An epigenetic drug designed to inhibit a specific enzyme displayed antiviral activity against the herpes virus in a recent study backed by the National Institutes of Health and published in mBio.
For the study, researchers examined how an epigenetic drug that inhibits the EZH2/1 enzyme affected the herpes virus. These types of inhibitors are currently being used in cancer trials, as the EZH2/1 enzymes are known to repress cancer-fighting cells. The enzymes are also known to repress herpes virus gene expression, so when researchers introduced the enzyme inhibitor to the herpes virus, researchers expected to see an uptick in viral gene expression. Surprisingly, the opposite was true.
In mouse models, the enzyme inhibitor spurred immune cells to matriculate at herpes infection cites. The study has implications for the possible use of epigenetic drugs as broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics.
To learn more about the study, click here.
More articles on infection control:
500+ patients potentially infected by dirty endoscopes at Buffalo VA Medical Center
Drug-resistant Brucella bacteria linked to Texas dairy farm: 4 things to know
50+ new cases, 3 deaths reported in San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak