Protection against anthrax toxemia by hexa-D-arginine in vitro and in vivo

Infect Immun. 2004 Jan;72(1):602-5. doi: 10.1128/IAI.72.1.602-605.2004.

Abstract

The anthrax toxin protective antigen precursor is activated by proteolytic cleavage by furin or a furin-like protease. We present here data demonstrating that the small stable furin inhibitor hexa-D-arginine amide delays anthrax toxin-induced toxemia both in cells and in live animals, suggesting that furin inhibition may represent a reasonable avenue for therapeutic intervention in anthrax.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthrax / prevention & control*
  • Antigens, Bacterial*
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity*
  • Cell Line
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Furin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / pathology
  • Male
  • Peptides / administration & dosage*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Toxemia / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Peptides
  • anthrax toxin
  • polyarginine
  • Furin