1. Emergence of herpes simplex virus-1 syncytial variants with altered virulence for mice after selection with a natural carrageenan.
- Author
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Mateu CG, Recalde MP, Artuso MC, Hermida G, Linero FN, Scolaro LA, Damonte EB, Pujol CA, and Carlucci MJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Chlorocebus aethiops, Female, Herpes Genitalis pathology, Herpes Genitalis virology, Herpes Simplex pathology, Herpes Simplex virology, Herpesvirus 1, Human classification, Herpesvirus 1, Human drug effects, Herpesvirus 1, Human genetics, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Rhodophyta chemistry, Seaweed chemistry, Vero Cells, Virulence, Antiviral Agents pharmacology, Carrageenan pharmacology, Genetic Variation, Giant Cells physiology, Herpesvirus 1, Human pathogenicity, Selection, Genetic
- Abstract
Background: Antiviral therapy against herpes simplex virus based on sulfated polysaccharides, like carrageenans, represents a new alternative for genital herpes infections treatment and arises the concern about the appearance of resistant viral populations., Methods: We characterized the F strain of herpes simplex virus-1 passaged in the presence of a natural carrageenan isolated from the red seaweed Gigartina skottbergii in view of the virulence for mice of isolated viral clones., Results: Viral clones (syn14-1 and syn17-2) showed a syncytial phenotype and a mild resistance to carrageenan, heparin, acyclovir, and brivudine. Both clones were avirulent for BALB/c mice when inoculated intravaginally, whereas F strain produced high mortality. Attenuation correlated with low levels of TNF-[alpha], interleukin-6, and IFN-[gamma] in vaginal lavages although virus titers were similar to those obtained for F strain. On the contrary, they showed a marked virulence when inoculated intranasally leading to a generalized spreading of virus., Conclusions: Results confirm the hypothesis that selection of herpes simplex virus-1 with a carrageenan in vitro leads to the emergence of variants with a differential virulence when compared to the original virus. This finding should be addressed when an antiviral therapy against genital herpes infection employing a natural carrageenan is under consideration.
- Published
- 2011