Several years have passed since the Zika virus (ZIKV) pandemic reoccurred in 2015-2016. However, there is still a lack of proved protective vaccines or effective drugs against ZIKV. The peptide brevinin-2GHk (BR2GK), pertaining to the brevinin-2 family of antimicrobial peptides, has been reported to exhibit only weak antibacterial activity, and its antiviral effects have not been investigated. Thus, we analyzed the effect of BR2GK on ZIKV infection. BR2GK showed significant inhibitory activity in the early and middle stages of ZIKV infection, with negligible cytotoxicity. Furthermore, BR2GK was suggested to bind with ZIKV E protein and disrupt the integrity of the envelope, thus directly inactivating ZIKV. In addition, BR2GK can also penetrate the cell membrane, which may contribute to inhibition of the middle stage of ZIKV infection. BR2GK blocked ZIKV E protein expression with an IC of 3.408 ± 0.738 μΜ. In summary, BR2GK was found to be a multi-functional candidate and a potential lead compound for further development of anti-ZIKV drugs.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v13122382 | DOI Listing |
BMC Infect Dis
January 2025
EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, Porto, 4050 - 600, Portugal.
Background: The incidence of mosquito-borne infections has increased worldwide. Mainland Portugal's characteristics might favour the (re)emergence of mosquito-borne diseases. This study aimed to characterize the spatial distribution of vectors and notification rates of imported cases of mosquito-borne infections in mainland Portugal and demarcate the areas where these geographies overlap.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImmunology
January 2025
The Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study of Sichuan Province, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
Many virus species, including Ebola virus, Marburg virus, SARS-CoV-2, dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), exploit CD209 and CD209L as alternative or attachment receptors for viral cis- or trans-infection. Thus, CD209 and CD209L may be critical targets for the development of therapeutic monoclonal blocking antibody drugs to disrupt the infection process caused by multiple viruses. Here, we produced a human chimeric monoclonal blocking antibody that simultaneously blocks CD209 and CD209L, namely 7-H7-B1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRev Med Virol
January 2025
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are two major mosquito-borne flaviviruses that pose a significant threat to the global public health system, particularly in tropical regions. The clinical outcomes related to these viral pathogens can vary from self-limiting asymptomatic infections to various forms of life-threatening pathological conditions such as haemorrhagic disorders. In addition to the direct effects of the viral pathogens, immune processes play also a significant function in the development of diseases mediated by ZIKV and DENV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Gen Virol
January 2025
Unidad de Medicina Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina de UCLM (IB-UCLM), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Albacete, Spain.
Translation errors, impaired folding or environmental stressors (e.g. infection) can all lead to an increase in the presence of misfolded proteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViruses
December 2024
Department of Research, Altino Ventura Foundation (FAV), Recife 50070-040, Brazil.
Deformities, body asymmetries, and muscle contractures are common consequences of atypical postural patterns in children with c ongenital Zika syndrome (CZS). This study aimed to evaluate the posture of children with CZS, considering their neurological and visual impairments. Ophthalmological assessment included binocular best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using Teller Acuity Cards II (TAC II) and an ocular motility evaluation.
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