title: Polyethylenimine is a strong inhibitor of human papillomavirus and cytomegalovirus infection.
abstract: Polyethylenimines are cationic polymers with potential as delivery vectors in gene therapy and with proven antimicrobial activity. However, the antiviral activity of polyethylenimines has not been addressed in detail thus far. We have studied the inhibitory effects of a linear 25-kDa polyethylenimine on infections with human papillomaviruses and human cytomegaloviruses. Preincubation of cells with polyethylenimine blocked primary attachment of both viruses to cells, resulting in a significant reduction of infection. In addition, the dissemination of human cytomegalovirus in culture cells was efficiently reduced by recurrent administration of polyethylenimine. Polyethylenimine concentrations required for inhibition of human papillomavirus and cytomegalovirus did not cause any cytotoxic effects. Polyethylenimines and their derivatives may thus be attractive molecules for the development of antiviral microbicides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. gilles.spoden@gmx.net
authors.forename: Gilles A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Spoden
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Besold
authors.forename: Steffi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krauter
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Plachter
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanik
authors.forename: Andreas F M
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Kilbinger
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Luise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Florin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019556:COS Cells; D002412:Cations; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009928:Organ Specificity; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D011094:Polyethyleneimine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053585:Virus Attachment / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D002412:Cations; D011094:Polyethyleneimine