HIV Drug For Zika Infection
In a new study by Temple University, scientists report that a drug used in the treatment of HIV also stops Zika virus infection.
In cell and animal models, they demonstrated that the drug, called rilpivirine, suppresses the Zika virus by targeting enzymes that both HIV and Zika virus depends on for their replication. These enzymes occur in other viruses closely related to Zika. These include the viruses that cause dengue, yellow fever, West Nile fever, and hepatitis C.
HIV and the Zika virus are distinct types of RNA viruses. Scientists found that rilpivirine blocks Zika virus replication by binding to an RNA polymerase enzyme common to a family of RNA viruses. This research has opened the way to potentially being able to treat multiple RNA virus infections using the same strategy.
The Zika virus is now present ascross the globe, including America. The infection has attracted increasing attention in recent years, owing to its damaging effects on the human brain and the nervous system.
The virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Once it enters the body, it infects cells and replicates, typically infecting neural tissues. In the worst cases, Zika virus infection can cause
an autoimmune condition known as Guillain-Barré syndrome. This condition culminates in muscle paralysis. Infants born to mothers infected during pregnancy may experience delays in neurological development, including conditions such as microcephaly.HIV Drug For Zika Infection- How Does It Work?
To replicate inside cells, the Zika virus needs an enzyme called non-structural protein 5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5 RdRp). In the new research, Dr. Sariyer and the team showed that rilpivirine suppresses the Zika virus infection in cells by blocking viral replication.
Dr. Gordon’s team carried out experiments on mice, in which the animals were infected with the Zika virus through their footpads. This is similar to the way a person becomes infected through a mosquito bite. Mice that become infected with the Zika virus typically become very sick within about a week and eventually die.
On the other hand, Mice treated with rilpivirine survived. Dr. Gordon and the team concluded that rilpivirine disrupted the virus’s usual course of infection.
HIV Drug For Zika Infection- The Future Applications
Rilpivirine is one of several non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drugs that have been developed for the treatment of HIV infection. Experiments in which the Temple researchers tested two other NNRTIs in Zika-infected cells revealed similar effects on viral replication, with the drugs specifically inhibiting NS5 activity.
Dr . Gordon and the team now aim to make the drugs more potent and effective against flaviviruses. The researchers plan to step up their studies soon to develop ways to improve the effectiveness of NNRTIs in blocking infection with the Zika virus and other flaviviruses.