Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes recurrent mucocutaneous lesions in the eye that may advance to corneal blindness. Nucleoside analogs exemplified by acyclovir (ACV) form the primary class of antiherpetic drugs, but this class suffers limitations due to the emergence of viral resistance and other side effects. While studying the molecular basis of ocular HSV-1 infection, we observed that BX795, a commonly used inhibitor of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), strongly suppressed infection by multiple strains of HSV-1 in transformed and primary human cells, cultured human and animal corneas, and a murine model of ocular infection. Our investigations revealed that the antiviral activity of BX795 relies on targeting Akt phosphorylation in infected cells, leading to the blockage of viral protein synthesis. This small-molecule inhibitor, which was also effective against an ACV-resistant HSV-1 strain, shows promise as an alternative to existing drugs and as an effective topical therapy for ocular herpes infection. Collectively, our results obtained using multiple infection models and virus strains establish BX795 as a promising lead compound for broad-spectrum antiviral applications in humans.

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Effective inactivation of biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) pathogens is vital in order to study these agents safely. Gamma irradiation is a commonly used method for the inactivation of BSL-4 viruses, which among other advantages, facilitates the study of inactivated yet morphologically intact virions. The reported values for susceptibility of viruses to inactivation by gamma irradiation are sometimes inconsistent, likely due to differences in experimental protocols. We analyzed the effects of common sample attributes on the inactivation of a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein and green fluorescent protein. Using this surrogate virus, we found that sample volume and protein content of the sample modulated viral inactivation by gamma irradiation but that air volume within the sample container and the addition of external disinfectant surrounding the sample did not. These data identify several factors which alter viral susceptibility to inactivation and highlight the usefulness of lower biosafety level surrogate viruses for such studies. Our results underscore the need to validate inactivation protocols of BSL-4 pathogens using “worst-case scenario” procedures to ensure complete sample inactivation.

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) remodels nuclear membranes during virus egress. Although the UL31 and UL34 proteins control nucleocapsid transit in infected cells, the molecular interactions required for their function are unclear. Here we report that the ␥ 1 34.5 gene product of HSV-1 facilitates nucleocapsid release to the cytoplasm through bridging the UL31/UL34 complex, cellular p32, and protein kinase C. Unlike wild-type virus, an HSV mutant devoid of ␥ 1 34.5 or its amino terminus is crippled for viral growth and release. This is attributable to a defect in virus nuclear egress. In infected cells, wild-type virus recruits protein kinase C to the nuclear membrane and triggers its activation, whereas the ␥ 1 34.5 mutants fail to exert such an effect. Accordingly, the ␥ 1 34.5 mutants are unable to induce phosphorylation and reorganization of lamin A/C. When expressed in host cells ␥ 1 34.5 targets p32 and protein kinase C. Meanwhile, it communicates with the UL31/UL34 complex through UL31. Deletion of the amino terminus from ␥ 1 34.5 disrupts its activity. These results suggest that disintegration of the nuclear lamina mediated by ␥ 1 34.5 promotes HSV replication. IMPORTANCEHSV nuclear egress is a key step that determines the outcome of viral infection. While the nuclear egress complex mediates capsid transit across the nuclear membrane, the regulatory components are not clearly defined in virus-infected cells. We report that the ␥ 1 34.5 gene product, a virulence factor of HSV-1, facilitates nuclear egress cooperatively with cellular p32, protein kinase C, and the nuclear egress complex. This work highlights a viral mechanism that may contribute to the pathogenesis of HSV infection. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) replicates and packages its DNA in the cell nucleus. Once assembled, the nucleocapsids traverse the nucleoplasm and cross the nuclear lamina. The capsids bud through the nuclear membranes in a two-step process called envelopment and de-envelopment (1). In this process, the nuclear egress complex, consisting of UL31 and UL34, mediates vesiculation of the inner nuclear membrane and results in enveloped virions in the perinuclear space. Primary virions fuse with the outer nuclear membrane, which releases the capsids to the cytoplasm for further maturation (2). Accumulating evidence suggests that additional proteins, including Us3, ICP22, UL47, gB, and gH, coordinate with the UL31/34 complex to facilitate nuclear egress in infected cells (3-6).The nuclear lamina is a dense meshwork underlying the inner nuclear membrane (7). It is composed primarily of type V intermediate filament proteins, lamin A/C and lamin B. Besides providing structural support to the nucleus, the nuclear lamina potentially presents a barrier to the transit of virus capsids. A number of studies suggest that herpesviruses alter the nuclear lamina to promote nuclear egress (8-11). For example, HSV-1 activates protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and induces phosphorylation of lamin B, which is dependent on the UL31/UL34 complex (1...

Current drug-delivery systems are designed primarily for parenteral applications and are either lipid or polymer drug conjugates. In our quest to inhibit herpes simplex virus infection via the compounds found in commonly used cosmetic products, we found that activated carbon particles inhibit infection and, in addition, substantially improve topical delivery and, hence, the efficacy of a common antiviral drug, acyclovir (ACV). Our in vitro studies demonstrate that highly porous carbon structures trapped virions, blocked infection and substantially improved efficacy when ACV was loaded onto them. Also, using murine models of corneal and genital herpes infections, we show that the topical use of drug-encapsulated carbon (DECON) reduced dosing frequency, shortened treatment duration, and exhibited higher therapeutic efficacy than currently approved topical or systemic antivirals alone. DECON is a nontoxic, cost-effective and nonimmunogenic alternative to current topical drug-delivery systems that is uniquely triggered for drug release by virus trapping.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is among the most prevalent viral infections worldwide and remains incurable. While nucleoside analogs are used to relieve symptoms of infection, they suffer from having serious adverse effects and are unable to abolish the virus from the host. Here, we demonstrate a unique antiviral effect of prodigiosin (PG), a natural secondary metabolite produced by Serratia marcescens, on HSV infection. We show that PG naturally exerts antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections. PG treatment resulted in robust inhibition of viral replication in vitro and ex vivo in cultured porcine corneas. Additionally, PG protected against HSV-1 infection and disease progression in a murine model of ocular infection. In our quest to determine the molecular mechanisms of its antiviral activity, we show that PG specifically inhibits NF-κB and Akt signaling pathways and promotes accelerated cell death in HSV-infected cells. Our findings reveal novel antiviral properties of PG, suggesting its high potential as an alternative treatment for herpetic diseases. They also provide new information on antiviral effects of HSV-bacterial metabolite interactions. IMPORTANCE In this article, we provide a new role for a commonly found bacterial pigment in controlling herpes simplex virus infection, for which diverse and multimodal antiviral agents are needed to prevent drug resistance. Serratia marcescens is a red pigment (prodigiosin)-producing Gram-negative bacillus that is naturally found in soil and water. It is associated with many kinds of human infections, including wound and eye infections, and meningitis. Taking cues from previous studies on prodigiosin, including possible proapoptotic anticancer properties, we investigated how it might affect HSV infection. Interestingly, we found that it is a potent virucidal compound that disrupts host signaling pathways needed for HSV growth and survival. The mode of antiviral action suggests potentially broad activity against enveloped viruses. Our results also indicate that interactions with commensal bacteria may inhibit HSV infection, underscoring the importance of studying these microbial metabolites and their implications for viral pathogenesis and treatment.

Purpose-To evaluate the prophylactic antiviral efficacy, corneal tolerance and toxicity of topically dosed BX795, a non-nucleoside small-molecule inhibitor of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1). Methods-Prophylactic treatment with BX795 was performed both in-vitro on human corneal epithelial cells and in-vivo on mice prior to HSV-1 challenge. Viral burden was evaluated using a standard plaque assay. In a separate experiment, mice were treated topically 3-times daily for 4weeks with BX795 to evaluate corneal tolerance and toxicity. Phenol-red thread measurements, fluorescein staining and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used to evaluate tear production, dryness and corneal structural changes. Corneal sensitivity and intraocular pressure were measured using esthesiometery and tonometery respectively. Results-Both in-vitro and in-vivo results showed a robust suppression of HSV-1 infection when treated prophylactically with BX795. The fluorescein stain and phenol-red results for the BX795treated eyes did not show signs of corneal surface dryness when compared to trifluridine (TFT), an FDA-approved topical antiviral. The OCT measurements showed no signs of structural changes to the cornea suggesting that BX795 treatment was well tolerated without any apparent signs of toxicity or inflammation. The corneal sensitivity of BX795-treated eyes was not significantly different from TFT-treated eyes. No significant increase in the intraocular pressure of BX795treated mice was observed. Conclusions-Prophylactic treatment with BX795 protects corneal cells from HSV-1 infection. The antiviral is well-tolerated on murine corneas without any detectable toxicity.

Fast-replicating neurotropic herpesviruses exemplified by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) naturally infect the central nervous system (CNS). However, most individuals intrinsically suppress the virus during a primary infection and preclude it from significantly damaging the CNS. Optineurin (OPTN) is a conserved autophagy receptor with little understanding of its role in neurotropic viral infections. We show that OPTN selectively targets HSV-1 tegument protein, VP16, and the fusion glycoprotein, gB, to degradation by autophagy. OPTN-deficient mice challenged with HSV-1 show significant cognitive decline and susceptibility to lethal CNS infection. OPTN deficiency unveils severe consequences for recruitment of adaptive immunity and suppression of neuronal necroptosis. Ocular HSV-1 infection is lethal without OPTN and is rescued using a necroptosis inhibitor. These results place OPTN at the crux of neuronal survival from potentially lethal CNS viral infections.