Inhibitory effects of polycations on the replication of enveloped viruses (HIV, HSV, CMV, RSV, influenza A virus and togaviruses) in vitro

Abstract

Polycationic compounds, i.e. poly-L-lysines and poly-D-lysines, were evaluated for their in vitro effect on the replication of various viruses. Poly-L-lysines of different molecular weight proved inhibitory to the replication of several enveloped viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A virus, Sindbis virus, Semliki Forest virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and human cytomegalovirus (CMV). The mechanism of action of the polylysines against HIV-1, RSV and CMV could be attributed to an inhibitory effect on virus binding to the host cells, as demonstrated by an indirect immunofluorescence/laser flow cytofluorographic method, virus plaque reduction and measurement of radiolabelled virion association with the cells, respectively.