Therapeutic Approaches Using Host Defence Peptides to Tackle Herpes Virus Infections 英文参考文献.docVIP

Viruses 2009, 1, 939-964; doi:10.3390/v1030939 OPEN ACCESS viruses ISSN 1999-4915 /journal/viruses Review Therapeutic Approaches Using Host Defence Peptides to Tackle Herpes Virus Infections H?vard Jenssen Department of Science, Systems Models, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, Building 18.1, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; E-Mail: jenssen@ruc.dk; Tel.: +45 4674 2877; Fax: +45 4674 3010 Received: 24 July 2009; in revised form: 11 October 2009 / Accepted: 16 November 2009 / Published: 18 November 2009 Abstract: One of the most common viral infections in humans is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can easily be treated with nucleoside analogues (e.g., acyclovir), but resistant strains are on the rise. Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides have been demonstrated to possess antiviral activity against HSV. New evidence has also indicated that these host defence peptides are able to selectively stimulate the innate immune system to fight of infections. This review will focus on the anti-HSV activity of such peptides (both natural and synthetic), describe their mode of action and their clinical potential. Keywords: cationic host defence peptides; antiviral therapy; herpes; antimicrobial peptides; innate defense regulators; immune stimulation 1. Introduction Introduction of the therapeutic use of penicillin during World War II followed by the discovery and development of other antibiotics targeting bacterial, and later also viral and fungal pathogens, have had a tremendous impact on human life expectancy. However, infectious diseases remain the main cause of morbidity and mortality accounting for nearly one-third of the global deaths annually [1]. In addition to this, there have been reports of alarming increases in the prevalence of drug-resistant clinical viral strains, especially in cases related to HIV, highlighting the urgent need for new antiviral intervention strategies. Despite these