Amiodarone affects Ebola virus binding and entry into target cells

New Microbiol. 2018 Apr;41(2):162-164. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Abstract

Ebola Virus Disease is one of the most lethal transmissible infections characterized by a high fatality rate. Several research studies have aimed to identify effective antiviral agents. Amiodarone, a drug used for the treatment of arrhythmias, has been shown to inhibit filovirus infection in vitro by acting at the early step of the viral replication cycle. Here we demonstrate that amiodarone reduces virus binding to target cells and slows down the progression of the viral particles along the endocytic pathway. Overall our data support the notion that amiodarone interferes with Ebola virus infection by affecting cellular pathways/ targets involved in the viral entry process.

Keywords: Amiodarone; Antivirals; Ebola virus; Virus-like particles.

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / pharmacology
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Ebolavirus / drug effects*
  • Ebolavirus / physiology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Attachment / drug effects*
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Amiodarone