Effect of (E)-5-(2-Bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine on Several Parameters of Epstein--Barr Virus Infection

Abstract

The selective and potent anti-herpesvirus drug, (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2''-deoxyuridine (BVdU), has been examined for its inhibitory effects on several parameters of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in the human lymphoblastoid cell lines Raji, P3HR-1, B-95-8 and P3 hybrid cells (a human embryo oropharyngeal cell line fused with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line). At a dosage of 0.03-0.1 mM, BVdU caused a marked inhibition of spontaneous viral capsid antigen (VCA) expression in B-95-8 and P3 hybrid cells, VCA expression and DNA synthesis in B-95-8 cells induced with croton oil and n-butyrate, early antigen (EA) expression and DNA synthesis in Raji cells superinfected with EBV and VCA expression and DNA synthesis in B-95-8 cells superinfected with EBV. In its inhibitory effects on these various parameters of EBV infection, BVdU appears to be comparable to acyclovir [9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine], another selective anti-herpesvirus drug which has been previously recognized as an effective inhibitor of EBV replication.