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09:29
Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Antiviral activities in human saliva
D Malamud1, W R Abrams, C A Barber
1Department of Basic Sciences, NYU College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA. daniel.malamud@nyu.edu
Advances in Dental Research
|March 29, 2011
Summary
Human saliva contains antibacterial and antiviral proteins, including gp340 (salivary agglutinin). This protein inhibits HIV-1 and influenza A in saliva but promotes HIV-1 infection when cell-bound in the reproductive tract.
Area of Science:
- Oral biology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Human saliva possesses numerous proteins with antibacterial and antiviral properties.
- Many antibacterial proteins in saliva also exhibit antiviral activity against specific viral pathogens.
- The glycoprotein gp340 (salivary agglutinin) is a key protein interacting with both bacteria and viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the antibacterial and antiviral proteins in human saliva.
- To focus on the dual role of gp340 in oral and reproductive health.
- To explore the mechanisms of gp340's interaction with bacteria and viruses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on salivary proteins.
- Analysis of gp340's function in different biological contexts.
- Examination of gp340's binding and aggregation properties with bacteria and viruses.
Main Results:
- Most antibacterial salivary proteins also show antiviral activity.
- Soluble gp340 aggregates bacteria for clearance in the mouth but promotes adherence when tooth-bound.
- Soluble gp340 inhibits HIV-1 and influenza A infectivity in the oral cavity.
- Cell-bound gp340 in the female reproductive tract promotes HIV-1 infection.
Conclusions:
- Gp340 exhibits context-dependent functions, acting as an antiviral agent in saliva and a facilitator of viral infection when cell-bound.
- The dual role of gp340 highlights the complexity of host-pathogen interactions in different mucosal environments.
- Further research into gp340's mechanisms could inform strategies for controlling oral and reproductive tract infections.
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