Effect of cell culture conditions on the anticytomegalovirus activity of maribavir

Abstract

The cytomegalovirus UL97 kinase inhibitor maribavir suppressed viral growth more effectively in lung fibroblasts than in skin fibroblasts, and some cellular kinase inhibitors enhanced its antiviral activity. These effects influence the phenotypic assay of drug susceptibility and suggest the possibility of therapeutically useful combinations of maribavir and cellular kinase inhibitors.

FIG. 1.

SEAP growth curves for CMV strain T2233 under different MBV concentrations in (A) HEL cells and (B) HFF. Data points are the means ± standard errors of the means from at least four assays. RLU, relative light units.

FIG. 2.

SEAP yield reduction curves of CMV strain T2233 at 5.5 days under MBV. The effects of various concentrations of MBV were tested with four different cell types (HFF, MRHF, MRC-5, and HEL cells) and with HFF in the presence of rapamycin (Rapa), roscovitine (Rosco), or the leflunomide metabolite A77-1726 (A77). One hundred percent SEAP activity is defined as the level of activity in the wells without added drug. Data points are means ± standard errors of the means from at least four assays.