Synthetic anti-lipopolysaccharide peptides and hepatitis C virus infection. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Habersetzer, François; Leboeuf, Céline; Doffoël, Michel; Zeisel, Mirjam B; Baumert, Thomas F
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on investigational drugs. Volume 22:Number 7(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 853
• Page End: 862
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: Drugs -- Design -- Periodicals; Drugs, Investigational -- Bibliography; Drugs, Investigational -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2013.794218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-3784

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold> <italic>Introduction:</italic> </bold> Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although antiviral therapy has been markedly improved by the licensing of direct-acting antivirals, safety, resistance, high costs and difficult-to-treat patients remain important challenges.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Areas covered:</italic> </bold> This article focuses and comments on the recent development of synthetic anti-lipopolysaccharide peptides (SALPs) which bind to highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan/heparan sulfate (HS) on cell surface. HS serves as a primary docking site for several viruses to their respective host cells before the viruses interact with their cell surface receptor(s). <italic>In vitro</italic> studies have shown that SALPs inhibit entry of HCV without cell toxicity.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Expert opinion:</italic> </bold> SALPs prevent viral infection in cell culture model systems. Treatment studies of established HCV infection in cell culture models as well as proof-of-concept and safety studies in animal models are needed to evaluate their potential for drug development. The mechanism of action of SALPs as entry inhibitors suggests a potential application for HCV-infected patients to prevent reinfection of the liver graft in liver transplantation. Potential limitations may include high doses to obtain an antiviral effect and a target which is widely expressed and has a key function in cell physiology.</p> </abstract>