Characterization of beta-D-N-4-Hydroxycytidine as a Novel Inhibitor of Chikungunya Virus

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Maryam Ehteshami Akbari, Emory University; Sijia Tao, Emory University; Keivan Zandi, Emory University; Hui-Mien Hsiao, Emory University; Yong Jiang, Emory University; Emily Hammond, Emory University; Franck Amblard, Emory University; Olivia O. Russell, Emory University; Andres Merits, University of Tartu; Raymond Schinazi, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-04
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AAC.02395-16
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
• ISSN: 0066-4804
• Volume: 61
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: e02395-16
• End Page: e02395-16
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by NIH grants 5P30-AI-50409 (to R.F.S.) (Center for AIDS Research) and 1R21-AI-129607.
• Keywords: Life Sciences & Biomedicine; antiviral agents; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Chikungunya virus; CELLS; replicon; REPLICATION; Microbiology; MECHANISMS; nucleoside analogs; Science & Technology
• Research Categories: Biology, Virology; Biology, Microbiology; Health Sciences, Immunology

Abstract

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) represents a reemerging global threat to human health. Recent outbreaks across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean have prompted renewed scientific interest in this mosquito-borne alphavirus. There are currently no vaccines against CHIKV, and treatment has been limited to nonspecific antiviral agents, with suboptimal outcomes. Herein, we have identified β-D-N 4 -hydroxycytidine (NHC) as a novel inhibitor of CHIKV. NHC behaves as a pyrimidine ribonucleoside and selectively inhibits CHIKV replication in cell culture.