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Gold Nanoparticles Impair Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Replication
Abstract:
In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) against the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), that causes a contagious disease in cloven-hoofed animals. The anti-FMDV activity of AuNPs was assessed using plaque reduction assay. MTT assay was used for quantitatively measuring the cytopathic effect caused by the viral infection. The 50% cytotoxicity concentration of nanoparticles was measured and found to be 10.4 μg/ml. The virus yield reduction assay showed that AuNP have an approximately 4-fold virus titer reduction compared with controls. Plaque reduction assay showed that at non-cytotoxic concentrations, AuNPs do not show extracellular virucidal activity and inhibition of FMDV growth at the early stages of infection including attachment and penetration. Time-of-addition experiments revealed that AuNPs inhibited post-entry stages of viral replication concomitant with the onset of intracellular viral RNA synthesis; however, the mechanism of AuNPs against FMDV was unclear.
Insights
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) show antiviral potential against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) by reducing viral titers. AuNPs inhibit post-entry viral replication stages, though the exact mechanism remains unclear.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Virology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes significant economic losses in livestock.
- Antiviral therapies for FMDV are limited.
- Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have demonstrated various biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antiviral activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) against the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV).
- To determine the mechanism of AuNP action against FMDV replication.
Main Methods:
- Plaque reduction assay to assess anti-FMDV activity.
- MTT assay to measure cytopathic effects and determine cytotoxicity (50% cytotoxicity concentration = 10.4 μg/ml).
- Virus yield reduction assay and time-of-addition experiments to investigate viral replication inhibition.
Main Results:
- AuNPs achieved an approximate 4-fold reduction in FMDV titer.
- At non-cytotoxic concentrations, AuNPs did not exhibit extracellular virucidal activity or inhibit early FMDV infection stages (attachment, penetration).
- AuNPs inhibited post-entry viral replication, coinciding with intracellular viral RNA synthesis onset.
Conclusions:
- Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess antiviral properties against FMDV.
- AuNPs interfere with intracellular FMDV replication post-entry.
- The precise mechanism of AuNP antiviral activity against FMDV requires further investigation.
