Lin Shih-Chao, Ho Chi-Tang, Chuo Wen-Ho, Li Shiming, Wang Tony T, Lin Chi-Chen
Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
BMC Infect Dis. 2017 Feb 13;17(1):144. doi: 10.1186/s12879-017-2253-8.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging viral pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality. Up to date, there is no approved or licensed vaccine or antiviral medicines can be used to treat MERS-CoV-infected patients. Here, we analyzed the antiviral activities of resveratrol, a natural compound found in grape seeds and skin and in red wine, against MERS-CoV infection.
We performed MTT and neutral red uptake assays to assess the survival rates of MERS-infected Vero E6 cells. In addition, quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescent assays determined the intracellular viral RNA and protein expression. For viral productivity, we utilized plaque assays to confirm the antiviral properties of resveratrol against MERS-CoV.
Resveratrol significantly inhibited MERS-CoV infection and prolonged cellular survival after virus infection. We also found that the expression of nucleocapsid (N) protein essential for MERS-CoV replication was decreased after resveratrol treatment. Furthermore, resveratrol down-regulated the apoptosis induced by MERS-CoV in vitro. By consecutive administration of resveratrol, we were able to reduce the concentration of resveratrol while achieving inhibitory effectiveness against MERS-CoV.
In this study, we first demonstrated that resveratrol is a potent anti-MERS agent in vitro. We perceive that resveratrol can be a potential antiviral agent against MERS-CoV infection in the near future.
中东呼吸综合征冠状病毒(MERS-CoV)是一种新出现的病毒病原体,可导致严重发病和死亡。截至目前,尚无经批准或获许可的疫苗或抗病毒药物可用于治疗MERS-CoV感染患者。在此,我们分析了白藜芦醇(一种存在于葡萄籽、葡萄皮和红酒中的天然化合物)对MERS-CoV感染的抗病毒活性。
我们进行了MTT和中性红摄取试验,以评估MERS感染的Vero E6细胞的存活率。此外,定量PCR、蛋白质印迹法和免疫荧光试验测定了细胞内病毒RNA和蛋白质表达。对于病毒产生能力,我们利用蚀斑试验来确认白藜芦醇对MERS-CoV的抗病毒特性。
白藜芦醇显著抑制MERS-CoV感染,并延长病毒感染后的细胞存活时间。我们还发现,白藜芦醇处理后,对MERS-CoV复制至关重要的核衣壳(N)蛋白表达降低。此外,白藜芦醇在体外下调了MERS-CoV诱导的细胞凋亡。通过连续给予白藜芦醇,我们能够在达到对MERS-CoV抑制效果的同时降低白藜芦醇的浓度。
在本研究中,我们首次证明白藜芦醇在体外是一种有效的抗MERS药物。我们认为白藜芦醇在不久的将来可能成为一种抗MERS-CoV感染的潜在抗病毒药物。