A novel antiviral inhibits Zika virus infection while increasing intracellular glutathione biosynthesis in distinct cell culture models

Antiviral Res. 2019 Jan:161:46-52. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.09.004. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Abstract

We investigated the effects of a specific free-form amino acids formulation on Zika virus replication in two different cell culture model systems, one representative of humans and the other of Old World primates from whom Zika virus was first isolated. Here we present data demonstrating that the formulation of the specific free-form amino acid (FFAAP), comprising cystine, glycine, and a glutamate source, along with a minute concentration of selenium inhibited Zika virus replication by up to 90% with an ED90 (effective dose at which 90% of a dose of Zika virus was inhibited) of 2.5 mM in human cells and 4 mM Vero cells. The ED90 concentration of precursors was innocuous for uninfected cells, but resulted in reduced Zika virus replication by up to 90% at 2-5 mM concentrations in nonhuman primate cells and at 1-3 mM concentration in human placental cells. Two important observations were forthcoming: 1) Zika virus production was decreased by up to 90% in Vero and JEG-3 cells treated with FFAAP (ED90 4.0 mM, and 2.5 mM, respectively) throughout 48-72 h of post infection (hpi) compared to untreated infected cells and 2) Zika virus requires intracellular glutathione for replication in human placental cells, while showing enhanced replication in Vero cells with no glutathione. Relative increases in intracellular glutathione biosynthesis followed FFAAP treatment but blocking intracellular biosynthesis of glutathione in human cells resulted in virus inhibition in human placental cells. The blockade of biosynthesis actually increased Zika virus replication in Vero cells. These findings identify an efficacious inhibitor, FFAAP, of Zika virus replication in both human and nonhuman primate cells, while providing novel insight into the different roles of intracellular glutathione in Zika virus replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoplasm / chemistry
  • Glutathione / biosynthesis*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Primates
  • Selenium / pharmacology
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Load / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Zika Virus / drug effects*
  • Zika Virus / physiology
  • Zika Virus Infection / prevention & control
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Glutathione
  • Selenium