Background: Cacicol^{®}, a topical eye biopolymer containing a poly-carboxymethylglucose sulfate solution that is a regenerating matrix therapy agent, intended for wound healing of persistent corneal epithelial defects. Based on the chemical composition, we hypothesized that Cacicol^{®} may compete with natural heparan sulfate (HS) which initiates cell surface attachment of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), varicella zoster virus (VZV) and human adenovirus (HAdV), three viruses associated with corneal infections.
Methods: Cacicol^{®} was compared to vehicle in the following viral strains: HSV-1 SC16 strain and HSV-1 PSLR, a clinical isolate highly resistant to acyclovir and foscarnet; VZV ATH and VZV FLO, two VZV clinical isolates; and HAdV-D37 strain. Viruses in Cacicol^{®} or vehicle were added to cells for 1 h during adsorption then viral replication was assessed by plaque reduction assays on Vero cells for HSV-1 and MeWo cells for VZV and by immunostaining assay on Hep-2 cells for HAdV-D37.
Results: The vehicle had no effect, dose-dependent effects were demonstrated when HSV-1 SC16, HSV-1 PSLR, VZV ATH and VZV FLO were inoculated in the presence of Cacicol^{®}, inhibiting viral replication by 98.4%, 98.9%, 90.1% and 89.0%, respectively. Cacicol^{®} had no antiviral effect against HAdV-D37.
Conclusions: Cacicol^{®} has a significant antiviral activity on HSV-1 and VZV, but not on HAdV-D37. The lack of effect on HAdV is probably because it is less dependent on HS interactions for cell entry. Clinical studies are necessary to determine Cacicol^{®} for an adjunct or alternative therapy of corneal HSV-1 or VZV infection, particularly for the management of antiviral resistant HSV-1.
Antiviral effects of Cacicol®, a heparan sulfate biomimetic for corneal regeneration therapy, for herpes simplex virus type-1 and varicella zoster virus infection
[Category] 두창, 수두, 홍역,
Pubmed URL [DOI] 10.3851/IMP3254
[Source] pubmed
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