Generation of neutralizing aptamers against herpes simplex virus type 2: potential components of multivalent microbicides.

Journal article

The prophylactic use of topical antiviral agents has recently been validated by the reduction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection incidence seen using tonofovir-containing microbicides. In order to develop a wide-spectrum microbicide to prevent infection with a wide range of sexually transmitted viruses, we have previously reported the development of HIV-neutralizing aptamers and here report the isolation and characterization of aptamers that neutralize herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). These aptamers bind the envelope glycoprotein (gD), are potent (IC(50) of 20-50 nM) and are able to block infection pathways dependent on both major entry receptors, Nectin1 and HVEM. Structural analysis and mutagenesis of these aptamers reveal a core specificity element that could provide the basis for pharmaceutical development. As HSV-2 is a major risk factor for the acquisition of HIV-1, a microbicide capable of preventing HSV-2 infection would not only reduce the morbidity associated with HSV-2, but also that derived from HIV-1.

Authors: Moore, M; Bunka, D; Forzan, M; Spear, P; Stockley, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of general virology
• Volume: 92
• Issue: Pt 7
• Pages: 1493-1499
• Publication date: 2011-07-01
• DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.030601-0
• EISSN: 1465-2099
• ISSN: 0022-1317
• Language: English
• Keywords: Base Sequence; Antiviral Agents; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Humans; Herpes Simplex; Molecular Sequence Data; Animals; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Aptamers, Nucleotide