Abstract Title:

The antiviral alkaloid berberine reduces chikungunya virus-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling.

Abstract Source:

J Virol. 2016 Aug 17. Epub 2016 Aug 17. PMID: 27535052

Abstract Author(s):

Finny S Varghese, Bastian Thaa, Siti Naqiah Amrun, Diane Simarmata, Kai Rausalu, Tuula A Nyman, Andres Merits, Gerald M McInerney, Lisa F P Ng, Tero Ahola

Article Affiliation:

Finny S Varghese

Abstract:

: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has infected millions of people in the tropical and sub-tropical regions since its re-emergence in the last decade. We recently identified the non-toxic plant alkaloid berberine as an antiviral substance against CHIKV in a high-throughput screen. Here, we show that berberine is effective in multiple cell types against a variety of CHIKV strains, also at a high multiplicity of infection, consolidating the potential of berberine as an antiviral drug. We excluded any effect of this compound on virus entry or on the activity of the viral replicase. A human phosphokinase array revealed that CHIKV infection specifically activated the major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways: ERK, p38 and JNK. Upon treatment with berberine, this virus-induced MAPK activation was markedly reduced. Subsequent analyses with specific inhibitors of these kinases indicated that the ERK and JNK signaling cascades are important for the generation of progeny virions. In contrast to specific MAPK inhibitors, berberine lowered virus-induced activation of all major MAPK pathways and resulted in stronger reduction in viral titers. Further, we assessed the in vivo efficacy of berberine in a mouse model and measured a significant reduction of CHIKV-induced inflammatory disease. In summary, we demonstrate the efficacy of berberine as a drug against CHIKV and highlight the importance of the MAPK signaling pathways in the alphavirus infectious cycle.

IMPORTANCE: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes severe and persistent muscle and joint pain and has recently spread to the Americas. No licensed drug exists to counter this virus. In this study we report that the alkaloid berberine is antiviral against different CHIKV strains and in multiple human cell lines. We demonstrate that berberine collectively reduced the virus-induced activation of cellular mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. The relevance of these signaling cascades in the viral life cycle was emphasized by specific inhibitors of these kinase pathways, which decreased the production of progeny virions. Berberine significantly reduced CHIKV-induced inflammatory disease in a mouse model, demonstrating efficacy of the drug in vivo Overall, this work makes a strong case for pursuing berberine as a potential anti-CHIKV therapeutic compound and for exploring the MAPK signaling pathways as antiviral targets against alphavirus infections.

Study Type : Animal Study

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