An inducible heat shock protein 70 small molecule inhibitor demonstrates anti-dengue virus activity, validating Hsp70 as a host antiviral target.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

An estimated three billion people are at risk of Dengue virus (DENV) infection worldwide and there are currently no approved therapeutic interventions for DENV infection. Due to the relatively small size of the DENV genome, DENV is reliant on host factors throughout the viral life cycle. The inducible form of Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70i) has been implicated as a host factor in DENV pathogenesis, however the complete role remains to be elucidated. Here we further illustrate the importance of Hsp70i in dengue virus pathogenesis and describe the antiviral activity of the allosteric small molecule inhibitor that is selective for Hsp70i, called HS-72. In monocytes, Hsp70i is expressed at low levels preceding DENV infection, but Hsp70i expression is induced upon DENV infection. Targeting Hsp70i with HS-72, results in a dose dependent reduction in DENV infected monocytes, while cell viability was maintained. HS-72 works to reduce DENV infection by inhibiting the entry stage of the viral life cycle, through disrupting the association of Hsp70i with the DENV receptor complex. This work highlights Hsp70i as an antiviral target and HS-72 as a potential anti-DENV therapeutic agent.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Howe, MK; Speer, BL; Hughes, PF; Loiselle, DR; Vasudevan, S; Haystead, TAJ

Published Date

  • June 2016

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 130 /

Start / End Page

  • 81 - 92

PubMed ID

  • 27058774

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4955699

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1872-9096

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.03.017

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • Netherlands