Potential in vitro activity of Kutapressin against Epstein-Barr virus.
BACKGROUND
Kutapressin (KU), a porcine liver extract with bradykinin-potentiating effects but no vitamin B 12 activity, has been used in the treatment of Herpes zoster. We examined a phenol-free preparation of this drug for in vitro activity against Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).


METHODS
Immortalization-inhibition assays were used to assess EBV infectivity. Mitogen stimulation and cell viability assays were used to assess kutapression toxicity. Lytic replication assays and flow cytometry were used to assess the mechanism of drug activity.


RESULTS
Seventy-five hundred mcg/ml of KU blocked the infection of 2 x 10(5) human umbilical cord mononuclear cells when added together with two strains of EBV (B95-8 and FF41). Doses as low as 250 mcg/ml were occasionally effective as well. Unlike acyclovir, KU does not inhibit viral DNA polymerase nor does it appear to compete with EBV as it binds to its receptor on the B-cell surface.


CONCLUSIONS
The mechanism whereby KU may inhibit EBV immortalization remains to be determined. KU, a drug which is safe in humans, deserves further study as an agent with potential to block EBV-induced immortalization of B-lymphocytes.
Rosenfeld
E
E
Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Medical School, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
Salimi
B
B
O'Gorman
M R
MR
Lawyer
C
C
Katz
B Z
BZ
D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002460:Cell Line; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008110:Liver Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D008110:Liver Extracts; D010455:Peptides; C092698:kutapressin