Co-protoporphyrin IX and Sn-protoporphyrin IX inactivate Zika, Chikungunya and other arboviruses by targeting the viral envelope

Sci Rep. 2018 Jun 28;8(1):9805. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-27855-7.

Abstract

The global situation of diseases transmitted by arthropod-borne viruses such as Dengue (DENV), Yellow Fever (YFV), Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses is alarming and treatment of human infection by these arboviruses faces several challenges. The discovery of broad-spectrum antiviral molecules, able to inactivate different groups of viruses, is an interesting approach. The viral envelope is a common structure among arboviruses, being a potential target for antivirals. Porphyrins are amphipathic molecules able to interact with membranes and absorb light, being widely used in photodynamic therapy. Previously, we showed that heme, Co-protoporphyrin IX (CoPPIX) and Sn-protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX) directly inactivate DENV and YFV infectious particles. Here we demonstrate that the antiviral activity of these porphyrins can be broadened to CHIKV, ZIKV, Mayaro virus, Sindbis virus and Vesicular Stomatitis virus. Porphyrin treatment causes viral envelope protein loss, affecting viral morphology, adsorption and entry into target cells. Also, light-stimulation enhanced the SnPPIX activity against all tested arboviruses. In summary, CoPPIX and SnPPIX were shown to be efficient broad-spectrum compounds to inactivate medically and veterinary important viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arbovirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Arbovirus Infections / virology
  • Arboviruses / drug effects
  • Arboviruses / physiology*
  • Chikungunya Fever / drug therapy
  • Chikungunya Fever / virology
  • Chikungunya virus / drug effects
  • Chikungunya virus / physiology*
  • Chikungunya virus / radiation effects
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Light
  • Metalloporphyrins / pharmacology*
  • Metalloporphyrins / therapeutic use
  • Protoporphyrins / pharmacology*
  • Protoporphyrins / therapeutic use
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism*
  • Virus Inactivation / drug effects*
  • Virus Inactivation / radiation effects
  • Zika Virus / drug effects
  • Zika Virus / physiology*
  • Zika Virus / radiation effects
  • Zika Virus Infection / drug therapy
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Metalloporphyrins
  • Protoporphyrins
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • cobaltiprotoporphyrin
  • tin protoporphyrin IX