV-6 was generally lower; synthymol had an EC50 of 2 μM against HSV-1 (ELISA) and 1.3 μM against EBV in Daudi cells but was inactive in other assays. The 2-amino-6-cyclopropylamino analogue displayed EC50 values between 215 and >74 μM in HSV-1 and HSV-2 assays. 2-Amino-6-cyclopropylaminopurine and 2,6-diaminopurine derivatives were effective against HBV (EC50 2 and 10 μM, respectively), whereas none of the analogues inhibited HIV-1 at a higher virus load. Syncytol and the E isomer were equipotent against EBV in Daudi cells but the E isomer was much less effective in DNA hybridization assays. The E-2,6-diaminopurine analogue and E isomer of synthymol were devoid of antiviral activity.

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A New Monoclonal Antibody, mAb 4A12, Identifies a Role for the Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) Binding Domain of RANTES in the Antiviral Effect against HIV-1 and Intracellular Ca2+ Signaling

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.188.10.1917 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 188 (10) ◽

pp. 1917-1927 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Jennifer M. Burns ◽

Robert C. Gallo ◽

Anthony L. DeVico ◽

George K. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Antiviral Activity ◽

Transmembrane Domain ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Binding Domain ◽

Host Cells ◽

Cell Surfaces ◽

Susceptible Host ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Helical Region

The β-chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) suppresses the infection of susceptible host cells by macrophage tropic strains of HIV-1. This effect is attributed to interactions of this chemokine with a 7-transmembrane domain receptor, CCR5, that is required for virus–cell fusion and entry. Here we identify domains of RANTES that contribute to its biological activities through structure–function studies using a new monoclonal antibody, mAb 4A12, isolated from mice immunized with recombinant human RANTES. This monoclonal antibody (mAb) blocked the antiviral activity of RANTES in infectivity assays with HIV-1Bal, and inhibited the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ elicited by RANTES, yet recognized this chemokine bound to cell surfaces. Epitope mapping using limited proteolysis, reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry suggest that residues 55–66 of RANTES, which include the COOH-terminal α-helical region implicated as the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding domain, overlap the determinant recognized by mAb 4A12. This is supported by affinity chromatography studies, which showed that RANTES could be eluted specifically by heparin from a mAb 4A12 immunoaffinity matrix. Removal of cell surface GAGs by enzymatic digestion greatly reduced the ability of mAb 4A12 to detect RANTES passively bound on cell surfaces and abrogated the ability of RANTES to elicit an intracellular Ca2+ signal. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that the COOH-terminal α-helical region of RANTES plays a key role in GAG-binding, antiviral activity, and intracellular Ca2+ signaling and support a model in which GAGs play a key role in the biological activities of this chemokine.

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Galectin-1 Acts as a Soluble Host Factor That Promotes HIV-1 Infectivity through Stabilization of Virus Attachment to Host Cells

The Journal of Immunology ◽

10.4049/jimmunol.174.7.4120 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 174 (7) ◽

pp. 4120-4126 ◽

Cited By ~ 116

Author(s):

Michel Ouellet ◽

Simon Mercier ◽

Isabelle Pelletier ◽

Salim Bounou ◽

Jocelyn Roy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Factor ◽

Host Cells ◽

Virus Attachment ◽

Hiv 1

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SUMOylation of SAMHD1 at Lysine 595 is required for HIV-1 restriction in non-cycling cells

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24802-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Charlotte Martinat ◽

Arthur Cormier ◽

Joëlle Tobaly-Tapiero ◽

Noé Palmic ◽

Nicoletta Casartelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Reverse Transcription ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Viral Restriction ◽

Antiviral Function ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Constitutively Active

AbstractSAMHD1 is a cellular triphosphohydrolase (dNTPase) proposed to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcription in non-cycling immune cells by limiting the supply of the dNTP substrates. Yet, phosphorylation of T592 downregulates SAMHD1 antiviral activity, but not its dNTPase function, implying that additional mechanisms contribute to viral restriction. Here, we show that SAMHD1 is SUMOylated on residue K595, a modification that relies on the presence of a proximal SUMO-interacting motif (SIM). Loss of K595 SUMOylation suppresses the restriction activity of SAMHD1, even in the context of the constitutively active phospho-ablative T592A mutant but has no impact on dNTP depletion. Conversely, the artificial fusion of SUMO2 to a non-SUMOylatable inactive SAMHD1 variant restores its antiviral function, a phenotype that is reversed by the phosphomimetic T592E mutation. Collectively, our observations clearly establish that lack of T592 phosphorylation cannot fully account for the restriction activity of SAMHD1. We find that SUMOylation of K595 is required to stimulate a dNTPase-independent antiviral activity in non-cycling immune cells, an effect that is antagonized by cyclin/CDK-dependent phosphorylation of T592 in cycling cells.

