Neutralization of Acidic Intracellular Vesicles by Niclosamide Inhibits Multiple Steps of the Dengue Virus Life Cycle In Vitro

Sci Rep. 2019 Jun 18;9(1):8682. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-45095-1.

Abstract

Dengue fever is one of the most important mosquito-borne viral infections in large parts of tropical and subtropical countries and is a significant public health concern and socioeconomic burden. There is an urgent need to develop antivirals that can effectively reduce dengue virus (DENV) replication and decrease viral load. Niclosamide, an antiparasitic drug approved for human use, has been recently identified as an effective antiviral agent against a number of pH-dependent viruses, including flaviviruses. Here, we reveal that neutralization of low-pH intracellular compartments by niclosamide affects multiple steps of the DENV infectious cycle. Specifically, niclosamide-induced endosomal neutralization not only prevents viral RNA replication but also affects the maturation of DENV particles, rendering them non-infectious. We found that niclosamide-induced endosomal neutralization prevented E glycoprotein conformational changes on the virion surface of flaviviruses, resulting in the release of non-infectious immature virus particles with uncleaved pr peptide from host cells. Collectively, our findings support the potential application of niclosamide as an antiviral agent against flavivirus infection and highlight a previously uncharacterized mechanism of action of the drug.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / chemistry
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / drug effects*
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / virology
  • Dengue Virus / drug effects*
  • Dengue Virus / genetics
  • Dengue Virus / growth & development
  • Endosomes / chemistry
  • Endosomes / drug effects*
  • Endosomes / virology
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Intracellular Space / chemistry
  • Intracellular Space / drug effects*
  • Intracellular Space / virology
  • Life Cycle Stages / drug effects
  • Niclosamide / pharmacology*
  • Vero Cells
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism
  • Virion / drug effects
  • Virion / genetics
  • Virion / growth & development
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / genetics

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • E protein TH Sman, Dengue virus
  • Niclosamide