Novel sulfane sulfur compound inhibits infection of renal cells by Nipah pseudovirus

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of the novel sulfane sulfur (SS) compound on the infection of renal cells by Nipah virus (NiV) . Methods African green monkey renal cells (Vero cells) were infected by pseudoviral particles containing PCDNA3.1 plasmids that encode the NiV adhesion G glycoprotein, fusion F glycoprotein, and a Luciferase reporter, such that NiV infection of the host cells was simulated. Before the infection, the NiV pseudovirus particles were treated with three SS compounds synthesized in advance and with a similar structure, including C1, C2 and C3, and then the intracellular virus content was measured. After the antiviral effect of SS was identified, the molecular structure of C1 was modified by L-cysteine (L-Cys) . The effect of L-Cys on the antiviral action of C1 was determined. Before the infection, the Vero cells were pretreated with different concentrations of C1. The effect of C1 on the cellular defense against virus was determined. After all the treatments, the intracellular virus content and cell viability were examined, respectively. Results The treatment of pseudovirus particles with C1 at concentrations from 2.5 to 20 μmol/L for 2 h could dose-dependently decrease the infectivity of NiV to Vero cells (r=-0.89, P 0.05) . L-Cys caused a dose-dependent reduction in the antiviral action of C1 by modifying its molecular structure (r=0.98, P 0.05) . The treatment with pseudovirus alone or in combination with C1 at different concentrations showed no significant effect on the cell viability (all P>0.05) . Conclusion The novel SS compound C1 inhibits the NiV infection of Vero cells. Its mechanism is related to unique molecular structure-induced attenuation of viral infectivity but not an increase in the cellular defense. Key words: Hydrogen sulfide; Sulfane sulfur; Viral infection; Vero cells; Nipah virus