[Semen-derived enhancer of viral infection--a key factor in sexual transmission of HIV].

Semen-derived enhancer of viral infection(SEVI) is a peptide fragment (PAP248-286) from prostatic acid phosphatase(PAP), which can enhance human immunodeficiency virus infection. The mechanisms of SEVI include: (1) SEVI with several cationic amino acid residues reduced electrostatic repulsion between HIV virus and the target cells; (2) The disorder state of SEVI in the human body fluids was helpful to the interaction between virus and the target cell membranes; (3) SEVI could capture HIV particles directly and speed the velocity of virus on the surface of the target cells and improve adsorption and fusion. Currently, the substances of inhibiting SEVI activity include: EGCG from green tea, small molecule compound of aminoquinoline Surfen, ThT analogs BTA-EG6. Those compounds might block the combination of HIV and SEVI or prevent the formation of amyloid fibers, and then reduce the enhancement of SEVI. The studies on the biological characteristics and mechanisms of SEVI have a big benefit for the prevention and treatment of HIV infection.

[Antiviral activity of 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride-modified ovalbumin against herpes simplex virus 2 in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiviral activity of 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride-modified ovalbumin (HP-OVA) against herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. METHODS: By chemical modification, ovalbumin (OVA) was treated with 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride (HP) to prepare HP-OVA. The anti-HSV-2 activity against HSV-2 333 virus in vitro and the cytotoxicity of HP-OVA in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero cells) were detected by MTT colorimetric assay. The inhibitory effects of HP-OVA on 17 strains of vaginal lactobacilli were observed by microscopy. RESULTS: Anhydride-modified ovalbumin significantly inhibited the infection by HSV-2 with an IC(50) of 23.56±8.33 µg/ml. HP-OVA showed only low cytotoxicity to the host cells with a CC(50) over 1 mg/ml. HP-OVA did not produce significant inhibitory effect on the 17 strains of vaginal lactobacilli (MIC>1 mg/ml). CONCLUSION: Anhydride-modified protein HP-OVA exhibits potent anti-HSV-2 activity in vitro and can be a good microbicide candidate for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.