In vitro study of the action of cationic liposomes containing natural compounds as an antiviral against CHIKV

• Grant number: 22/07092-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Marilia de Freitas Calmon
• Grantee: Marilia de Freitas Calmon
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Antonio Claudio Tedesco ; Paula Rahal

Abstract

Arboviruses are diseases caused by a group of viruses (arboviruses) that have hematophagous arthropods as transmission vectors. These diseases have a great economic and social impact, representing a serious public health problem. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus that belongs to the Togaviridae family and is grouped within the Alphavirus genus. To date, no licensed anti-CHIKV therapy or vaccine is available and only palliative care is recommended to alleviate symptoms. Although the mortality rate is modest, the debilitating and chronic nature and economic burden associated with CHIKV infection demonstrate the significant need for treatments or vaccines that are safe, effective and cost-effective to reduce viral shedding and limit the disease burden. Liposomes are a very interesting delivery system for antiviral agents as they can be administered by various routes according to the type and severity of the infection. In the present project, the toxicity of berberine-containing liposomes (LB) and emodin-containing liposomes (LE) will be determined in newborn hamster renal fibroblast cells (BHK-21) and human hepatoma cells (Huh-7) by the method of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). Liposomes that demonstrate a percentage of cell viability greater than 80% will have their antiviral activity evaluated over the complete replication cycle of CHIKV. Liposomes that exhibit activity against CHIKV will be investigated in relation to the inhibition effect on the entry (adsorption and internalization) and viral release steps. Additionally, liposomes will also be analyzed for their inhibition effect on viral infectivity and for their ability to directly inactivate extracellular viral particles. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA CONCEICAO, PAMELA JOYCE PREVIDELLI; AYUSSO, GABRIELA MIRANDA; CARVALHO, TAMARA; LIMA, MARIA LETICIA DUARTE; MARINHO, MIKAELA DOS SANTOS; MORAES, FABIO ROGERIO; GALAN-JURADO, PAOLA ELAINE; GONZALEZ-SANTAMARIA, JOSE; BITTAR, CINTIA; ZHANG, BO; et al. In Vitro Evaluation of the Antiviral Activity of Polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate (EGCG) Against Mayaro Virus. Viruses-Basel, v. 17, n. 2, p. 18-pg., 2025-02-01. (22/07092-7)