Pegylation of IFN-alpha and antiviral activity.
The development of pegylated interferons (PEG-IFN) has significantly improved the eradication rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Two forms of PEG-IFN have been developed, based on two pegylation chemistries: the 12-kDa linear PEG-IFN-alpha2b and the 40-kDa branched PEG-IFN-alpha2a. We compared the in vitro antiviral activity of linear and branched PEG-IFN using the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay. The specific antiviral activity of branched PEG-IFN was 7% of that of linear PEG-IFN. A given quantity of linear and of branched PEG-IFN does not represent the same biologic activity. A bioassay could give new insights to compare the pharmacokinetic profile of linear PEG-IFN and of branched PEG-IFN.
Boulestin
Anne
A
Laboratoire de Virologie EA 2046-IFR 30, CHU Purpan, 31059 Toulouse, Cedex 9 France. aboulestin@yahoo.fr
Kamar
Nassim
N
Sandres-Sauné
Karine
K
Alric
Laurent
L
Vinel
Jean-Pierre
JP
Rostaing
Lionel
L
Izopet
Jacques
J
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001681:Biological Assay; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014721:Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b