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Design, Synthesis, and antiviral activity of a series of CD4-mimetic small-molecule HIV-1 entry inhibitors

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116000 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 116000

Author(s):

Francesca Curreli ◽

Shahad Ahmed ◽

Sofia M. Benedict Victor ◽

Ildar R. Iusupov ◽

Evgeny A. Spiridonov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Small Molecule ◽

Design Synthesis ◽

Entry Inhibitors ◽

Hiv 1

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Evolutionary Genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1: “The Tortoise and the Hare”

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9010147 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 147

Author(s):

Ana Santos-Pereira ◽

Carlos Magalhães ◽

Pedro M. M. Araújo ◽

Nuno S. Osório

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Drug Resistance ◽

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Evolutionary Dynamics ◽

Evolutionary Genetics ◽

Host Cells ◽

Whole Genome Sequencing Data ◽

Host Immune System ◽

Viral Mutant ◽

Hiv 1

The already enormous burden caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) alone is aggravated by co-infection. Despite obvious differences in the rate of evolution comparing these two human pathogens, genetic diversity plays an important role in the success of both. The extreme evolutionary dynamics of HIV-1 is in the basis of a robust capacity to evade immune responses, to generate drug-resistance and to diversify the population-level reservoir of M group viral subtypes. Compared to HIV-1 and other retroviruses, M. tuberculosis generates minute levels of genetic diversity within the host. However, emerging whole-genome sequencing data show that the M. tuberculosis complex contains at least nine human-adapted phylogenetic lineages. This level of genetic diversity results in differences in M. tuberculosis interactions with the host immune system, virulence and drug resistance propensity. In co-infected individuals, HIV-1 and M. tuberculosis are likely to co-colonize host cells. However, the evolutionary impact of the interaction between the host, the slowly evolving M. tuberculosis bacteria and the HIV-1 viral “mutant cloud” is poorly understood. These evolutionary dynamics, at the cellular niche of monocytes/macrophages, are also discussed and proposed as a relevant future research topic in the context of single-cell sequencing.

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Resveratrol Inhibits Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection by Interfering with the AKT/GSK Pathway

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020346 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 346

Author(s):

Caitlin W. Lehman ◽

Kylene Kehn-Hall ◽

Megha Aggarwal ◽

Nicole R. Bracci ◽

Han-Chi Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiviral Activity ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Glycogen Synthase ◽

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus ◽

Encephalitis Virus ◽

Host Cells ◽

Dynamics Simulation ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis ◽

Equine Encephalitis Virus

The host proteins Protein Kinase B (AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) are associated with multiple neurodegenerative disorders. They are also important for the replication of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), thereby making the AKT/GSK-3 pathway an attractive target for developing anti-VEEV therapeutics. Resveratrol, a natural phytochemical, has been shown to substantially inhibit the AKT pathway. Therefore, we attempted to explore whether it exerts any antiviral activity against VEEV. In this study, we utilized green fluorescent protein (GFP)- and luciferase-encoding recombinant VEEV to determine the cytotoxicity and antiviral efficacy via luciferase reporter assays, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescent assays. Our results indicate that resveratrol treatment is capable of inhibiting VEEV replication, resulting in increased viability of Vero and U87MG cells as well as reduced virion production and viral RNA contents within host cells for at least 48 h with a single treatment. Furthermore, the suppression of apoptotic signaling adaptors, caspase-3, caspase-7, and annexin V may also be implicated in resveratrol-mediated antiviral activity. We found that decreased phosphorylation of the AKT/GSK-3 pathway, mediated by resveratrol, can be triggered during the early stages of VEEV infection, suggesting that resveratrol disrupts the viral replication cycle and consequently promotes cell survival. Finally, molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies revealed that resveratrol can directly bind to VEEV glycoproteins, which may interfere with virus attachment and entry. In conclusion, our results suggest that resveratrol exerts inhibitory activity against VEEV infection and upon further modification could be a useful compound to study in neuroprotective research and veterinary sciences.

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