Antiherpetic potential of 6-bromoindirubin-3′-acetoxime (BIO-acetoxime) in human oral epithelial cells

MJ Hsu, SL Hung - Archives of virology, 2013 - Springer
MJ Hsu, SL Hung
Archives of virology, 2013Springer
Abstract Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) functions in the regulation of glycogen
metabolism, in the cell cycle, and in immune responses and is targeted by some viruses to
favor the viral life cycle. Inhibition of GSK-3 by 6-bromoindirubin-3′-acetoxime (BIO-
acetoxime), a synthetic derivative of a compound from the Mediterranean mollusk Hexaplex
trunculus, protects cells from varicella infection. In this study, we examined the effects of BIO-
acetoxime against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection in human oral epithelial cells …
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) functions in the regulation of glycogen metabolism, in the cell cycle, and in immune responses and is targeted by some viruses to favor the viral life cycle. Inhibition of GSK-3 by 6-bromoindirubin-3′-acetoxime (BIO-acetoxime), a synthetic derivative of a compound from the Mediterranean mollusk Hexaplex trunculus, protects cells from varicella infection. In this study, we examined the effects of BIO-acetoxime against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection in human oral epithelial cells, which represent a natural target cell type. The results revealed that BIO-acetoxime relieves HSV-1-induced cytopathic effects and apoptosis. We also found that BIO-acetoxime reduced viral yields and the expression of different classes of viral proteins. Furthermore, addition of BIO-acetoxime before, simultaneously with or after HSV-1 infection significantly reduced viral yields. Collectively, BIO-acetoxime may suppress viral gene expression and protect oral epithelial cells from HSV-1 infection. These results suggest the possible involvement of GSK-3 in HSV-1 infection.
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