Anti-zika virus activity of polyoxometalates

• Published in: Antiviral research Vol. 163; pp. 29 - 33
• Main Authors: Francese, Rachele, Civra, Andrea, Rittà, Massimo, Donalisio, Manuela, Argenziano, Monica, Cavalli, Roberta, Mougharbel, Ali S., Kortz, Ulrich, Lembo, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2019
• Subjects: Animals; Antiviral Agents - chemistry; Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; Antivirals; Chlorocebus aethiops; Entry inhibitor; Flavivirus; Polyoxometalates; Tungsten Compounds - chemistry; Tungsten Compounds - pharmacology; Vero Cells; Virus Internalization - drug effects; Virus Replication - drug effects; Zika virus; Zika Virus - drug effects; Zika Virus - physiology; Polyoxometalates; Zika virus; Entry inhibitor; Flavivirus; Antivirals
• ISSN: 0166-3542; 1872-9096
• DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.01.005

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging infectious viral pathogen associated with severe fetal cerebral anomalies and the paralytic Guillain-Barrè syndrome in adults. It was the cause of a recent global health crisis following its entrance into a naïve population in the Americas. Nowadays, no vaccine or specific antiviral against ZIKV is available. In this study, we identified three polyoxometalates (POMs), the Anderson-Evans type [TeW6O24]6- (TeW6), and the Keggin-type [TiW11CoO40]8-_ (TiW11Co), and [Ti2PW10O40]7- (Ti2PW10), that inhibit ZIKV infection with EC50s in the low micromolar range. Ti2PW10, the POM with the greatest selectivity index (SI), was selected and the step of ZIKV replicative cycle putatively inhibited was investigated by specific antiviral assays. We demonstrated that Ti2PW10 targets the entry process of ZIKV infection and it is able to significantly reduce ZIKV progeny production. These results suggest that the polyanion Ti2PW10 could be a good starting point to develop an effective therapeutic to treat ZIKV infection. •No vaccine or specific antiviral against ZIKV is available.•The polyoxometalates TeW6, TiW11Co and Ti2PW10 showed a marked anti-ZIKV activity in vitro.•TeW6, TiW11Co and Ti2PW10 are not toxic for cells.•Ti2PW10 inhibits the entry process of ZIKV into the host cell.•Ti2PW10 is able to significantly reduce ZIKV progeny production.