Lipophilic statins inhibit Zika virus production in Vero cells

Scientific Reports
Erica EspañoJeong-Ki Kim

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne member of the Flaviviridae family. ZIKV infection has been associated with neurological complications such as microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults; thus, therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Statins are clinically approved for lowering cholesterol levels to prevent cardiovascular disease but have shown potential as antiviral drugs. In this study, we explored the possibility of utilizing statins as anti-ZIKV drugs. We found that, generally, lipophilic statins (atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, and simvastatin) could reduce ZIKV production in vitro and result in smaller foci of infection. Time-of-drug-addition assay revealed that early treatment with statins is more beneficial than late treatment; however, statins could not completely inhibit the entry stage of ZIKV infection. Furthermore, individual lipophilic statins differed in anti-ZIKV capacity, with fluvastatin being the most efficient at low concentrations. Taken together, this study shows that statins or their derivatives have the potential to be used as anti-ZIKV therapeutic agents.

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Citations

Jul 8, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Irene RamosDolores Pérez-Sala
Aug 28, 2020·Frontiers in Microbiology·Katia FecchiAnna Ruggieri
Jul 29, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Rami A Al-HoraniKholoud F Aliter
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Feb 12, 2021·Progress in Lipid Research·Ilaria CasariMarco Falasca
Apr 30, 2021·Progress in Lipid Research·Maria Chiara ProtoMaurizio Bifulco
May 22, 2021·Frontiers in Pharmacology·Xinlei Li, Tao Peng
Jun 28, 2021·Antiviral Research·Sandra Kendra RainiMya Myat Ngwe Tun
Jul 24, 2021·Journal of Infection Prevention·Auda FaresJulius R Ivester
Jul 12, 2020·Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry·Denise RampiniJeanine Giarolla
Dec 11, 2019·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Zheng-Zong LaiJeng-Wei Lu

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
geranylgeranylation

Software Mentioned

SigmaPlot
AxioVision

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