Prophylactic, therapeutic and neutralizing effects of zinc oxide tetrapod structures against herpes simplex virus type-2 infection

Abstract

The attachment of Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) to a target cell requires ionic interactions between negatively charged cell surface co-receptor heparan sulfate (HS) and positively charged residues on viral envelop glycoproteins, gB and gC. Effective blocking of this first step of HSV-2 pathogenesis demonstrates significant prophylactic effects against the viral disease; any in vitro therapeutic effects of blocking this interaction, however, are not clear. Here, we provide new evidence that zinc oxide tetrapod micro-nanostructures synthesized by flame transport approach significantly block HSV-2 entry into target cells and, in addition, demonstrate the potential to stop the spread of the virus among already infected cells. The zinc oxide tetrapods (ZnOTs) also exhibit the ability to neutralize HSV-2 virions. Natural target cells such as human vaginal epithelial and HeLa cells showed highly reduced infectivity when infected with HSV-2 virions that were pre-incubated with the ZnOTs. The mechanism behind the ability of ZnOTs to prevent, neutralize or reduce HSV-2 infection relies on their ability to bind the HSV-2 virions. We used fluorescently labeled ZnOTs and GFP-expressing HSV-2 virions to demonstrate the binding of the ZnOTs with HSV-2. We also show that the binding and hence, the anti-viral effects of ZnOTs can be enhanced by illuminating the ZnOTs with UV light. Our results provide new insights into the anti-HSV-2 effects of ZnOT and rationalize their development as a HSV-2 trapping agent for the prevention and/or treatment of infection. The observed results also demonstrate that blocking HSV-2 attachment can have prophylactic as well as therapeutic applications.

ZnO Tetrapods: Synthesis and Applications in Solar Cells

“…A ZnO tetrapod consists of a ZnO core from which four arms extend to the surrounding space at the same extent, which endows them with the ability to assemble a good network with desired the porosity and mechanical strength by connecting arms with each other. This material is often used as a reinforcing material in composite materials [8,9], and it has already proved to have promising applications in biomedical engineering and advanced linking technologies [10,11]. The electron mobility is ~17 cm for single-crystal ZnO nanowires, and it is similar in ZnO tetrapods [12].…”

Phytoextract-mediated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using aqueous leaves extract of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L).R.br revealing its biological properties and photocatalytic activity

“…ZnO was an important photocatalyst due to its unique advantages and using semiconductors photocatalysts for the removal of organic pollutants in wastewater [23]. The photocatalytic effects of ZnO are being exploited for use within self-cleaning paints, in environmental remediation applications and prophylactics with nanoparticle and colloidal suspensions demonstrating high photodegradation efficiency for organic compounds [24]. In photocatalytic reactions, the semiconducting materials can use sunlight energy to degrade organic pollutants into nontoxic compounds in aqueous solution, viewing considerable potentials for purifying dye-contaminated water as a green system [25].…”

Versatile Fabrication of Complex Shaped Metal Oxide Nano-Microstructures and Their Interconnected Networks for Multifunctional Applications

“…The ZnO tetrapod and multipode structures can be harvested and can be utilized accordingly for desired applications. The ZnO tetrapods have shown promising applications, as antiviral agents 60,61) , in advanced linking ]. technology 64) and designing self-reporting composites 65) .…”

“…These FTS synthesized metal oxide nanomicrostructures have already shown promising applications in different directions [60][61][62][63][64][65][66] . ZnO nanoseaurchin and tetrapod type structures grown by FTS approach exhibit strong potential of blocking the viral (herpes simplex virus type-1 and type-2) entry into the cells 60,61) . The submicron size tetrapods can be utilized for advanced linking technologies 64) and designing multifunctional composites, e.g., new concept of self-reporting material 65) .…”