Recombinant human eosinophil-derived neurotoxin/RNase 2 functions as an effective antiviral agent against respiratory syncytial virus.

A dose-dependent decrease in infectivity was observed on introduction of eosinophils into suspensions of respiratory syncytial virus group B (RSV-B). This antiviral effect was reversed by ribonuclease inhibitor, suggesting a role for the eosinophil secretory ribonucleases. Recombinant eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (rhEDN), the major eosinophil ribonuclease, promoted a dose-dependent decrease in RSV-B infectivity, with a 40-fold reduction observed in response to 50 nM rhEDN. Ribonucleolytically inactivated rhEDN (rhEDNdK38) had no antiviral activity. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated loss of viral genomic RNA in response to rhEDN, suggesting that this protein promotes the direct ribonucleolytic destruction of extracellular virions. Ribonuclease A had no antiviral activity even at approximately 1000-fold higher concentrations, suggesting that rhEDN has unique features other than ribonuclease activity that are crucial to its effectiveness. These results suggest that rhEDN may have potential as a therapeutic agent for prevention or treatment of disease caused by RSV.