Potent Anti-Influenza Activity of Cyanovirin-N and Interactions with Viral Hemagglutinin

Authors

B. R. O'Keefe
Donald F. Smee, Utah State UniversityFollow
J. A. Turpin
C. J. Saucedo
K. R. Gustafson
T. Mori
D. Blakeslee
R. Buckheit
M. R. Boyd

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

Volume

47

Issue

8

Publisher

American Society for Microbiology

Publication Date

2003

First Page

2518

Last Page

2525

Abstract

The novel antiviral protein cyanovirin-N (CV-N) was initially discovered based on its potent activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Subsequent studies identified the HIV envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp41 as molecular targets of CV-N. More recently, mechanistic studies have shown that certain high-mannose oligosaccharides (oligomannose-8 and oligomannose-9) found on the HIV envelope glycoproteins comprise the specific sites to which CV-N binds. Such selective, carbohydrate-dependent interactions may account, at least in part, for the unusual and unexpected spectrum of antiviral activity of CV-N described herein. We screened CV-N against a broad range of respiratory and enteric viruses, as well as flaviviruses and herpesviruses. CV-N was inactive against rhinoviruses, human parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and enteric viruses but was moderately active against some herpesvirus and hepatitis virus (bovine viral diarrhea virus) strains (50% effective concentration [EC50] = ~1 µg/ml) while inactive against others. Remarkably, however, CV-N and related homologs showed highly potent antiviral activity against almost all strains of influenza A and B virus, including clinical isolates and a neuraminidase inhibitor-resistant strain (EC50 = 0.004 to 0.04 µg/ml). When influenza virus particles were pretreated with CV-N, viral titers were lowered significantly (>1,000-fold). Further studies identified influenza virus hemagglutinin as a target for CV-N, showed that antiviral activity and hemagglutinin binding were correlated, and indicated that CV-N's interactions with hemagglutinin involved oligosaccharides. These results further reveal new potential avenues for antiviral therapeutics and prophylaxis targeting specific oligosaccharide-comprised sites on certain enveloped viruses, including HIV, influenza virus, and possibly others.

Comments

Originally published by the American Society for Microbiology. Publisher's PDF and HTML fulltext available through remote link.

Recommended Citation

O'Keefe, B.R., D.F. Smee, J. A. Turpin, C. J. Saucedo, K.R. Gustafson, T. Mori, D. Blakeslee, R. Buckheit, and M.R. Boyd 2003. Potent Anti-Influenza Activity of Cyanovirin-N and Interactions with Viral Hemagglutinin. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 47(8): 2518-2525.