PLNC8 αβ Potently Inhibits the Flavivirus Kunjin and Modulates Inflammatory and Intracellular Signaling Responses of Alveolar Epithelial Cells.

PLNC8 αβ is a cationic antimicrobial peptide that previously has been reported to express both antibacterial and antiviral properties. This study aimed to further elucidate the antiviral effects of PLNC8 αβ and its impact on virus-induced cytotoxicity and inflammatory signaling in human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) infected with the flavivirus Kunjin. Complementary in silico analyses using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were conducted to investigate the mechanism of action of PLNC8 αβ by studying the interaction of PLNC8 α and β with models of a flavivirus membrane and a eukaryotic plasma membrane, respectively.

Knowledge and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination in Sudan: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Vaccines are an essential part of public health interventions to mitigate the devastating health and non-health impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the fact that Sudan launched the COVID-19 vaccination program in March 2021, only 10% of the population received their two primary doses of vaccines by the end of May 2022. This delayed uptake of vaccines obviously warrants investigation.

Plantaricin NC8 αβ rapidly and efficiently inhibits flaviviruses and SARS-CoV-2 by disrupting their envelopes.

Potent broad-spectrum antiviral agents are urgently needed to combat existing and emerging viral infections. This is particularly important considering that vaccine development is a costly and time consuming process and that viruses constantly mutate and render the vaccine ineffective. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP), such as bacteriocins, are attractive candidates as antiviral agents against enveloped viruses.