The 25-kDa linear polyethylenimine exerts specific antiviral activity against pseudorabies virus through interferencing its adsorption via electrostatic interaction

• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00007-24
• Publication Date: 2024-02-02T14:01:20Z
• Authors: Changchao Huan; Ping Yan; Fan Yang; Haochun Pan; Yutong Hou; Luyao Jiang; Jingting Yao; Haozhen Chen; Jiarun Li; Song Gao
• Keywords: Pseudorabies; Polyethylenimine; Antiviral drug

ABSTRACT Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is the causative agent of Aujeszky’s disease, which responsible for enormous economic losses to global pig industry. Although vaccination has been used prevent PRV infection, effectiveness vaccines greatly diminished with emergence variants. Therefore, there an urgent need develop anti-PRV drugs. Polyethylenimine (PEI) a cationic polymer and wide range antibacterial antiviral activities. This study found that low dose 1 µg/mL 25-kDa linear PEI had significantly specific activity, became more intense increasing concentrations. Mechanistic studies revealed viral adsorption stage was major target without affecting entry, replication stages, direct inactivation effects. Subsequently, we polymers Polybrene interfered interaction between proteins cell surface receptors through electrostatic exert function. In conclusion, such as can be category options defense against PRV. Understanding mechanism also deepens host-virus interactions reveals new drug targets anti-PRV. IMPORTANCE plays essential role in host immune response microbial infections. However, mechanisms interfering pseudorabies infection remain unclear. Here, exerted activity its mainly stage. Correspondingly, demonstrated by adsorption. addition, are promising novel controlling PRV, may provide strategy development