Direct inactivation of viruses by MCP-1 and MCP-2, natural peptide antibiotics from rabbit leukocytes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Six homologous peptides were purified to homogeneity from rabbit granulocytes or alveolar macrophages and tested for their ability to inactivate herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Of the peptides, 2, MCP-1 and MCP-2, showed considerable in vitro neutralizing activity, whereas 4 structurally homologous peptides (NP-3a, NP-3b, NP-4 and NP-5) were relatively ineffective. Inactivation of HSV-1 by MCP-1 or MCP-2 depended on peptide concentration and on the time, temperature and pH of the incubation. HSV-2, vesicular stomatitis virus and influenza virus A/WSN were also susceptible to direct neutralization by MCP-1 or MCP-2, whereas cytomegalovirus, echovirus type 11 and reovirus type 3 were not. Thus, MCP-1 and MCP-2, peptides that are abundant in rabbit granulocytes and lung macrophages, may contribute to antiviral defenses by mediating the direct inactivation of HSV-1 and selected other viruses.