Targeting vesicle size

Abstract

An amphipathic peptide has been engineered and is capable of penetrating the blood–brain barrier as well as possessing a potent antiviral activity against Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses.

Fig. 1. AH-D peptide and its membrane-disruptive activity against liposomes.

a, Helix net diagram of AH-D peptide. The N-terminus of the peptide starts at the bottom of the helix. b, Illustration of AH-D peptide (red) disrupting the membrane of liposomes (blue) with diameters of <160 nm.

Fig. 2. In vivo efficacy of AH-D peptide in mice.

a,b, Type-I interferon receptor knockout mice (IFN-α/βR^–/–) were intravenously infected with 4 × 10³ plaque-forming units (PFU) of Zika virus (ZIKV). The infected mice were treated with 25 mg kg^–1 AH-D peptide or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) mock on days three to six post-infection. The mice were monitored for survival (a). The levels of infectious virus within the brain (b) were measured on days three to seven post-infection. The AH-D treatment significantly decreased viral loads in serum and various organs, leading to improved survival. Adapted from ref. , Springer Nature Ltd.