Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
CONCLUSION
The results presented in this work demonstrate a clear, dose dependent cytotoxic and
antiviral effect of RV: cytotoxicity at high concentration of the drug both on normal
and tumor cells. On the other hand at low concentration, the continuous presence in
the culture medium is necessary for the drug to be effective. The target of RV is the
replication of viral DNA; however further studies are required for the full elucidation
of the inhibitory mechanism mediated by RV leading to the abrogation of the viral
DNA synthesis. This effect was demonstrated in the absence of significant cytotoxic
effects induced by the drug. Removal of RV at short time after infection does not have
a significant effect on the production of viral progeny DNA and this suggests that the
viral penetration is not the main target of the drug. Therefore we may conclude that
the RV dependent inhibition of the viral proliferation occurs at subsequent stages: pos-
sibly during translocation of the virion from cytoplasm to nucleus.
Finally this work gives a further support to the possibility that RV may fi nd a
potential clinical use for the control of proliferative pathologies and/or as an antiviral
drug.
KEYWORDS
•
Cytotoxicity
•
Murine polyomavirus
•
Polyomavirus DNA
•
Resveratrol
AUTHORS' CONTRIBUTIONS
All Authors equally contributed to the completion of this work.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Financial support by the Italian Ministry of Education and Sigma-Tau is acknowl-
edged (grants to GR). The collaboration of Michela Di Nottia in performing some
experiments is also acknowledged. The graphic elaboration of the figures by Riccardo
Risuleo is also acknowledged.
