The molecule could potentially be used as a therapeutic agent for dengue infection. Credit: Sulbha G Bansode
A small organic compound effectively stops dengue virus replication in mice and specific human cells1. It inhibited the growth of all four serotypes of dengue viruses that infect humans.
The molecule increased the life span of dengue-infected mice by boosting their immune response to the viruses. This suggests it could potentially be used as a therapeutic agent for dengue infection, says a team of researchers at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology and the Translational Health Science Technology Institute in Faridabad.
The scientists, led by Prasenjit Guchhait, screened nearly 1.1 million compounds virtually and identified a small, potent molecule, named 7D. It inhibited replication of DENV2 and halted the growth of DENV1, DENV3 and DENV4.
The molecule reduced proliferation of DENV2 in the livers and spleens of infected mice and showed no toxic effects. It also curbed a decrease in platelet count, which is a hallmark of dengue infection.
7D treatment increased the synthesis of interferons and specific antibodies that neutralise DENV2 and enhanced the percentage of antibody-producing plasma cells in the mice spleens.
