Inhibition of pathogenic non-enveloped viruses by 25-hydroxycholesterol and 27-hydroxycholesterol

Sci Rep. 2014 Dec 15:4:7487. doi: 10.1038/srep07487.

Abstract

Recent studies reported a broad but selective antiviral activity of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) against enveloped viruses, being apparently inactive against non-enveloped viruses. Here we show that 25HC is endowed with a marked antiviral activity against three pathogenic non-enveloped viruses, i.e. human papillomavirus-16 (HPV-16), human rotavirus (HRoV), and human rhinovirus (HRhV), thus significantly expanding its broad antiviral spectrum, so far recognized to be limited to viruses with envelope. Moreover, here we disclose the remarkable antiviral activity of another oxysterol of physiological origin, i.e. 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), against HPV-16, HRoV and HRhV. We have also identified a much weaker antiviral activity of other oxysterols of pathophysiological relevance, i.e 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol. These findings suggest that appropriate modulation of endogenous production of oxysterols might be a primary host strategy to counteract a broad panel of viral infections. Moreover, 25HC and 27HC could be considered for new therapeutic strategies against HPV-16, HRoV and HRhV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Human papillomavirus 16 / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Hydroxycholesterols / pharmacology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Picornaviridae Infections / drug therapy*
  • Picornaviridae Infections / virology
  • Rhinovirus / pathogenicity
  • Rotavirus / pathogenicity
  • Rotavirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Rotavirus Infections / virology
  • Virus Inactivation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hydroxycholesterols
  • 27-hydroxycholesterol
  • 25-hydroxycholesterol