Antiviral activity of antimicrobial cationic peptides against Junin virus and herpes simplex virus

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2004 Apr;23(4):382-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2003.07.022.

Abstract

The in vitro antiviral activity of antimicrobial cationic peptides: cecropin A, melittin, magainin I and II and indolicidin against the arenavirus Junin virus (JV), and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) was evaluated. Cecropin A effectively inhibited JV multiplication and failed to affect HSV replication whereas melittin impeded the multiplication of JV and HSV, but was highly toxic for the host cell. Magainins I and II exhibited inhibitory action toward HSV-1 and HSV-2 but were inactive against JV. Only indolicidin showed a direct inactivation effect on cell-free virus stocks. Besides its inhibitory effect on JV replication cecropin A also was active against the arenaviruses Tacaribe and Pichinde, mainly affecting late events of arenavirus multiplication cycle by preventing viral morphogenesis and egress from infected cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / toxicity
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / toxicity
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cricetinae
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / drug effects*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / drug effects*
  • Junin virus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides